Lusaka, Zambia
Zambian President Edgar Lungu has ordered the deployment of the military to quell electoral violence ahead of the August 12 elections, the head of state said on Sunday.
Pockets of violence have been reported in
the Zambian capital Lusaka as well as northern, southern and Muchinga provinces
where supporters of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and the United Party for
National Development (UPND) opposition have clashed using machetes, axes,
slashers, catapults and other objects.
“In order to curb the political violence
we have witnessed in the past two days, I have allowed
the Zambia Army, Zambia air force and Zambia
national service to help the Zambia police in dealing with the
security situation,” Lungu said.
Even though the Electoral Commission
has banned rallies because of the coronavirus, clashes between opposing
political parties have overwhelmed the police.
“Maintaining law and order is a daily
chore of the police but sometimes they need help from other security wings,”
Lungu said.
The government of the southern African
nation has grown increasingly intolerant of dissent since Lungu replaced
Michael Sata after his death in 2014, rights watchdog Amnesty International said
in a report.
Lungu, 64, is running for a second term
in the August 12 election as the copper-rich country battles economic woes.
Lungu’s main rival Hakainde Hichilema has
been detained several times since he started contesting the top job.
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