From Promises to Power Grabs: Is the UPND Undermining Zambia’s Democratic Future?
By Thandiwe Ketis Ngoma
Zambia’s political landscape is at a crossroads, with recent moves by the UPND government sparking widespread concerns about its commitment to democracy. Far from prioritizing the promises that brought it to power, the UPND appears fixated on weakening Zambia’s largest opposition party, the Patriotic Front (PF), through systematic, undemocratic tactics. By sidelining legitimate PF leaders and installing figures like Miles Sampa and Chabinga as proxies, the UPND is executing a calculated campaign to erase PF’s influence altogether. These actions—which include deleting established PF leaders from official records and deploying state security to stage a fabricated PF “convention”—reveal a troubling agenda that prioritizes power consolidation over democratic values.
Unprecedented Levels of Interference
The UPND’s interference in PF’s internal matters marks a dangerous, unparalleled escalation, threatening the bedrock of Zambia’s multi-party democracy. The administration’s removal of PF’s legitimate leadership from the national registry is a clear, alarming breach of democratic norms, sending shockwaves through the nation. This aggressive overreach has many Zambians wondering if the UPND intends to govern democratically at all, or if it is crafting a pathway to one-party rule under the guise of “cleaning up” the opposition. This direct assault on political pluralism doesn’t just destabilize PF; it strikes at the core of Zambian democracy, jeopardizing the rights of all citizens.
UPND’s Disregard for the Rule of Law
By engineering a fraudulent “convention” to impose Miles Sampa as PF leader, the UPND has blatantly disregarded the rule of law, using state power to impose their preferred outcome. Many PF supporters rightly view this as nothing short of a state-sponsored coup within their party—an authoritarian attempt to impose a leader who lacks legitimacy among the PF grassroots. This heavy-handed interference breeds discord, resentment, and mistrust across Zambia, as the public grows increasingly aware of the lengths to which the UPND is willing to go to cement its hold on power. This move epitomizes political oppression, where those who pose a threat to the UPND’s monopoly are removed or replaced, not through dialogue, but through outright coercion.
The Futility of Puppet Leadership
UPND’s reliance on surrogate leaders like Miles Sampa—a figure known for shifting loyalties and divisive politics—reveals a deeply flawed strategy. By forcing Sampa upon PF, the UPND has alienated the party’s dedicated base, who view him as a puppet of the ruling regime. This tactic not only drives a wedge between the PF and its grassroots supporters but also demonstrates the UPND’s profound miscalculation of PF’s resilient support network and the dedication of its members. Such heavy-handed interference is doomed to backfire, leaving lasting scars on Zambia’s political landscape and deepening the mistrust that plagues the nation’s democracy.
Erosion of Democracy and Public Trust
The UPND’s manipulative tactics—erasing PF leaders from official records and installing state-backed “leaders”—erode public trust in Zambia’s democratic institutions. Rather than fostering fair political competition, the government has embarked on a path of authoritarian interference, setting a perilous precedent that undermines Zambia’s democratic fabric. When state power is wielded to dictate leadership in opposition parties, the government signals that elections and public opinion are irrelevant, stripping Zambia’s democracy of its integrity. This manipulation leaves citizens questioning whether their voices hold weight or if Zambia is inching back toward a one-party state under UPND dominance.
Deepening Divisions and National Polarization
The UPND’s relentless pursuit of political control is not only fragmenting PF but also polarizing the entire nation. This interference has ignited toxic divisions, creating an environment ripe for bitter political rivalry and unrest. With each aggressive maneuver, the UPND widens Zambia’s political rift, embedding an “us versus them” mentality that risks long-lasting, destabilizing effects. Instead of uniting Zambians under a vision for growth and development, the UPND’s obsession with power has shifted the national focus from progress to a dangerous struggle for dominance. This hostile climate is unsustainable and threatens Zambia’s future stability.
Abandonment of Urgent National Issues
The UPND’s fixation on dismantling PF detracts from Zambia’s pressing challenges: unemployment, food insecurity, a worsening energy crisis, and a stagnant economy. While Zambians grapple with rising costs and deteriorating services, the UPND appears more invested in political gamesmanship than in the meaningful governance it promised. This neglect is a profound abdication of responsibility, leaving Zambians disillusioned and desperate for a government that places their welfare above petty power plays. As long as the UPND remains absorbed in these political struggles, the burden of neglected issues will continue to fall on the citizens of Zambia.
Legislative Manipulations and Suppression of PF
In a desperate attempt to suppress PF’s influence, the UPND-led Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) recently enacted a statutory instrument aimed at barring the PF from by-elections. This measure—requiring signatures from the Secretary-General and President of the sponsoring party—creates a procedural stranglehold on PF’s legitimate leaders, giving UPND-backed surrogates an opening to claim control. Such legislative machinations erode Zambia’s democratic principles and underscore the UPND’s willingness to go to any length to neutralize opposition voices. This level of state interference not only undermines democratic competition but exposes the government’s fierce determination to crush opposition at any cost.
The High Cost of Political Manipulation
The UPND’s campaign to dismantle PF exacts a heavy toll: eroded democratic norms, deepening political divisions, and a public increasingly disillusioned with its government. Instead of fostering healthy political discourse, the UPND has sown fear and distrust, prioritizing party dominance over national unity and stability. This internal focus and subversion of democratic institutions push Zambia further into economic uncertainty and social unrest, with citizens paying the ultimate price for their leaders’ unchecked ambitions.
A Call for Genuine Leadership
If the UPND persists on this path, it risks fracturing Zambia’s unity irreparably and forfeiting public trust altogether. Genuine leadership is not about manipulating opposition into submission; it is about addressing the critical issues affecting Zambians’ lives. The UPND was elected to bring change, progress, and unity to Zambia—not to erode the democratic foundation that upholds these values. For Zambia to prosper, the UPND must abandon its divisive tactics and embrace its responsibility to govern with integrity and prioritize the people’s welfare.
Conclusion: A Moment for Reflection and Change
The UPND’s agenda to hijack and dismantle the PF is a reckless overreach that jeopardizes Zambia’s democracy and its future stability. As the government presses on with a strategy of political suppression, PF’s grassroots supporters remain unshaken, undeterred by attempts to dismantle their party. Zambians are growing weary of these power games and demand leaders who will prioritize their welfare over political vendettas.
If Zambia is to move forward, the UPND must shift its focus from undermining opposition to effective governance. Only through genuine leadership and an unwavering commitment to democratic principles can the UPND restore public trust and lead Zambia toward a stable, prosperous future.