ZAMBIA: President Lungu Condemns Attacks on Foreign National
 |
| H.E. Edgar Lungu, Zambian President (In Blue Shirt) Visiting Refugees at St. Ignatius Catholic Parish in Lusaka |
Over 200
refugees mainly Rwandese, Burundese and Congolese have taken shelter at St.
Ignatius Catholic parish in Lusaka after sporadic riots erupted on suspicions
that foreign nationals are behind the ritual murders that happened around the
Zambian capital Lusaka.
refugees mainly Rwandese, Burundese and Congolese have taken shelter at St.
Ignatius Catholic parish in Lusaka after sporadic riots erupted on suspicions
that foreign nationals are behind the ritual murders that happened around the
Zambian capital Lusaka.
Recently,
Lusaka has had people being killed by suspected rituals murders slicing off
genitals, ears and removing hearts from such victims which is said to be used
as fetishes to grow business especially by foreign nationals.
Lusaka has had people being killed by suspected rituals murders slicing off
genitals, ears and removing hearts from such victims which is said to be used
as fetishes to grow business especially by foreign nationals.
Rumours went
round in densely populated communities of Lusaka that the police had arrested a
foreign national in connection with the killings that is what sparkled violence
when the communities vented their anger on Rwandese, Burundese and Congolese
nationals operating grocery shops in Lusaka.
round in densely populated communities of Lusaka that the police had arrested a
foreign national in connection with the killings that is what sparkled violence
when the communities vented their anger on Rwandese, Burundese and Congolese
nationals operating grocery shops in Lusaka.
However, the
police denied ever arresting any foreign national in relation to the killings
but said they arrested one for conduct likely to cause the breach of peace.
police denied ever arresting any foreign national in relation to the killings
but said they arrested one for conduct likely to cause the breach of peace.
President
Edgar Lungu who visited the refugees at St. Ignatius parish on Thursday, 21st April,
spoke of the collective shame of the nation at the recent criminal attacks on
some foreign nationals in the wake of recent ritual murders.
Edgar Lungu who visited the refugees at St. Ignatius parish on Thursday, 21st April,
spoke of the collective shame of the nation at the recent criminal attacks on
some foreign nationals in the wake of recent ritual murders.
The
president said that he was ashamed that some of his citizens can take to such
criminality to attack foreigners.
president said that he was ashamed that some of his citizens can take to such
criminality to attack foreigners.
“I take
full responsibility on behalf of the Zambian people. I also assure you of full
protection and security of your person and property.”
full responsibility on behalf of the Zambian people. I also assure you of full
protection and security of your person and property.”
The
President emphasized that the senseless violence in some parts of Lusaka are
acts criminality rather than xenophobic.
President emphasized that the senseless violence in some parts of Lusaka are
acts criminality rather than xenophobic.
The
President said he will work with the UN and the Church to resolve the matter.
President said he will work with the UN and the Church to resolve the matter.
United
Nations Resident Coordinator Janet Rogan and UNHCR Representative Laura
Locaastro and the Catholic Priest Fr. Charles Chilinda, SJ, accompanied the
President.
Nations Resident Coordinator Janet Rogan and UNHCR Representative Laura
Locaastro and the Catholic Priest Fr. Charles Chilinda, SJ, accompanied the
President.
By Mwenya Mukuka, Communications Officer ZEC
