By Chad Kumusha
President Hakainde Hichilema says he welcomes and is not afraid of emerging political competition as the country girds for August 13 polls amid rising tension, describing it as a sign of a healthy democracy in Zambia.
Speaking during an interview with BBC Africa last night, President Hichilema said he is not having sleepless by the emergence of other presidential contenders, insisting that competition is essential in a democratic nation.
Responding to a question on whether he feels threatened by the emergence of new presidential contenders, Hichilema said he was in fact happy pointing out that political competition should be celebrated rather than feared.
“I personally am happy for democracy. This is how it should be. We need to compete for a country like Zambia. Competition should not worry anyone. It is important, and we wish our colleagues well,” he said.
He said when his administration came into office they found a broken-down country, with everything going down and made promises which they largely delivered.
“The job is not yet finished. We cannot create employment for everyone at once, but as the country continues to grow, those still waiting will also have opportunities,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema’s sentiments comes just hours after police teargassed his main challenger National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and and his running mate Makebi Zulu as they held a rally in Mongu.
The two opposition leaders had to be whisked away to safety after police started firing tear gas at them, an act which has been roundly condemned.
Following the incident, Mundubile said it is regrettable that their peaceful gathering in Mongu violently disrupted by police officers.
He maintained that citizens have every right to assemble without fear, force, or intimidation.
“Leaders were on stage speaking directly to the people, surrounded by mothers with babies, elderly citizens, and individuals with disabilities, when police fired tear gas canisters directly into the crowd.
“Firing tear gas indiscriminately into a peaceful gathering of vulnerable people shows a complete disregard for human life and basic rights,” he said.
Apparently, civil society activist Laura Miti questions President Hichilema’s ability to end political violence, arguing that the continued incidents are a result of what she describes as selective enforcement by the police.
In a statement, Miti said the Zambia Police Service has previously exhibited its ability to stop gatherings it deems undesirable and therefore has the capacity to end political violence if it chooses to do so.
She accused the police of failing to act decisively against ruling party supporters involved in violent acts because officers fear repercussions for arresting them.
“I am convinced that a police service that is known to be excellent at preventing those they don’t want to gather from gathering, can very easily prevent and address political thuggery and violence.
“My view is that, the reason we still have the violence we are seeing is because the police do not stamp down on ruling party anarchy.
“Yes, I am saying all political violence would end, if the police did not believe they would get in trouble if they arrested thugs dressed up in the color of the day.
“What opposition party cadre will run amok in an environment in which boma hooligans are scared to?
“By the way, assurance to police that they can, and must, arrest and then fully prosecute violent ruling party cadres does come via Clayson Hamasaka, on orange headed paper.
“Neither is it drawn from the handler of the Presidential FB page writing – we condemn blah blah.
“I can swear that, if, today, President Hichilema picked up the phone and, in his baritone, said to the Police IG – if I hear of one more incident of violence, don’t bother to come to work tomorrow – that would be it,” she said.
Zambia has in recent weeks registered pockets of politically motivated violence across the country, acts which many political analysts say would taint the country’s forthcoming general election.
Veteran Zimbabwean investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono in an open letter to President Hichilema warned that the naked violence by members of the ruling party, UPND, against its main challenger and opposition leader Mundubile is both embarrassing and tragic.
“It is especially tragic because when you were elected in 2021, many progressives across Africa celebrated your victory precisely because you had endured similar persecution under your predecessor, the late President Edgar Lungu.
“Many progressive Africans believed that someone who had experienced political intolerance firsthand would break that cycle, not perpetuate it. Decent people believed you would lead Zambia away from violence and towards a politics where elections are contests of ideas, not intimidation. What happened today undermines that hope.
“If you win this election under the shadow of violence, intimidation, abuse of state power, and the systematic obstruction of your opponents, it will be a victory forever tainted. Several opposition figures have already been sidelined through what many see as the misuse of state institutions.
“Now the last credible challenger is being prevented from freely campaigning and speaking to the electorate. That is not democracy, Mr. President. It is an abuse of incumbency, no different from the conduct of the Tanzanian president whose inauguration you attended after thousands of her own citizens were killed. Democracy cannot coexist with violence, intimidation, and the systematic silencing of political opponents.
“You may secure power through intimidation, just as other leaders in the region have done. But history does not honour victories won by fear and naked violence. Such victories carry no dignity and earn no respect among those who genuinely believe in democratic values, in Africa or anywhere else.
“Publicly condemn this violence if you are not behind it, Mr President. If you are behind it, you don’t have to say anything,” reads party of his letter.
Chin’ono charged that President Hichilema commands the state, adding that Zambia has a police service and security institutions like the military capable of preventing political violence.
“If your supporters continue to attack opponents while the state stands by, reasonable people will inevitably ask whether this violence is being tolerated, encouraged, or quietly sanctioned.
“Silence is not neutrality, Mr President. It is complicity and an acceptance that you are the architect just like your brother next door has been doing.
“If you believe in your record and in your mandate, then win this election fairly. Win it without violence, without intimidation, and without abusing the machinery of the state. That is what democrats do.
“A democrat is defined not by rhetoric speeches about democracy, but by conduct when power is at stake. Today, your conduct, and that of your party, raises serious questions about those democratic credentials.
“Power can be acquired through force. Respect cannot. History remembers both. Which one will it remember you for?” He concluded.
Leave a Reply