POLITICAL ANALYST SAYS NO VISIBLE MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE IN ZAMBIA AHEAD OF 2026 POLL
By Joseph Kaputula
Political analyst Dr. Neo Simutanyi says the movement for change in Zambia is not strong enough to suggest a comeback for the former ruling party, the Patriotic Front-PF.
Dr. Simutanyi tells Phoenix News that while some Zambians may be unhappy with the UPND government’s performance, the situation is different from the 1991 and 2021 elections when the demand for change was clear and overwhelming.
He says the outcome in Malawi where former president Peter Mutharika has returned to power, is incomparable to Zambia’s political environment, noting that President Hakainde Hichilema’s predecessor, Edgar Lungu, was declared ineligible and has since passed away.
Dr. Simutanyi however says it would be wrong to completely rule out the PF, but has stressed that Zambia and Malawi are two different cases.
Malawian president Lazarus Chakwera has conceded defeat to former president Peter Mutharika in the just-ended elections.
PHOENIX NEWS
Fwebena Kanyama the mood is for change. Mwebena ma yard. Mood kukonkanyapo.
PF should be ruled out. A lot of people will die if PF comes back. Pangas are bound to come back with a vengeance.
Even if the choice was between PF and a Frog. A frog will win. PF is simply damaged goods. They refused to rebrand. It’s like bringing back a knocked engine sports car back into the race.
Kaili u love hand outs and thuggery.
Really Dr Simuntanyi?
Are you really objective about what you are saying, or you want to force your opinion on the people?
Many Intellectuals in Academia have gone into hiding from 2021..We rarely hear anything from them. This is the group which was very active under Edgar Chagwa Lungu ‘s presidency, but are so scared to say anything.
Recently, Mr Hakainde Hichilema summoned Chiefs to talk about his favorite Obsession, Tribalism and Hate Speech..
Why this Subject should take center stage under his Presidency beats my mind.
Previously we could interact with other tribes without even knowing their Tribe. But now even Kids are talking Tribes..Who really is desperately bringing Tribalism to the fore? What is there to gain by beating Tribal Drums????
Dr Simuntanyi, there’s a wind of change blowing. The political body mass has moved from the UPND, and it’s gravitating some where…..But there’s one difference. While previously people were open about their political opinion, this time around people are quiet. Why are they quiet? We are living under a climate of fear..If you express an opinion, hate speech or sedition follows you.
So the people are living under a strange Calm…The calm before the storm.
And when Mr Hakainde Hichilema loses elections next year, it won’t be because of Tribalism. People have seen through the Man.
Zambia deserves better.
Ask given Lubinda, he will tell you that when you suppress campaigns, you get the sign of change through the ballot the hard way