President Edgar Lungu has called for a government of national unity in Congo DR, saying it will create some stability.

This is according to a statement issued by his Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda, Sunday.

President Lungu was speaking in his capacity as chairperson of the SADC organ on politics, Defense and Security.

“His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia says given the strong objections to the provisional results of the presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has called on all political leaders to consider a negotiated political settlement for an all-inclusive government. And SADC encourages all stakeholders in the DRC to pursue a negotiated political settlement for a government of national unity,” Chanda stated.

Chanda stated that President Lungu felt a government of national unity was the best way to go for that country.

“SADC draws the attention of the Congolese politicians to similar arrangements that were very successful in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya where governments of national unity created the necessary stability for durable peace,” Chanda quoted President Lungu as saying.

“SADC therefore encourages all parties to enter into a apolitical process towards a government of national unity in order to enhance public confidence, build bridges and reinforce democratic institutions of government and electoral process for a better Congo”

Chanda stated that SADC had urged DRC authorities to swiftly resolve all elements of doubt that could undermine the fairly successive general elections and pose a danger to the peace and stability of the country and that SADC had taken note of the strong doubts cast on the poll outcomes by the Roman Catholic Church in the DRC which deployed 40,000 monitors, the opposition ‘Lamuka coalition, and the observers and therefore, feels a recount would provide the necessary re-assurance to both winners and losers.

“It is therefore imperative that at this crucial moment, all DRC politicians commit to actions and process that do not escalate tension any further. SADC expresses solidarity with the government and the people of the DRC for organising a relatively successful election that inspires hope that the country was on a path towards democratic consolidation,” stated Chanda.