We call upon President Hichilema to immediately organize a National Economic Indaba to address the economic turmoil that is crushing Zambians.
LUSAKA, Feb. 26 – In 2020, Hakainde Hichilema, then leader of the opposition, spoke with unwavering conviction about how a UPND government would never allow an economic mess like the one under the Patriotic Front. He confidently declared that, if faced with such a crisis, his government would rally the nation through an Economic Indaba, gathering the best minds to forge a path forward instead of engaging in trivial distractions.
Fast forward to today – the Kwacha has sunk beyond K28 to the dollar, inflation is eroding livelihoods, businesses are struggling, and ordinary citizens can barely afford the basics. And yet, the same UPND government that promised open dialogue, bold economic leadership, and solutions is now eerily silent, choosing to deflect blame rather than take decisive action.
Where is the Economic Indaba President Hichilema promised? Or was that just campaign rhetoric with no intention of being honored? Leadership is not about empty pronouncements but about integrity – keeping promises at any cost. If the UPND truly believed in the power of collective wisdom, they would have already gathered economic experts, business leaders, and key stakeholders to craft urgent solutions to our deepening crisis. Instead, they have become the very thing they once criticized – masters of excuses and inertia.
We, therefore, call upon President Hichilema and his government to immediately organize a National Economic Indaba to address the economic turmoil that is crushing Zambians. Failure to do so can only be interpreted as an admission of failure, a sign that the UPND has run out of ideas and can no longer be trusted to govern. If they cannot fulfill the same commitments they so passionately championed in opposition, then President Hichilema must step down on moral grounds and allow capable leadership to take over.
This is not about politics; this is about the survival of our economy and the credibility of our leadership. The time for excuses is over – UPND must walk the talk or step aside.
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