MUHABI LUNGU ACCUSES HH OF DOUBLE STANDARDS OVER FOREIGN TRIPS
Senior Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance member Muhabi Lungu has accused President Hakainde Hichilema of double standards over his decision to skip the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) while undertaking a working visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In a statement dated September 29, 2026, Mr Lungu questioned the President’s decision to avoid the UNGA for the third consecutive year, citing the need to reduce government expenditure and ease the burden on taxpayers.
He argued that the subsequent UAE trip raised questions about the consistency of the government’s cost-cutting position. Mr Lungu, however, said he was not opposed to presidential travel or investment initiatives but called for transparency and consistent explanations on public spending.
He urged President Hichilema to demonstrate honesty, consistency and accountability in his leadership, saying Zambians deserve clear and truthful explanations from those in public office.
What is Muhabi insinuating? Often it is what you don’t say and not what you say that matters.
Given the two trips, I prefer UAE trip to UNGA. I prefer economics to politics. UNGA is a mere “useless talking shop”. Countless Resolutions are passed there but never followed by the Powerful Countries and sometimes vetoed by the same powerful countries in the UN Security Council. Since 1964, what has Zambia directly benefited from membership of the UN?
Hon. Felix Mutati’s explanation was clear and insightful. Even as a non-economist, I found it easy to appreciate the reasoning. Public discourse benefits greatly when opinions are informed by facts and thoughtful analysis.
So someone will prefer attending an end of year party than a business forum.What can come out of the party is nothing compared to business deals.Anyway it’s not surprising,people are still in the tantameni and pate after pate mentality.