From the Times of Zambia, Monday, October 27, 2008, pg. 6:One peaceful Zambia
IN these heated political times, let us not forget the history of peace and harmony all Zambians can be proud of.
This week, October 27 to November 2, besides being election week, is also the Global Week of Action to Ban Cluster Bombs.
To this day, seven out of Zambia’s nine provinces are contaminated by landmines and other explosive remnants of war. Innocent Zambians continue to bear the brunt of conflicts fought decades ago by foreign armies.
Despite this, Zambian activists are pioneering disarmament campaigns all over the world. As we speak, demining teams are active in seven provinces preparing to remove all landmines from the ground by 2011.
Two weeks ago, 42 Zambian activists gathered at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka to mobilise forces in the campaign to ban cluster bombs, which are like landmines because they indiscriminately harm civilians, especially women and children.
This December, governments from around the world will meet in Oslo, Norway to sign the groundbreaking Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Regardless of which party wins Thursday’s election, Zambia will sign the treaty, continuing the country’s proud tradition of nonviolence.
Louis Century, Zambian Campaign to Ban Landmines, Lusaka.
3 comments:
HORAY!
That is so exciting. Congrats, Lou.
Jess
Whoah! Good job!
How come I never thought of doing a massive spread since Bob knows everyone at the times?!?!?
Very good.
I'll be watching online this week for the next great elephant man leader of The Real Africa....
Thanks guys.
As it happened, I used Bob's contacts to submit the letter (Nebert emailed it to a bunch of people), but after a few days, it still wasn't published. So I resent it directly to the editor, and it was published the next morning.
Yesterday, I had training to be a volunteer election monitor with the Foundation for Democratic Processes, one of the major monitors in town. It's quite exciting! I'll be working night shifts, 9:30pm-5:30am, entering results in the "command centre" from observers around the country.
Expect drama... Zambians are peaceful people, as you know Kristin, but the gossip will be wildly violent, and I'll be sure to convey some of it soon!
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