By Kellys Kaunda
WILL HH LISTEN TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OVER MCPHERSON MUKUKA?
When Hichilema was arrested and detained at Mukobeko Maximum Security prison, the international community rose up and spoke almost in unison calling on Edgar Lungu to release him. ECL did.
Frederick Chiluba had also listened when Julius Nyerere called on him to release Kenneth Kaunda from detention. Instead, he placed him under house arrest.
The international community has been a moral voice and a moral force that gives national leaders a different perspective on domestic affairs.
Past leaders have listened to them not out of weakness or admission of wrong on their part. They did so because they considered the international community as a legitimate partner in domestic affairs.
They did so because national development is no longer possible without the international community.
And the latter respected them because they listened to them and followed their advice. The international community respects those that respect them.
So, what will a President who declared upon his ascendancy to power that “now we have reached the premier league of nations” do in the face of calls by the international community to have McPherson Mukuka released and his charges dropped altogether?
Will he join FJT and ECL in demonstrating that the voice of the international community matters?
Or, he will tell them that their voice doesn’t matter. If he proceeds this way, he will be confirming that their voice only mattered because his personal interests were at stake.
What do you call such a person?