The Zambia Interfaith Networking Group ZINGO, and The Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light HWPL, an international peace NGO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding MOU for peace cooperation to present religion as a standard to maintain unity as the country nears the general elections.
For Zambia which is long regarded among the leading examples of democracy and peace in Africa, this MOU will strengthen social cohesion ahead of its 2026 general elections through proactive cooperation between the religious community and the international peace sector.
Zambia has long maintained social stability and unity under the national value of “One Zambia, One Nation.”
However, election periods are also times when political differences tend to surface, making societies more vulnerable to heightened tensions and divisions.
In a society like Zambia, where religion holds significant social influence, faith can serve as a force for unity, but if politicized, it also carries the risk of becoming a source of conflict.
Against this backdrop, religious leaders agreed through this MOU to proactively present religion as a standard for unity rather than division ahead of the election period.
The agreement also reflects a shared commitment to channel the heightened social energy of the election season toward constructive civic participation, setting a benchmark for a peaceful and inclusive electoral culture.
ZINGO has long served as a key platform facilitating dialogue between religious leaders, government institutions, and civil society in a country where religion plays a central role in social cohesion.
In this context, the agreement is widely regarded as the starting point of a public–private peace cooperation model, channeling the influence of religious leadership into a positive force for long-term national stability.
Through this agreement, the two organizations plan to put into practice the core principles of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War DPCW in ways that reflect Zambia’s local context.
In particular, the spirit of the DPCW which upholds freedom of religion and respect for identity (Articles 8 and 9) and calls for spreading a culture of peace through education (Article 10)—underscores that religion should serve not as a source of conflict, but as a strong foundation for social integration.
The signing ceremony drew strong national attention, with government officials, education sector representatives, and members of the media in attendance.
Sheikh Ali Musa Ayami, who delivered remarks at the event on behalf of Sheikh Yussuf Ayami, Team Leader of the Family Development Initiatives FDI highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating that “the partnership between HWPL and ZINGO is deeply encouraging.”
He added, “ZINGO represents the strength of interfaith engagement, where different religious traditions choose dialogue over division, while HWPL brings a global commitment to peace that transcends borders, beliefs, and backgrounds. Together, this collaboration sends a powerful message—that faith, when guided by wisdom and sincerity, can be a force for unity rather than separation.”
The presence of young people who are the future leaders of the nation added further significance to the event.
The youth stood as living witnesses to the moment when religious leaders pledged their commitment to a peaceful society.
This scene powerfully symbolized the resolve of today’s leaders to pass on a safe, stable, and prosperous nation to the next generation.
Looking ahead, the two organizations plan to pursue practical cooperation to ensure peace takes root in everyday life through activities such as peace education for preschool children and local youth, and extending universal values of peace to out-of-school and marginalized communities.
Other activities include the promotion of interfaith understanding through initiatives such as the International Religious Peace Academy IRPA, fostering a culture of mutual respect.
Community-level peacebuilding, with religious leaders acting as facilitators who prevent local conflicts and promote social harmony is also being encouraged.
An HWPL Zambia Branch representative stated, “Zambia’s proactive commitment to peace can serve as a model for the global community.
