Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba writes:
Iron Lady of New York
I saw numerous comments urging me or daring me to take pictures with members of the Zambian Delegation attending the United Nations Heads of State and Government Summit or the High-Level Week of activities celebrating the 80th Anniversary of UN, UNGA80.
I asked them. They couldn’t!
I met members of the Zambia delegation. I also met some senior diplomats and members of civil society from Zambia. I also met some other senior Zambians.
One thing became crystal clear.Zambians are living in fear.
You will not understand how Zambians have been cowed into silence, unkown fear and fear of unintended recriminations.
Although they spoke to me, many shared a moment with me, and surprisingly shared their love for EMV, but they made it very clear, that as a member of the Opposition, they could NOT risk take a picture with me!
“Ambassador, you know the type of government and President we have. They are not only petty but also ruthless!”
For this reason, every one of them want to be, or bothers to appear to be in the good graces of government and its leader.
They don’t even want to give a whiff or appear to be mistaken or send a sense of disloyalty to the President or his government.
This made me truly sad.
It reminded me of the period I served Zambia’s Second President, Dr. Frederick Chiluba at the height of his persecution where many deserted him, but also did not want to be seen or associated with him.
This fear or exclusionery treatment was extended to me as his Spokesperson, handler and administrator.
Now I’m not an extension. I’m the one fighting government as a member of the Opposition…
Anyway…
But NOT Brenda.
Brenda Chikwe Mofya is Zambian and is the Head of the Oxfam International office in New York.
She is a renowned international development practitioner with a focus on areas including human rights, gender justice, climate change policies, and humanitarian issues.
She was not only excited to meet me inside the UN, she sat with me, took pictures with me and even dared; ” I know many are afraid, but share the pictures, tweet them, share, share! she said mischievously.
“We are Zambians, why don’t we celebrate who we are? Why are we petty? When will these narrow fights end?” she bemoaned but also reprimanded.
That’s Brenda. The Brenda I knew in Addis Ababa who dared many times to criticise me or my administration, or the government.
Brenda, always daring, always brave and always unconventional.
When we met the following day at a UN side meeting, she not only ensured that we sat together, she bothered to make sure we were photographed together.
Brenda, a fearless Zambian but the true iron lady of New York.
Good they refused to be photographed with you. That would have been a big propaganda coup. You are lying you cannot attend any meeting at UNGA. Who gave you the credentials? You are just a scrounger at UNGA. You are wasting your time fighting a battle you cannot win. Your time is past. Zambia is going forward.
I would also refuse to take a picture with you & I am a nobody. Who in their right mind can take a picture with a wanted fugitive? Emmanuel Mwamba, your brand is now associated with something that is likely to cause reputational brand. Simple, kwasila. Just come back and clear your name then we can start respecting you.
Reputational damage
I wouldn’t want a picture taken with you either. Too much of an attention seeker, Mr. Emmanuel “Goebbels” Mwamba.
Mulenga September 25, 2025 At 2:39 pm
Your comment is awaiting moderation
Who would want to take pictures with a figuitive? Mwamba you are criminal on the run. That defines you. Aborrent being to any morally upright person
As a fugitive it’s wrong to even ask, see what you have done with this one’s good will.
You people, Ba PF have no shame at all.
Awww so sorry are you crying now….
They didn’t take pictures with you because you are a CHIKALA and hopefully join rotting lungi
Who would take a picture with a heap of dung or a run away thief???
The chap doesn’t even have an accreditation card, he just wanted to crush the assembly. Self imposed exile can indeed be troubleshooting…
Taking a picture with you for what? Who are you, are you not the former Ambassador? What do Zambians have do with you? In what capacity were you at UN? You are not even supposed to be there, stop deceiving yourself, you are just wasting your time.
They greated you because we are Zambians we have that Love for each. They did not take pictures with you because they didn’t want to be part of your lies and stupidity by taking advantage of their kindness. Hope you get it. We don’t fear but have principles that we value dearly.