02/09/2016 (Agence Europe) – Concerned by the climate of rising tension and violent clashes following elections in Zambia, the European Union called on Thursday 1 September for “all stakeholders, in particular the two main political parties, (to) engage in dialogue and reconciliation and await calmly the outcome of the complaints and appeals process”, after the outcome of the presidential election of 11 August was challenged. Following the suspension of several audiovisual media organisations, the press release issued by the spokesperson for the European External Action Service notes that “independent media is a key element of any democratic and pluralistic society”. The outcome of the election, which was won by incumbent President Edgar Lungu, was challenged by the United Party for National Development (UPND) which claims the count was rigged. The EU is awaiting the recommendations of its electoral observation mission. (AN)