EUROPE MUST STOP LECTURING AFRICA: ZAMBIA WILL SPEAK FOR HERSELF
The European Parliament’s resolution concerning Zambia demands a firm response. Europe must stop approaching Africa as though Africa is permanently seated in a classroom waiting to be taught democracy, governance and human rights. Zambia is a sovereign African Republic. Our institutions, laws and constitutional processes deserve the same respect European nations demand for themselves.
I speak as President of the United Progressive People (UPP) and as a member of the UPND Alliance Council of Presidents. I am not the spokesperson of the Alliance or of the Government of the Republic of Zambia. Where I state UPP policy, I speak for UPP. Those positions must not be attributed to President Hakainde Hichilema, the Government or our fellow UPND Alliance partners.
Europe’s engagement with Africa cannot be divorced from history. Where were these lectures about human dignity during the centuries of the slave trade? Where were they during colonialism? European powers assembled at the Berlin Conference of 1884 – 85 and proceeded with the partition of Africa without Africans determining the boundaries being imposed upon them. Communities, kingdoms, economic corridors and peoples were divided by decisions taken thousands of kilometres away
Katanga is one example. UPP’s position is unequivocal. Much of Katanga is part of Zambia. Colonial boundary making separated territories and peoples whose geography and history cannot simply be erased by lines drawn by European powers. Today, Zambia continues living with the consequences. The Congo Pedicle cuts into Zambia between the Copperbelt and Luapula, creating the extraordinary situation in which Zambians travelling between parts of their own country through that route encounter international border formalities.
Let me emphasise this so that nobody deliberately misrepresents my statement. This position on Katanga is UPP policy. It is not UPND Alliance policy and it is not a statement of Government policy. I mention it here because it demonstrates the continuing consequences of European decisions imposed upon Africa.
Look at the Democratic Republic of Congo. Look at Sudan. Look across a continent enormously rich in copper, cobalt, diamonds, gold and other strategic minerals, but scarred by conflicts in which ordinary Africans have paid the greatest price. As Africans kill themselves, the West keeps shipping blood diamonds out of warring countries. Africa must increasingly convert its own natural wealth into industrialisation, technology, infrastructure, employment and prosperity for Africans
The relationship between Africa and Europe must consequently change. Africa cannot remain perpetually dependent upon aid while exporting raw materials and importing finished products at multiples of their original value. As Dambisa Moyo argued in Dead Aid, the continent must confront dependency and build economic relationships based increasingly upon investment, production, trade and African agency.
On Zambia, law enforcement is not synonymous with political repression. The fact that somebody is a politician does not place that person beyond the reach of the law. Equally, where allegations of unlawful conduct by state institutions arise, they must be properly examined and accountability must follow where wrongdoing is established. The standard must be evidence and law, not political identity.
President Hakainde Hichilema deserves the support of Zambians as he begins his second term. UPP’s position is that the Presidency of the Republic must be respected, defended and protected as an institution. We will not support a repetition over the next five years of conduct that, in our view, sought to undermine the dignity and authority of the Presidency between 2021 and 2026. Political disagreement is legitimate in a democracy, but contempt for constitutional institutions is something entirely different.
When President Hichilema formally welcomed UPP into the UPND Alliance, we stated our position clearly. We had come not merely to join an alliance, but to play our part in protecting the Presidency and supporting Zambia’s stability. We stand by that commitment. Protecting the Presidency means defending the constitutional office, democratic order and stability of the Republic.
The economic transformation achieved since 2021 provides important context. Zambia emerged from sovereign default and severe macroeconomic distress and has recorded a substantial recovery in economic stability and growth. The IMF itself has reported that growth strengthened, international reserves were rebuilt, inflation declined substantially and agreements now cover approximately 94 percent of the external debt within the restructuring perimeter. These are substantial achievements, notwithstanding the serious challenges that remain.
UPP therefore believes that the next five years must be about protecting stability and accelerating development. President Hichilema’s first term demonstrated what determined economic management can accomplish under extremely difficult circumstances. His second term must now be judged by what Zambia can build upon those foundations, namely, more jobs, greater industrialisation, increased production, stronger infrastructure and rising prosperity for our people.
The European Parliament should also appreciate that Zambia’s competent authorities have not yet placed every fact concerning the post election security situation into the public domain. Some matters remain under investigation. Some information cannot responsibly be disclosed while investigations are active because premature disclosure can compromise operations, expose sources or prejudice subsequent proceedings.
I have no doubt that, following the necessary consultations, one of the incoming ministers responsible for Home Affairs and Internal Security, Defence, or Information and Media, the latter also carrying the responsibility of Chief Government Spokesperson, will issue a comprehensive statement setting out the Government’s position and the relevant facts. The Government must be afforded the opportunity to do so.
There are matters that cannot responsibly be discussed publicly at this stage. Investigations must be allowed to proceed, evidence must be secured, and matters that could become sub judice must not be prejudiced. When the appropriate Government statement is issued, the country and the international community will be in a better position to consider the full factual record rather than conclusions reached before that record has been presented.
The European Parliament is entitled to debate developments in Zambia. Zambia is equally entitled to challenge its conclusions, interrogate the evidence upon which they are based and insist that judgments about our country are not reached before Zambia’s own competent institutions have placed the relevant facts before the public. Partnership cannot mean Europe speaks and Africa listens. Partnership cannot mean Europe judges and Africa explains herself. The relationship must be one of equals.
Africa is not Europe’s pupil. Africa is the cradle of humanity, an immense continent endowed with extraordinary human and natural resources. What Africa requires is leadership capable of transforming those resources into prosperity for its people. Zambia must play its part in building that Africa. We welcome friendship. We welcome cooperation. We welcome scrutiny based upon verified facts, but we will never surrender our sovereign responsibility to govern ourselves under our own Constitution and laws.
Africa must speak for herself. Africa must trade for herself. Africa must industrialise for herself. Africa must determine her own future.
Zambia Forward, TOGETHER in UNITY 🇿🇲
Saviour Chishimba
President
United Progressive People (UPP)
UPND Alliance Partner