AASU Decries Arrest, Detention of Elias Gabriel Banda & Other University of Zambia Students’ Unionists
The All-Africa Students’ Union (AASU) has condemned the arrest and detention of student unionists by Zambian police amid union elections.
The African student body, in a statement signed by the Executive Director to its President, Mr Abrhaley Arefaine Hailenchael, requested Zambian Authorities “to intervene immediately and see that the Comrades do not remain detained in Kanakantapa Police Station while their Students’ Union elections are held at their disadvantage.”
Hailenchael in the statement said, “I have the instructions of the President of The All-Africa Students’ Union – H.E. Osisiogu Osikenyi E., to convey our concern and express interest in the case of arrest and Detention of Elias Gabriel Banda, a former Student Leader and erstwhile President of the University of Zambia Student Union (UNZASU) during the 2021/2022 Academic year, who has been allegedly arrested and charged in connection with recent riots at the University of Zambia (UNZA); sequel to the stance of the Zambian National Students’ Union ZANASU on the matter.
“Similarly are the cases of Chawezi Muwowo, a first-year Economics Student; Kennedy Banda, a fourth-year Student studying Project Management; Kizito Banda, a second-year student studying Civil engineering; and Masho Kapembwa Mulenga, a third-year Law Student and Gift Kambela, all of the University of Zambia.
“We demand that “Police and other State Actors must exercise restraint in playing roles in matters that show significant interference with democratic process of Students’ Union elections” at all levels; eschew any form of intimidation that sends a message of fear and repression to young people who aspire to participate in leadership roles”, the statement noted.
Further decrying the development, AASU lamented that “it is sad to note that that Comrade and others remains detained following Police denial to give him bond despite meeting the bond condition; whereas the onus of confidence building in the Police by the citizens must be a priority for policing best practice.
“We therefore request Zambian Authorities to intervene immediately and see that the Comrades do not remain detained in Kanakantapa Police Station while their Students’ Union elections are held at their disadvantage”, the statement concluded.
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