As Zambia’s economic crisis worsens and Hichilema resorts to silencing the revelation of the truth, the likelihood of Edgar Lungu’s comeback grows, reflecting the people’s call for leadership that values accountability and true public service over political suppression.
By Mpandashalo Mwewa.
Lusaka, Nov. 10 – While President Hichilema may indeed be intelligent, the decision to parade Ms. Chipo Mwanawasa to dispel rumours about her pregnancy – or his apparent assumption that Zambians lack the discernment to grasp the true dynamics behind the Patriotic Front leadership disputes between Sampa and Chabinga – casts a preposterous shadow over his judgment. Zambians are discerning a shift in the political winds, where the possibility of Edgar Lungu’s return no longer seems speculative but rather an increasingly likely response to the public’s call for accountability and leadership that genuinely prioritizes the nation’s welfare over political maneuvering.
Also Read: Botswana’s Political Earthquake: The Fall of Masisi and a Warning for Hichilema. Masisi’s defeat, driven by his focus on vindictive politics over addressing economic and employment issues, stands as a warning to Zambia’s Hichilema: neglecting the real needs of the people in favour of political grudges risks nothing but a humiliating downfall.
The people of Zambia did not elect President Hakainde Hichilema to pursue personal vendettas or silence opposing voices, yet his administration increasingly seems driven by a punitive agenda. Despite campaigning on a platform of integrity and prosperity, Hichilema has, disappointingly, ushered in a period of political retribution, targeting his perceived adversaries rather than addressing the nation’s pressing economic and social issues.
At the core of Zambia’s current troubles is a struggling economy, exacerbated by poor leadership decisions that prioritize loyalty over expertise. Hichilema’s administration has replaced qualified civil servants with political affiliates lacking the skill to drive meaningful progress. This governance failure has weakened critical institutions, fueling economic hardships that the government’s propaganda machine cannot mask. Rising costs of basic goods like mealie meal, now unaffordable for many, expose the widening gap between promises and reality.
In an attempt to prevent citizens from confronting this economic downturn, Hichilema’s administration has resorted to clamping down on freedom of speech. Journalists and social media activists voicing public grievances are met with arrests, while opposition rallies are nonexistent. The government’s efforts to buy off independent media only further highlight its desperation to manage a narrative that no longer holds credibility with the Zambian people.
This authoritarian streak was starkly evident when authorities attempted to obstruct former President Edgar Lungu’s participation in the launch of the Tonse Alliance. Despite the blockades, Lungu’s virtual attendance underscored the resilience of the opposition, which outsmarted the police’s physical restrictions. Such futile tactics expose the administration’s inability to contain the groundswell of discontent that continues to build.
Also Read: Tonse Alliance Launch Cancellation Casts Doubt on Hichilema’s Commitment to Multiparty Democracy. The Tonse Alliance launch has suffered a major blow following demands by the owners of the venue for a Permit that the Zambia Police Service is believed to have been ordered not to issue.
Attempts to obscure Hichilema’s shortcomings through propaganda only intensify public frustration. Zambians, battling relentless economic challenges, see through these efforts. Daily hardships, like inflated costs and failing social services, persist as concrete evidence of unfulfilled promises. Meanwhile, the administration’s online supporters struggle to justify its actions amid worsening living standards and frequent power outages which have adverse effects on broadband Internet service delivery.
Zambians are discerning and increasingly unwilling to settle for unfulfilled promises and blame-shifting.
The example of U.S. politics offers a clear lesson: citizens can see beyond propaganda when economic realities hit home. Just as American voters disregarded anti-Trump narratives in favour of personal economic experience, Zambians recall the relative affordability of life under former President Lungu, contrasting it with today’s hardships. This dissonance is unmistakable and unlikely to be softened by government rhetoric.
Also Read: Lungu Hails Trump’s Comeback, Warns Against Lawfare Blocking Candidates’ Right to Run. Former President Edgar Lungu congratulates Donald Trump’s election victory and urges global democracies to reject lawfare, advocating for fair competition and candidates’ freedom to stand without judicial obstruction.
Censoring social media and labeling dissent as criminal will not mitigate the palpable anger. Across the continent, leaders like Weah and Masisi learned that suppressing public outcry only deepens opposition. Hichilema should consider that clamping down on citizen voices, especially through outdated public order laws, is an approach that has failed elsewhere.
Zambians are discerning and increasingly unwilling to settle for unfulfilled promises and blame-shifting. Their growing awareness reflects a collective desire for genuine change. As Hichilema’s administration stumbles, the return of Edgar Lungu no longer appears as speculation but a mounting likelihood, signaling a broader demand for accountability and leadership that prioritizes national welfare over political power.
Also Read: Opposition Leadership: For the People, Not at Their Expense. Examining Dr. Chitalu Chilufya’s call for political leadership that champions dialogue and service for the nation, rather than one using the struggles of ordinary Zambians for self serving political ambitions.
About The Author: Mpandashalo Mwewa, currently the Chief Editor at Woodpecker’s Digest, formerly held the same role at Zambia Reports. Known for championing Pan-African education reforms with a focus on critical thinking, he employs journalism to instigate social transformation.
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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