Former President Ernest Bai Koroma who was the leader of the Africa Union (AU) Elections Observer Mission to Zambia has explained to the press about the pre and post processes of the elections which took place on 12th August, 2021 in the Republic of Zambia.
During the press conference held on Saturday 21st August, 2021, in Makeni, Ernest Koroma started out by thanking “our Media friends for the incredible work they did in Zambia by promoting that country’s post presidency activities.”
He further acknowledged the AU, ECOWAS and other organisations for the honour given him to serve and the platforms they have provided for him to share his experience in peace building and consolidating and in the deepening of democracy in Africa.
He noted that the importance of briefing the local Media on his recent assignment to the Republic of Zambia – is for him to explain the mandate given to him by the African Union Commission to among other things, ensure a smooth, fair, and credible. transparent and peaceful elections in Zambia.
He informed his audience that countries like Namibia, Togo, Benin and Somaliland have all previously held elections where observation missions reported desirable outcomes.
Ernest Koroma pointed out that Zambia has been a beacon of peace, stability and democracy in Africa which had an enviable record being under considerable threat
He described the political climate in Zambia prior to the elections and how his team was able to robustly and strategically engage the key stakeholders in the elections process in line with the AU elections observation standards.
He emphasized that those consultations were with a view to protect the credibility of the elections as well as ensuring a smooth and peaceful, transition of power.
He highlighted initial engagements with critical stakeholders like the political leadership, the elections Commission, the Security Sector, Civil Society, NGOs etc and how such engagements provided journalists and his team of observers some excellent insights into the political and social environment of Zambia.
He mentioned that such highlights included experience-sharing of the war in Sierra Leone, the difficulties in building and consolidating peace and that of rebuilding the Sierra Leone broken infrastructure and keeping the country together to prevent the country from slipping back to violence; which helped in persuading the protagonists to choose compromise instead of the path they were headed.
The former President of Sierra Leone outlined his general impressions about the outcome as stated in the Preliminary Mission report on the Zambian elections with specific reference to the conduct of all stakeholders before, during and after the elections.
He noted that it is necessary to draw lessons from the Zambian experience and explained why African countries must not continue to compromise the peace, stability and progress of their nations on the altar of parochial political goals.
He laid emphasis on the fact that the national interest must supersede every other interest and that Africa, can only realize Her true potentials when Africa as a whole embrace a democratic culture that is consistent with our development aspirations.
He further noted that previous experience in elections monitoring in Namibia, Togo, Benin and Somaliland with a view to enlightening the public on the furtherance of the role of the local Media in championing democracy and good governance in Africa which cannot be underrated.
He re-echoed one of Zambia’s most famous quotes to hammer home the ideas of nationhood, tolerance, peace and progressiveness: “No country is ready for its people until its people are ready for it”.
He thanked everyone for attending the press conference and encouraged them to continue to do their best in serving the interest of the nation without fear or favour.
The Zambian elections which were held on 12th August, 2021 resulted to the incumbent President Edgar Lungo of the Patriotic Front (PF) defeated by the main opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UNDP).
Following the announcement of the results, former President Koroma informed the press that “the polls were characterized by considerable tensions which, in some parts of the country, escalated to physical standoffs and violence between supporters of the two major political parties.”
He added however that, in order to assuage the situation, he spoke on the need for Zambia political leaders and stakeholders to embrace democracy, promote national cohesion and respect for the rule of law. He added that while in Zambia, he underscored that “decisions and actions by citizens must never threaten peace, stability and national development for parochial and/or political considerations.”
Former President Koroma is also a founding member of the West African Elders Council. Before his departure from Zambia, the former President of Sierra Leone received accolades from several admirers including blog groups, citizens, statesmen and women and a host of others.
