“I salute you”: Zambia’s Former President Lauds Caritas Officials for Addressing Country’s “various important issues”

Lusaka, 11 July, 2024 / 3:47 PM

The immediate former president of Zambia, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has commended officials of Caritas in the country for the initiatives they have taken with commitment to address “various important issues” in the Southern African nation.

In his address following a statement on the state of the nation that the Caritas Directors released after a three-day meeting that was organized under the theme, “Let Justice Flow”, Mr. Lungu thanked members of the Commission of Integral Human Development (IHD) for raising their voices against injustices in the Southern African nation.

“I wish to commend the Caritas IHD Commission Directors from all the Archdioceses and Dioceses of Zambia for taking yet another bold step in addressing various important issues affecting our country today,” Mr. Lungu said the message that was published on his Facebook wall on July 9.

The former Zambian president, who was at the helm of the country from 2015 to 2021 further said, “Caritas IHD Commission has continuously demonstrated its commitment to this noble task, without fear or favor by bravely engaging with injustices and promoting human rights and dignity for all Zambians. I salute you!”

He went on to acknowledge with appreciation Zambia’s traditional leaders, saying that they too have denounced injustices and advocated for human rights alongside Caritas officials in the country. 

Mr. Lungu called upon all other groups to look to Caritas Zambia for inspiration, saying they should “take a leaf from the good leadership shown by the Caritas IHD Commission as well as some of our chiefs and condemn the ugly faces of injustices, selective justice, tribalism, regionalism, discrimination and state oppression of our people.”

“Remember, if Zambians fail to speak against injustices today, no one will speak for Zambia tomorrow!” he warned.

Mr. Lungu further said, “One thing is clear, if we unite and democratically fight together, we can make a greater and meaningful impact to ensure justice truly flows like a river throughout our nation regardless of one's status, geographical location, or political affiliation.”