OVER the past weeks, Zambia has continued to receive brothers and sisters fleeing violence in Burundi.
More than 300 have arrived, among them children and women, who are most vulnerable whenever civil unrest surfaces in any country.
Zambia is a haven of peace and many seeking asylum as is the case with the Burundese, will continue to travel thousands of kilometers to reach the country’s borders, in search of shelter and new beginnings.
The country has hosted thousands of refugees over the past years and this is no different scenario.
However, various lessons have been learnt in the manner the country hosts foreigners seeking refuge in the past.
President Edgar Lungu arrived back home from South Africa last evening and stated that Government will render the necessary support to the asylum seekers but he noted that the insurgency in Burundi is an offshoot of bad governance.
African countries should learn by now that any attempts to usurp Constitutions to suit ones desire has grave consequences on the economy and the people.
These violent incidences also have a bearing on neighbouring countries that host the refugees but it is a culture in Africa and everywhere, that one’s problem is also a burden to the neighbour and this is the
case once again. Sad as it may be, it is reality.
Riots have erupted in Burundi’s capital over the president’s Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision to stand for a third electoral term, raising fears that violence could become ethnicised.
On April 25, Burundi’s leading political party, CNDD-FDD endorsed president Nkurunziza as their candidate in the national election on June 26. This meant Mr Nkurunziza would be standing for a third term, despite the constitution only allowing a president to be elected for two terms.
Reports suggest that at least 12 people have been killed in the protests. The United Nations estimates that nearly 40, 000 refugees have fled into neighbouring Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last month, while some have entered Zambia.
President Lungu notes that it is important for Zambians to embrace peace – which is a very fragile gift from the Creator.
It is vital, as the President pointed out, to learn from the disturbances taking place to ensure the country’s citizens co-exist in as much as they can differ in various aspect, co-existence is cardinal.
The message by Mr Lungu is not only for Zambians, it is wise to follow such words even beyond the country’s borders.
There is more harm than good, in ignoring words of wisdom.
The eastern and central African region has seen enough skirmishes and lost lives.
An intervention that will guarantee the immediate return to peace is urgently needed, to avoid the country reaching uncontrollable levels of civil disorder and at the same time affecting neighbouring
countries and the continent as a whole.
The upheaval in Burundi has to be stopped and African leaders should voice their concern as loudly as possible.
Africa should not continue to be a place of disorder, underdevelopment or any other negativity that dents its image. the continent should be an example of civilized people just like other parts of the world. OPINION