Zambian police block opposition's press conference

Zambian police on Tuesday blocked a hotel where opposition leaders were supposed to hold a press conference.

The press conference, organized by Hakainde Hichilema and other opposition leaders, was scheduled for a hotel in Lusaka, which was however sealed off by the police.

It forced the opposition leaders to shift to the main opposition party's secretariat in another part of the city.

Television footage showed police officers manning the entrance to the hotel while others were stationed around various points. The gate was closed and heavily guarded.

A Zambian police spokesperson said the press conference was stopped as the organizers did not inform the police.

However, the main opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) said they issued a notice last week to inform the police about the planned event.

On Sunday, a youth leader from the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) warned that there would be "war" if the opposition party were allowed to hold its rally.

Meanwhile, former Zambian Vice President Nevers Mumba asked Zambian President Edgar Lungu to seek a path of peace and reconciliation instead of attempting to stop citizens from speaking and congregating.

He said opposition leaders would not be intimidated and would continue speaking out against the deeds of the current government.

Main opposition leader Hichilema also said they would not sit idle and allow the police to continue blocking their peaceful gatherings, adding that the opposition leaders would come up with a strategy to deal with the current situation.

Tensions have been high in Zambia following the disputed August 11 general elections, which the main opposition felt was stolen.

On Sunday, Lungu maintained that he was the duly elected leader of the country and that all those thinking otherwise would have to live with it. Endit