Silwimba Welcomes UPND Convention Results, Appeals for Electoral Peace”

(President of the Bishop’s Council of Zambia, Bishop Martin Suwilanji Silwimba)

By Daily News Reporter 

As Zambia edges closer to the August general elections, calls for peace and political maturity are growing louder, with religious leaders once again stepping into the national conversation.

In Lusaka, President of the Bishop’s Council of Zambia, Bishop Martin Suwilanji Silwimba, has welcomed the outcome of the United Party for National Development (UPND) general convention, which saw President Hakainde Hichilema re-elected unopposed as party leader.

Speaking to the Daily News, Bishop Silwimba described the convention outcome as a sign of continuity within the ruling party and urged members to remain united as the country prepares for a highly anticipated election season.

“Leadership comes from God, so there is need for unity in the country,” he said. “The church is here to promote peace and unity.”

His remarks come at a politically sensitive moment, with parties intensifying internal mobilization and positioning ahead of the August polls.

Bishop Silwimba further appealed to both ruling and opposition political players to ensure that the electoral period remains peaceful, warning against any form of violence or division.

“Before the general election, the church expects the opposition and the ruling party to remain in peace,” he said. “We don’t want to see confusion and violence during, before and after general elections.”

The UPND recently concluded its general convention, where delegates reaffirmed confidence in President Hichilema’s leadership ahead of the national vote. The event was widely seen as a show of internal cohesion within the ruling party.

The Bishop’s Council of Zambia, which regularly issues statements on governance and national issues, has in recent years positioned itself as a moral voice calling for dialogue, restraint, and national unity during politically charged periods.

As campaign season gathers momentum, religious voices like Bishop Silwimba’s are expected to remain central in shaping public discourse—particularly around peace, tolerance, and democratic conduct.

For many observers, his message reflects a familiar but urgent reminder: that beyond political competition lies the deeper challenge of preserving national stability before, during, and after elections.