PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says peace, unity and stability are essential for national development and must be cherished as the country heads to the general elections in three weeks.

Speaking during the Lusaka Conference Youth Sabbath Worship Service dedicated to peace, Saturday, President Hichilema commended young people for championing peace and community service.

He cited the conflict in eastern DRC as an example of the cost of prolonged instability.

“Let’s talk about the service, a service dedicated to peace, to unity in our country. That’s really satisfying to see that the young people of our church, of our country are concerned and are interested in the maintenance of peace and stability in our country. As you know I always propagate this message that peace, stability, security, unity are essential ingredients to the development agenda. To freedoms, rights, to do that which God allows us to do. As you heard in the messaging area, those who preach continue preaching because the nation is peaceful, those who farm like me can work the fields in a peaceful environment and the list goes on. Without peace, everything is gone, literally everything is gone and sometimes we God’s people don’t reflect on the importance and value of peace, we take it for granted,” he said.

“If you have the privilege to sit on regional committees, Africa committees and global committees, you understand the spots of instability around, firstly within the region. Eastern DRC for example, and that they’ve never enjoyed peace now running to 38 years. Just think of that. Women cannot take care of family in an ordinary sense, children can’t go to school, we’re talking of education. Just imagine raising a child in an environment of blood, bullets from pregnancy to birth, how the mother survives, skirts around challenges during pregnancy. The child is born, it’s supposed to go to school and at five, six, seven they have no opportunity. What do you think they become when they’re 20, 25? They’re fighting, born and bred to fight. We should cherish peace in our country”.

He said the timing of the conference was good due to the fact that the country was heading to the polls in August.

“I want to thank our people for this initiative, more importantly that you’ve chosen this particular time when in three weeks’ time or so we’ll be holding our general elections. So your timing is correct and obviously the content of this prayer day is correct. The message that has been given by our preacher, thank you for selecting that message and also understanding the importance of seeking wisdom, whoever we are and whatever our roles are in society. A fellow like me understands that message more than many think we do and appreciate it. Without seeking God’s wisdom we’re not capable of doing things we think we can do,” he said.

President Hichilema said his government would support the church’s young people in helping the less privileged.

“I can only say young people, continue gathering us in this manner. I believe other people can pick a cue from what you’re doing and what you continue to do. Without belabouring the point, I just want to express my gratitude that our youths are engaged in community service, supporting the less privileged in our society. And the structure of society is that there will be people in need at all times. We thank you for what you showed us here through the short clip. You started by showing us in the office. I’m encouraged and would like to confirm that we would like to support you, the young people, in the work that you’re doing going forward. It’s our commitment, contribution. So continue doing good for society, for God’s people,” said President Hichilema.