The President of Zambia, Edgar Lungu, has declared a state of emergency due to riots during which public properties were destroyed.



“This is not an easy decision to make, but in order to preserve peace, tranquility, safety of our citizens and national security, we had no choice but to take this decision given the events that have occurred in the recent past,” he said in a televised address on Wednesday.



The President said he has issued a statutory instrument to invoke Article 31 of the constitution which gives him powers to declare a state of emergency. The matter will however be tabled in parliament for approval by lawmakers, according to him.



Lungu said the government on several occasions warned citizens to desist from any irresponsible act and expressed sadness that this has fallen on deaf ears.



“There is no doubt in my mind that the intentions of the perpetrators of these irresponsible actions is to make the country ungoverned,” he said.


He however noted that the action will not affect any law-abiding citizens as they will be allowed to go about their daily activities.



Lungu, on Tuesday warned that the government would be forced to take necessary measures that will curtail rights of citizens because of lawlessness. It came after the burning of a busy and popular flea market in Lusaka.



The Police, last week, said they had intelligence information that some people were plotting to cause destruction to public properties.


Cc; Lalasticlala Mynd44


http://www.eyereport.com.ng/zambia-declares-state-of-emergency/

jesu

Hmmm! Crisis everywhere