Once fierce advocates for justice, Pilato and his fellow activists have fallen silent under the UPND government, exposing their activism as potentially self-serving rather than genuinely driven by the fight for human rights.
Lusaka, Oct. 8 – In times of political upheaval, voices that once rang out with passion and indignation can become eerily silent. Such is the case with Zambia’s once vocal human rights activists, who rallied against the Patriotic Front (PF) government, painting it as the epitome of corruption, tyranny, and social decay.
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Chief among these was Fumba Chanda, known to many as Pilato, a musician turned political crusader. Pilato’s spirited opposition to the PF regime garnered widespread attention, as he denounced the government’s alleged corruption, disregard for human rights, and its failure to uplift the common Zambian from the burden of an escalating cost of living. His activism became a rallying cry for many Zambians, who, disillusioned by PF’s governance, joined forces to campaign for change.
When the dust settled after the 2021 elections, Pilato’s chosen political force, the United Party for National Development (UPND), had won an overwhelming victory, dethroning the PF by over a million votes. This was seen as a new dawn, a breath of fresh air that promised to sweep away the ills of the past. However, it appears that victory comes at a price, and for Pilato, that price was silence.
After his vocal advocacy helped catapult the UPND to power, he and several other activists were awarded influential government positions. But, rather than continuing their watchful critique, they’ve seemingly turned a blind eye to human rights violations that now appear to be thriving under the very administration they helped install.
What is most shocking is not just the silence but the gravity of the offenses being ignored. The UPND government, it could be argued, has presided over human rights abuses that are even more severe than those seen under the PF. Yet, Pilato and his once fierce comrades have chosen to remain mute.
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The absence of their voices now is deafening, a sharp contrast to the relentless protests that dominated the PF era. It seems that, having secured a seat at the table, these activists have decided to bite their tongues and enjoy the fruits of their labour, while the very principles they fought for crumble under the weight of political expediency.
This silence begs a crucial question: were these activists genuinely fighting for human rights, or was their activism a convenient vehicle for political advancement? Their current inertia suggests that their passionate opposition may have been less about safeguarding the welfare of the Zambian people and more about securing power for themselves.
Pilato, once the embodiment of defiance, has now become a symbol of complacency – a man who fought tooth and nail to oust one regime, only to turn a blind eye when his own comrades began walking down the same treacherous path.
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True journalism must uncover the truth behind false promises, hold leaders accountable, and prioritize the nation’s needs over blind political loyalty.
Ultimately, the lesson we learn from this silence is a bitter one. Activism driven by self-interest will always falter when true principles are put to the test. The Zambian people deserve leaders and activists who will hold every government accountable, not just those they oppose. When the watchdogs of democracy fall silent, the very fabric of society begins to unravel, leaving the public to wonder if their struggle for justice was ever truly shared.
About Our Advocacy: Woodpecker’s Digest provides in-depth analyses and commentary on issues of national importance, alongside articles on personal development and health. We believe journalism can be a force for socio-economic change.
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