SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGIST SAYS ECL’S DEATH COULD RESHAPE 2026 GENERAL ELECTIONS AND TIP POLITICAL SCALES
By Michael Kaluba
Social anthropologist Dr. James Musonda says the passing of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is expected to shape the political atmosphere ahead of the 2026 general elections and could potentially lead to a sympathy vote.
Dr. Musonda notes that the opposition Patriotic Front-PF has already begun to publicly link the UPND to Mr. Lungu’s deteriorating health and eventual passing, a move that could galvanize sympathy and boost opposition momentum for the party that has been on the back foot since its loss in 2021.
He also believes that the coming days during the funeral, may see injunctions and counter-injunctions as both sides jostle for control of the narrative with the PF holding the funeral at the party’s secretariat in Lusaka while the state funeral is at Belvedere lodge also in Lusaka.
Dr. Musonda further says the UPND may find itself in a lose-lose situation arguing that their participation in the funeral could be seen as hypocrisy by PF supporters, while abstention could reinforce accusations of insensitivity and political vindictiveness.
The social anthropologist also contends that the UPND may consider measures to limit the funeral’s scale, especially if it takes on the character of a political rally, something the government has routinely denied the opposition in recent years and that while Mr. Lungu will ultimately be laid to rest, the process will leave a lasting influence on Zambia’s political discourse, possibly shaping the next election.
He has however called for compassion, love, forgiveness and empathy amidst the growing tension, saying Zambia’s strength lies in its unity, especially in times of loss while emphasizing that as arrangements unfold and legal arguments develop, Mr. Lungu’s death is a mirror reflecting Zambia’s fragile political landscape.
PHOENIX NEWS
If that is what anthropology means, then I do not believe in anthropology. PF was a curse on Zambia. No death of anybody can tip any scale in their favour.
The body of the former President is still warm in the morgue and here you are talking about elections. What kind of people are you without any shame? So elections mean more to you than someone `s death.It’s time to mourn the man not to talk about elections Mr anthropology. How does someone go this low? This is the time pray for ba Lungu and reflect.
As sad as it sounds and probably untimely as it may be, the analysis provided by Dr Musonda is just the truth. Lets go back to PF in government, they obviously borrowed heavily and brought in a lot of infrastructure development which everyone can see. However, on the other hand corruption and shoddy deals became the order of the day. When Zambians voted in 2021, and opted for UPND, that was a revolt/rebellion/punishment vote against PF. That’s just how politics work. Look at the USA, one thing that also contributed to Donald Trump’s win was the assassination attempts on his life, people in the USA gave Donald Trump a sympathy vote. Dr Musonda’s analysis is real though it may be coming at the wrong time or a little bit to early.
It’s a pity that all these people are still only focused on 2026 elections which are still a year and a month and half away. Looking back and analysing the conduct of PF now and the whole entire administration of the New Dawn, there is nothing to suggest that PF / Tonse and UKA would even achieve 25% of what the dawn has achieved under the same circumstances. Mind you PF, Tonse & UKA is the same group of thugs appearing under different names. They can’t even agree on who their leader is going to be because their intention and interest is to go and loot and steal government coffers should zambians make that mistake.