Edgar Lungu says to Joseph Kabila to make favorable environment for Presidential election

The Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes has urged Zambia's President Edgar Lungu in his capacity as Chairperson for the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation to continue engaging his counterpart in the DR Congo President Joseph Kabila to create a conducive environment for the December 30th Presidential election.

Boniface Chembe, the executive director of Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes opined that this would ensure transparent, peaceful and credible elections and to preserve peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region.

He noted with concern that campaigns ahead of the elections were characterized with violence leading to the postponement of the election from 23rd to 30th December 2018, Lusaka Times reported. He has also supported and welcomed the election postponement from December 23 to 30. He said that the situation was not favorable for such an undertaking.

The Independent National Election Commission postponed the election last week reminding that a warehouse fire had spoiled materials for voting arrangements. While welcoming the move, Boniface Chembe said that it will assist the Congolese freely participating in the elections. On the other hand, the country's President Edgar Lungu also expressed hope that the security situation will further develop in the Democratic Republic of Congo following the fire that damaged voting materials.