Lunte Member of Parliament writes:::

I AM SAD FOR GIVEN LUBINDA

The PF Acting President has been subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment today.

Those who abducted him, took him to unknown place, locked him up, tortured him, and did proceeded to do whatever they did have broken the law in broad daylight.

These individuals are suspected criminals and must be treated as such.

As I firmly condemn the actions of these suspected perpetrators, I equally call upon the Zambia Police to act decisively and arrest all those involved, including their sponsors.

From the quick police response in Chingola following the stoning incident, we know that the police have the capacity to swing into action.

Now that social media is awash with clear video footage of the abduction of Given Lubinda just as it was with the stoning incident the same investigative tactics deployed in Chingola should be applied here.

We remain hopeful that, one day soon, Zambia will be a country free from political violence.

Restoring EVERYTHING PATRIOTIC.
MK19.11.2025

Hon Makebi Zulu writes;

Disturbing videos of Acting Patriotic Front- PF- President, Given Lubinda being harassed and dragged by UPND cadres have been released on the internet, exposing the extent of the ruling party’s violence.

This is not an expose of anything new but proof that the UPND has always been a violent grouping that has played victim for a long while now, but can no longer sustain the facade, especially now that it has become evident that PF remains popular despite their attempts to bury it.

While the Patriotic Front rebrands from the unhealthy tag of violence, the UPND continues to expose  itself and can no longer sustain its claims of having gotten rid of cadres.

Such behavior is concerning and should not be tolerated especially as we go towards an election period.

We therefore condemn in the strongest terms, the attacks on Hon. Lubinda and challenge the UPND leadership to do the same and control their cadres if at all they do not carry out such acts with the blessing of the party.

Also, we call on the Church, NGOs, political parties and every well meaning Zambian to condemn such brutality.

Zambia is a Democracy and as such, divergent political opinions must be respected and citizens must be allowed to express their freedoms of speech, assembly and  association among others.

Violence has never solved any problems. It is however a factor that has gravely exacerbated situations from bad to worse and most nations never recover from it. Let us treasure this One Zambia, One Nation.

WHO IS PROTECTING THIS LAWLESSNESS AND DEFIANCE OF THE PRESIDENT’S DIRECTIVE AGAINST CADERISM?

To the Provincial Minister and UPND Provincial Chairman Hon Mwabashike Nkulukusa, Dr. Milner Mwanakampwe, the Permanent Secretary, the District Commissioner, and the Police Command in Central Province  Kabwe in particular.

This message is not a request. It is a demand for immediate and uncompromised action.

The violent attack on Hon. Given Lubinda by some of our own youths is an embarrassment to the party and an insult to the President’s clear directive against caderism.

This nonsense must end today. Anyone involved must be fished out, exposed, and dealt with by the full force of the law no protection, no excuses, no internal shielding.

If we allow this culture of impunity to grow, then we must not deceive ourselves when the people punish us at the ballot in 2026.

Indiscipline has killed many parties before. It will kill ours too if we continue treating it with softness.

LET ME BE VERY CLEAR.

These youths acted on their own. They did not represent the party, and they did not act with the blessings of any responsible leadership.

Their actions were reckless, criminal, and politically suicidal.

TO MY FELLOW YOUTHS IN THE UPND.

Power is not permanent. The comfort you are enjoying today can disappear overnight if you continue abusing the party’s name. Others before you behaved this same way, and today they are forgotten, struggling, and full of regret.

Do not follow them. Discipline is the only thing that will keep us in power, not violence, not intimidation, not caderism.

TO OUR NATIONAL YOUTH CHAIRMAN.

These are your structures. These are your youths. This is the moment to show real leadership, not theory.

If we fail to act decisively now, we risk losing the confidence of the citizens who still believe in President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership and vision.

This matter requires a public demonstration of order, discipline, and accountability not statements, but visible action.

Let the nation see that UPND does not tolerate lawlessness from anyone, including its own members.

Yours in service.

Hon Don Mwenda

CAN PF RISE AGAIN? THE STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL AND REBRANDING IN OPPOSITION (2021–2025)

When the Patriotic Front (PF) lost power in August 2021, it marked the end of a decade-long rule that had begun with hope and ended in disillusionment. The party that once embodied the voice of the ordinary Zambian suddenly found itself in political wilderness — leaderless, fragmented, and struggling to find relevance in a rapidly changing political landscape.

Four years later, the question that continues to linger is simple but profound: Can the PF rise again?

A Party in Disarray

In the immediate aftermath of the 2021 defeat, the PF faced an identity crisis of historic proportions. The resignation and later death of its former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu left a vacuum that deepened existing factional rivalries. Instead of uniting around a common vision for renewal, the party descended into internal chaos.

Rival factions emerged — one loyal to Given Lubinda, another to Brian Mundubile, while others rallied around Chishimba Kambwili, Makebi Zulu, and Miles Sampa. Each claimed to represent the “true PF” and to carry forward Michael Sata’s legacy.
Court battles over leadership, the suspension and expulsion of key members, and public disagreements became the order of the day. For ordinary members and sympathizers, this infighting created confusion and eroded confidence in the party’s ability to present itself as a credible alternative to the ruling UPND.

Court battles over leadership, the suspension and expulsion of key members, and public disagreements became the order of the day. For ordinary members and sympathizers, this infighting created confusion and eroded confidence in the party’s ability to present itself as a credible alternative to the ruling UPND.

The Struggle for Legitimacy and Unity

At the heart of PF’s challenge has been the failure to elect a substantive leader. Since 2021, several attempts to convene a general conference have been postponed due to internal disputes and legal wrangles. Without a unified command structure, the party’s messaging has been inconsistent and reactive, often focused more on defending its past record than presenting a fresh vision for the future.

However, within the turmoil, a quiet consensus has been emerging: that the PF must reform or perish. A growing number of party stalwarts — particularly younger members — are calling for a return to grassroots politics, transparency, and genuine engagement with communities rather than the politics of entitlement and nostalgia.

Some within the PF argue that the party should adopt a “post-Lungu” identity, one that honors his role but moves beyond his era to attract a new generation of voters disillusioned with both the PF’s past and the UPND’s current challenges.

Public Perception and the Battle for Credibility

Public perception remains the PF’s greatest obstacle. For many Zambians, the memory of high debt levels, corruption allegations, and political intimidation under PF rule is still fresh. The current government has capitalized on these perceptions to frame the PF as a symbol of misrule.

To rebuild credibility, the PF must confront its past honestly. Merely blaming political persecution or painting itself as a victim of UPND’s alleged vengeance has not resonated with the public. What Zambians seek is introspection, accountability, and a clear break from the excesses of the past.

Yet, amid these challenges, the PF continues to demonstrate resilience. Despite defections and arrests of some of its leaders, it remains the single largest opposition party with an established grassroots network, especially in urban Copperbelt, Lusaka, and Luapula regions.

The New Faces and Emerging Dynamics

The vacuum in leadership has given rise to new political ambitions within the party.

Makebi Zulu, a youthful and articulate lawyer, has positioned himself as a modernizer capable of appealing to both the middle class and youth vote.

Brian Mundubile, a seasoned parliamentarian, represents the more traditional PF establishment, emphasizing continuity and discipline.

Chishimba Kambwili, ever the populist, appeals to the Sata-era loyalists who crave the firebrand politics of the early PF.

However, unless these figures can set aside personal ambitions for the collective good, the party risks disintegrating further. The absence of a clear ideological direction — whether the PF wants to be a populist movement, a conservative party, or a developmental alternative — continues to hinder its rebranding.

The Path Forward: Renewal or Irrelevance

For the PF to rise again, it must undergo deep structural and cultural transformation. Analysts and insiders alike point to several necessary steps:

1. Electing a legitimate and unifying leader through a transparent convention.

2. Rebuilding trust with the public by acknowledging past mistakes and demonstrating a commitment to accountability.

3. Engaging the youth — not through slogans, but through policies addressing unemployment, education, and entrepreneurship.

4. Reasserting its ideology — whether pro-poor populism or economic nationalism — to differentiate itself from the ruling UPND.

5. Modernizing communication and organization, including embracing digital campaigns and policy-driven debate.

Failure to reform could consign the PF to the fate of other once-dominant African parties that faded into irrelevance after losing power.

A Test of Legacy and Leadership

The Patriotic Front stands at a crossroads. It can either reinvent itself as a disciplined, democratic, and policy-oriented opposition—or continue down the path of internal squabbles and personality politics.

Michael Sata’s dream was to build a movement that championed ordinary Zambians. Edgar Lungu’s era tested that dream, and history will judge whether those who come after can restore it..

If the PF is to rise again, it must remember that the Zambian people are not nostalgic for power, but for purpose. Only a party that offers that purpose will earn their trust again.

By John Mwape

Ilelanga News. November 19, 2025.

DAVIES MWILA SAYS LUBINDA HAS NO POWERS TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE

Patriotic Front (PF) Member of the Central Committee, Davies Mwila, has described the recent appointment of Mansa Central Member of Parliament, Chitalu Chilufya, and Luapula Constituency member of Parliament, Chanda Katotobwe, to the party’s Central Committee by acting PF faction President, Given Lubinda, as illegal.

Mr. Mwila said the appointment of any member to the Central Committee must be approved through the National Executive Committee and ratified by the Central Committee, procedures which he claims were not followed.

Addressing the media in Lusaka today, Mr. Mwila said the appointments made by Mr. Lubinda lack legal backing under the party constitution.

“The party now appeals to National Chairma.  Musonda Mpankata, to take charge, as the constitution empowers him between now and the General Conference, to revoke such appointments,” said Mr. Mwila.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mwila has called on Mr. Lubinda, Makebi Zulu, Chitalu Chilufya, and Brian Mundubile to step down from the Central Committee as they are presidential candidates for the party.

He has further appealed for calm among party members as the PF prepares to hold its General Conference later this month.

RCV News

LAMENTATIONS FROM CHAWAMA CONSTITUENCY: STUCK WITH AN ABSENTEE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

As someone born and bred in Chawama Constituency, a calculated marginalisation of the Constituency from achieving its development goals hurts me. But here I sit, watching our Chawama Member of Parliament (MP), Hon. Tasila Lungu, stay away for 41 months from Parliament.

In 4 years 4 months (52 months) of this parliament session, she has only been around for a total of 11 months. She has been an absentee MP,  literally for this whole term. For a poor constituency like Chawama, which is hungry for development, this is unacceptable. The people of Chawama have literally been robbed a full term of office, through we orchestrated absentia (pregnancy, extended maternity, extended nursing of her sick child, extended compasionate leave, and extended court) .

When Hon. Sunday Chanda, Hon. Twambo Mutinta, Hon. Imanga Wamunyima, Hon. Nancy Mbololwa Subulwa, and Hon. Oliver Amutike, among others, are everyday aggressively making Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to count for their respective constituencies, she has been absent from Parliament for 41 months. It’s a shame, there is nothing like an acting MP. When an MP is not there, that’s all—no one comes in to act! Parliament must relook into its laws. This has been a horrible and enduring 5 years for Chawama Constituency.

Without a doubt, my lamentation, will attract insults from small minds, but that’s not a problem for me. The truth still remains—she is an absentee MP.

Dr. Martin Mushumba
A Disappointed Resident of Chawama Constituency

HH’s Once-Doubted Methodical Diplomacy Now Attracting Global Powers to Zambia
       ======================

In just four years under President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership, Zambia has hosted an impressive array of high-profile visits from some of the world’s most influential leaders.

At the start of his presidency, opposition leaders accused President HH of abandoning Zambia’s long-standing tradition of non-alignment, a diplomatic philosophy rooted in the vision of the country’s founding President, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda. Critics argued that HH appeared to lean more  towards the West Geopolitically, particularly during his  frequent engagements with the West  as he was working tirelessly to secure Zambia’s debt restructuring.

Eventually, his  methodical and strategic approach later  proved far more balanced, leaving his critics in suspense. After making significant progress on debt restructuring, President Hichilema expanded his focus eastward, strengthening ties with major Geopolitical Eastern powers, including China. His  pragmatic diplomacy seemingly  guided by national interest rather than ideology, has Seen Zambia  welcome leaders from both East and West, effectively sponsoring some breezy of silence in the opposition camp on their earlier accusations of bias.

Just a few days ago, Zambia hosted the President of Israel, H.E. Isaac Herzog. Geopolitically, Israel is an ally of the west. Tomorrow, the country is set to welcome the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Li Qiang.  To clarify, the Premier in China functions similarly to a Prime Minister in countries like the United Kingdom. He oversees  government activities and policy implementation. His visit is particularly significant as Zambia seeks increased investment in critical sectors such as energy.

Over the past four years, Zambia has also received leaders and senior Government officials from globally influential nations, including the President of Germany, H.E. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and the President of Italy, H.E. Sergio Mattarella.

Call them all you want, but these visits show the  success of President HH’s methodical diplomacy, which has translated into notable  increased investments in revitalizing the mining sector that was in the ICU as well as investments in fertilizer manufacturing for agriculture among others. Today we have industries opening up every now and then, with the only major challenge beeing loadshedding.

Knowing very well where we are coming from, five years ago,  HH has managed to restore the  global confidence in Zambia as a stable and strategic partner.

His Diplomatic Mingalato  have today prompted renewed support from the United States, which has announced plans to restore previously cut  grants to support Zambia’s healthcare sector.

🇿🇲 DEVELOPING | Given Lubinda Abducted in Kabwe, Political Temperature Spikes

Patriotic Front Acting President Given Lubinda has been violently attacked and allegedly abducted in Kabwe this afternoon by individuals believed to be UPND cadres, according to PF sources and video footage circulating widely online.

The footage shows Lubinda being manhandled by a group of young men outside a building. Only one of the aggressors is wearing UPND-branded clothing, a detail now shaping public debate as competing narratives emerge about who is responsible and why the incident happened.

PF presidential aspirant Brian Mundubile was first to speak to the media, stating that Lubinda “has been attacked and abducted by suspected UPND cadres” and accusing the ruling party of unleashing political violence ahead of the PF convention.
Reactions from the opposition escalated quickly.

Citizens First leader Harry Kalaba condemned the assault, saying: “If you allow this thuggery and political abductions to continue, soon there will be no Zambia left for any of us to live in or for you to preside over.”

Reactions from the opposition escalated quickly.

Citizens First leader Harry Kalaba condemned the assault, saying: “If you allow this thuggery and political abductions to continue, soon there will be no Zambia left for any of us to live in or for you to preside over.”

DPP President Antonio Mwanza called it “a direct assault on the rule of law” and demanded immediate arrests.

The first ruling party official to respond was Kabwata MP Andrew Tayengwa, who pushed back sharply, saying:

“PF is a serious criminal organisation. Ba UPND wake up. People are using your regalia to commit serious crimes and you are quiet. These moves are well calculated to discredit this government.”

Tayengwa’s statement mirrors the view circulating within some UPND circles that the attack may be staged or carried out by PF factions themselves, taking advantage of rising tensions inside the party.

Across social media the public is divided. Some insist the violence is linked to this morning’s PF internal implosion, where former Secretary General Davies Mwila rejected Lubinda’s appointments of Dr Chitalu Chilufya and Chanda Katotombwe as illegal.

Others argue that the attack fits into a chain of political hostilities that followed the Chingola stoning of President Hakainde Hichilema.

A segment of commentators is openly suggesting the abduction could be part of PF’s internal war as the convention draws close.

Several posts accuse Lubinda of “rigging the upcoming vote” through last-minute appointments and claim rival factions may have acted out of anger.

Police have not yet issued a statement on the incident, despite the video spreading rapidly across platforms.

This is a developing story, and The People’s Brief is tracking all angles: the PF factional dynamics, the authenticity of the alleged UPND involvement, and the emerging security implications as the country heads toward a tense political year.

More updates to follow.

© The People’s Brief | Goran Handya

Footage of PF Acting President Hon. Given Lubinda’s abduction

 CONTEXT | Mwila Opens New Front As PF Convention Tensions Mount

Internal tensions in the Patriotic Front have entered a new and dangerous phase. Former Secretary General Davies Mwila has rejected the appointment of Dr Chitalu Chilufya and Chanda Katotombwe as Members of the Central Committee, calling the move unconstitutional and accusing Acting President Given Lubinda of abusing his temporary authority.

The confrontation has exposed deeper fractures inside the party only days before the general conference where PF is expected to elect a new leader.

Mwila delivered his statement this morning with the force of a seasoned party enforcer. He reminded members that the PF constitution requires all MCC appointments to pass through the National Executive Committee before ratification by the Central Committee.

He said Lubinda bypassed these checks, rendering the appointments “null and void”. His tone carried a clear warning to Lubinda that the party is watching every move ahead of the leadership vote.

He also called on National Chairman Musonda Mpankata to “take charge” as mandated by the PF Constitution. Mwila said Mpankata must preside over all processes leading to the General Conference because the party cannot afford procedural breaches at a moment that will define its future.

Mwila demanded that all aspirants relinquish their positions to maintain a level playing field as required in internal elections.

The timing of this clash is not innocent. Mwila is a key figure inside the Mundubile camp, and the sentiment within that group is that Lubinda is using his acting role to tilt the internal chessboard.

Mundubile’s supporters believe Lubinda is quietly consolidating influence inside the Central Committee to soften the ground for his own candidacy. They see the Chilufya and Katotombwe appointments as part of that manoeuvre.

The friction reveals two long-standing PF weaknesses. First, the reliance on personality power rather than institutional discipline. Second, a tradition of factional politics where loyalty is often transactional.

PF has always operated with competing power blocs, but factions were managed when the party held state power. Once the party lost the 2021 election, those factions grew teeth. The current leadership vacuum has made them uncontrollable.

This crisis is also a reminder of PF’s political history. In 2011, when the party took power, it destabilised the MMD with speed and precision because it understood one rule: a defeated party must close ranks or perish. PF failed to follow that same rule after losing in 2021. Instead of immediately managing succession, they delayed. Instead of insulating the party from external infiltration, they opened cracks that opponents could exploit.

Today those cracks are wide enough to swallow the entire convention.

The Chabinga factor has also weakened the party. Last week he told PF MPs that if they refused to cooperate with him, they should “not cry next year” because adoption certificates would come from him and Morgan Ng’ona. He reminded them that his court order remains in force.

PF downplays him, but delegates know that Chabinga controls legal levers that can disrupt the convention, derail adoptions and throw the party into prolonged legal paralysis. It is not surprising that some PF members now believe UPND is using the Chabinga ruling as a political advantage.

Lubinda’s own warnings to UPND have raised eyebrows. On Monday, he told the ruling party to “fix the secretariat or face us”. But critics note the contradiction. PF often says the courts are compromised, yet it is the same courts they rush to each time a factional dispute emerges.

One of our politically sharp readers put it bluntly: “These cases will be adjourned until next year July.” It sounds like sarcasm, but the PF legal roadmap has been unpredictable for months. That possibility cannot be dismissed.

PF insiders admit that greed, bought loyalty and paid allegiances are dimming the party’s prospects. Delegates say everyone wants to be president. Others are rumoured to be planning to register their own parties if they lose at the convention.

These dynamics make the PF convention not just a leadership contest but a battlefield of personal ambitions. A divided PF is a gift to the ruling party. The longer the confusion continues, the easier it becomes for the UPND to dominate 2026.

The PF convention hangs in the balance. Procedures are disputed. Loyalties are shifting. Factions are sharpening their lines. Today’s clash between Mwila and Lubinda is not the last. It is only the latest tremor in a party struggling to define itself before voters define it for them.

If PF cannot restore order in its own house, how will it convince the country it is ready to govern again?

© The People’s Brief | CONTEXT

 EDITOR’S NOTE | The Lumumba Paradox: When Power Changes, Principles Evaporate

Prof. PLO Lumumba’s 2025 appearance in Zambia has triggered a political déjà vu that many would rather forget. Today, he is being welcomed by PF leaders as a continental sage, photographed as an ally, and briefed as an advisor on governance and constitutional tensions. But Zambia remembers. In September 2018, the PF government under President Edgar Chagwa Lungu deported Lumumba upon arrival, citing vague “security concerns.”

Immigration officers detained him at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and put him back on the next flight. The official line accused him of being a “security risk,” despite no evidence ever being offered. It was a political decision wrapped in bureaucratic wording.

Fast forward to 2025. The same political actors who barred him from breathing Zambian air are now presenting him as a moral compass. Brian Mundubile, one of PF’s presidential aspirants, held a warm meeting with him yesterday and described the encounter as “impactful,” quoting Lumumba’s warnings on political exclusion, youth frustration and constitutional legitimacy. He even invoked Madagascar and Sudan as cautionary tales.

The contrast could not be sharper. In 2018, PF deemed him too dangerous to address a leadership forum. Today, they lean on him to reinforce narratives against constitutional reforms by a rival government.

This reversal is not just irony. It is a portrait of Zambian politics at its most predictable. When in office, every party sees critics as risks. When in opposition, the same critics suddenly become prophets. PF blocked Lumumba when it enjoyed power. They now embrace him because his voice can be weaponised against the UPND’s constitution-making process. This speaks to the fact that many Zambian politicians do not reject ideas. They reject timing. They reject voices that threaten their hold on office. They reject criticism only until they need it.

Lumumba himself has kept a consistent message over the years: strong institutions, broad-based constitutional legitimacy, youth empowerment, and responsible leadership. What has not been consistent is the conduct of those citing him today. Mundubile now praises Lumumba’s “clarity on governance” yet remained silent when the PF government locked him out of the country.

The same PF figures who once labeled him subversive are now seeking moral authority from him. It signals a political class more loyal to convenience than principle.

Lumumba’s warnings on Zambia’s political climate deserve serious attention. He is right to caution about constitutional reform without consensus. He is right to highlight youth frustration as a potential national trigger. He is right to insist on inclusiveness. But these same concerns were dismissed when PF held power. Public distrust, institutional pressure, and partisan constitutional changes did not begin in 2025. Zambia has walked this road before.

What we see now is a familiar dance. Politicians rotate between defender and dissenter depending on whether they hold the instruments of power. When PF banned Lumumba, they did so in the name of “national security.” Today, they present themselves as champions of democratic caution beside the same man they once silenced.

The contradiction is not minor. It reveals how quickly power recalibrates the meaning of “principle.”

Zambia must be careful. Lumumba’s visit should not be turned into another partisan trophy. His message is meant for the nation, not for factions seeking affirmation. His deportation in 2018 should remind us that political leaders often weaponise ideas they once rejected. PF bigwigs praising tells  that political hypocrisy travels faster than reform.

If Lumumba’s voice is useful, then it should have been useful in 2018 too.

The real question is not why he came. It is why those who once banned his entry now embrace his counsel. Zambia deserves leaders who remain consistent whether in power or opposition. Lumumba’s warnings stand. So does the hypocrisy.

© The People’s Brief | Editor-in-Chief

…says Zambians have decided that they don’t want the UPND.

LUSAKA, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2025 (SMART EAGLES)

DEMOCRATIC Union – DU president Ackim Antony Njobvu says the opposition stands a chance to unseat the ruling UPND in the 2026 general elections owing to its failure to deliver on its campaign promises.

Speaking when he featured on the ‘Political Podcast’ program on Power FM this morning, Mr. Njobvu said Zambians are resolved to kick out the UPND because the ruling party has become unpopular.

He said the opposition still have a bit of time to mobilize additing that the confusion currently going on in some political parties is a process meant to find a better candidate.

” Do not be worried, the opposition still has a bit of time to mobilize, we are working in the background. The opposition still stands a chance to win the 2026 General elections because Zambians have decided that they don’t want the UPND to continue ruling. What is happening in some opposition political parties is a process of seeving to find a better candidate,” Mr. Njobvu said

And Mr. Njobvu said Zambia is ready for young leadership adding that he is equal to the task owing to the vast experience gained from the corporate and political circles.

He said the challenges the country is facing can only be resolved by Zambians.

“Zambia is ready to have a young leader and I am equal to the task because I have gathered enough experience. Zambia should be able to trust me. We need a leader who has a vision and love for the country and that’s when we will see transformation and development,” Mr. Njobvu said.

“Zambia’s challenges will be resolved by us citizens and I am a strong Christian who believes that God is able to do things in a different way,” the DU leade said.

Meanwhile, inorder to address loading shedding in the country his party will prioritize natural gas and nuclear energy in the generation of electricity.

He said nuclear power and natural gas power stations will give the country enough electricity an resolve the energy crisis that has engulfed the country.

” Nuclear power stations will give us a lot of electricity to resolve the energy crisis in the country. Will also ensure that each province is energy sufficient inorder to attract investment. We will also embark on massive employment of young people so that they have economic power,” Mr. Njobvu said.

SmartEagles2025.

By Given Mutinta

FROM THE LUCIFER OF ZAMBIA TO BIRTHDAY WISHES TO ARCHBISHOP BANDA

There is never a dull moment in Zambia’s political scene.

Not long ago, we were faced with an unusual tableau: the Zambian government levied serious accusations against Dr Alick Banda, the Archbishop of Lusaka, but a few days ago publicly extended birthday greetings to him.

This abrupt change from branding a prominent religious leader as the “Lucifer of Zambia” due to his critiques on governance to offering celebratory greetings has shocked the citizenry.

This event transcends a simple act of courtesy; it signals potential underlying machinations within the current political administration, raising questions about underlying strategic maneuvering, genuine reconciliation efforts, or a calculated attempt at political expediency ahead of the crucial 2026 general elections.

The relationship between the State and the Church under President Hakainde Hichilema has been characterized by periods of cooperation punctuated by sharp disagreements, especially when issues of corruption, human rights, and poor governance surface.

Archbishop Banda, as the head of the Catholic Church in the capital, commands significant moral authority, making his pronouncements weighty in public discourse.

The ruling party has accused him of being biassed, but his criticisms of what he sees as a decline in governance standards since 2021 are reflective of larger concerns held by civil society.

The initial harsh response from the government, labelling him with such a severe epithet, clearly indicated a zero-tolerance approach to what it perceived as unwarranted external interference or politically motivated attacks.

Such strong language suggests a desire to delegitimize the critic rather than engage with the substance of the critique, a common tactic in the current politically fraught environment.

The sudden change of heart from an organisation that has attacked him repeatedly, as indicated by the birthday wishes, is intriguing.

One prevalent interpretation centres on political expediency directed towards the 2026 elections.

Zambia’s political environment remains highly competitive, and securing endorsements or, at minimum, neutralizing significant opposition voices, becomes paramount for President Hichilema’s administration seeking a second term.

The Church, especially in Lusaka which has the highest number of registered voters in 2021, about 1, 243, 619, remains a powerful mobilization bloc, capable of influencing voter sentiment across various demographics.

By attempting to mend fences with the Archbishop of Lusaka, President Hichilema might be trying to pre-empt a unified front from the religious community against him in the coming electoral cycle.

This strategy of rapprochement could be aimed at softening the ground, demonstrating a willingness to engage maturely, even if the underlying tensions remain unresolved.

A second, perhaps more nuanced, explanation involves strategic reconciliation, potentially catalysed by recent shifts in the regional and domestic political matrix, notably the passing of former President Edgar Lungu, who was known to have a close relationship with the Archbishop.

The death of Lungu seem to have necessitated a realignment of allegiances and communications, creating space for new relational manoeuvres.

It appears that the prior animosity between Archbishop Banda and President Hichilema was largely due to the Archbishop’s political alliance with Lungu.  As a result, President Hichilema was persuaded to abandon his animosity towards the Archbishop and instead use Lungu’s permanent departure as an opportunity to re-establish his relationship with the Archbishop and Church leadership independent of prior political battles.

This may suggest a forward looking strategy aimed at stabilizing the national dialogue, acknowledging the Church’s permanent role regardless of who occupies the highest office, or it could be a simply political manoeuvre by President Hichilema to maximise political benefit in the 2026 election.

Furthermore, the recent diplomatic outreach to neighbouring Zimbabwe provides a compelling parallel instance of President Hichilema’s capacity for swift shifts in posture.

President Hichilema’s administration had previously characterized the previous Zimbabwean elections under President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a sham. Yet, last week he visited Zimbabwe for the inaugural Zambia–Zimbabwe Bi-National Commission characterised with unusual hugs and smiles with President Mnangagwa representing a pragmatic diplomatic re-engagement.

If the government is willing to engage with a leader whose election it questioned for national or regional stability reasons, the rationale for extending an olive branch to a domestic religious leader Archbishop Banda, albeit a critic, becomes understandable within a framework of pragmatic governance or political expediency.

These incidents point to a pattern in President Hichilema’s political approach, in which he is willing to temporarily suspend ideological rigidity in favour of strategic or relational necessity.  A clear example of President Hichilema’s mastery of realpolitik.

However, the inherent fragility of this reconciliation remains a crucial issue to follow with interest. Goodwill built upon expediency is often conditional. If Archbishop Banda continues his robust critique of governance—demanding accountability on issues such as tribalism, rule of law, corruption, debt restructuring, cost of living, or transparency—President Hichilema’s government’s patience may quickly wear thin.

The true test of this change of heart will be President Hichilema’s reaction to future, substantive criticism from the Archbishop, unless he has been compromised, which is unlikely, and will never criticise poor governance in President Hichilema’s administration.

Thus, the Zambian government’s gesture towards Archbishop Banda is pregnant with meaning, reflecting the complex interplay between political survival, strategic positioning for the next election, and the ongoing effort to manage powerful non state actors. Whether this signifies a genuine commitment to improving civil society relations or merely a temporary tactical retreat to secure political dividends remains uncertain. As the adage suggests, only time will truly reveal the depth and sincerity behind the sudden display of birthday goodwill.

From the political terraces, the visit to Zimbabwe and birthday wishes serve as a potent reminder that in the volatile arena of politics, alliances are fluid, and perceived adversaries can swiftly become necessary partners in the pursuit of political stability or electoral success.