By CHUSA SICHONE –

UNITED States (US) Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz says Zambia is arguably the most successful multi-party democracy within the region.
Mr Schultz said the lead up to and conduct of the general elections this year would be crucial for Zambia.
The US envoy said that for the international community, Zambia’s elections were a representative of the country’s democracy and that as cooperating partners, the United States stood with Zambia in anticipating free, fair, and peaceful general elections in 2016.
He made the remarks on Wednesday when he participated in a Power FM Radio interview together with German Ambassador Bernd Finke and Acting British High Commissioner Lucy Joyce.
The interview focused on Zambia’s positive reputation in the region as a successful and peaceful multi-party democracy.
The three also answered questions on Zambia’s Public Order Act, cooperation with the Zambian Government and support for free, fair, and credible elections in the country.
In response to questions about claims that Western governments were interfering in Zambia’s internal affairs and about whether a visit to an opposition leader was considered an endorsement of that leader, Mr Schultz said that commenting on US elections, for example, was common and normal given the nature of the global community.
Mr Schultz referred to Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba’s recent remarks that the engagement of the diplomatic corps by all stakeholders such as political parties, including the opposition, was a normal practice in any democratic country, especially in the run-up to general elections.
He reiterated that his government met with everybody and talked to everybody.
Mr Schultz said it would be inappropriate for the US to support one party or candidate over another.
He said the US would support free, fair, and credible elections that upheld democratic standards and allowed Zambians to come together to overcome the country’s economic and other challenges.
Mr Finke said the German government’s bilateral agreements with Zambia meant that Germany did have a political agenda in the country.
He said that was not an agenda for any party, but to promote Zambia’s democracy and governance.
Mr Finke said Germany had many projects in Zambia and that, particularly during an election year, his government was interested in hearing from all stakeholders, including opposition leaders regarding developments in democracy and governance.
Ms Joyce said that the diplomats’ visit to an opposition leader “is a clear indication of the strength and maturity of the country’s democracy.”
In response to a question about the Public Order Act, the three diplomats applauded the recent announcement by Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila that the Zambian Government would review the Act and that it was accepting comments on it.