Zambia’s Political Future in Jeopardy: Mweetwa’s Stark Warning Unveils the Shaky Path Ahead for Hichilema
December 6, 2024
Zambia is headed towards a political earthquake, and if recent statements by Choma Central MP Cornelius Mweetwa are anything to go by, President Hakainde Hichilema’s 2026 re-election bid may very well be a desperate fight for survival. Mweetwa, known for his sharp political commentary, has pulled no punches in predicting the brutal reality of the upcoming elections, leaving many questioning whether the UPND can weather the storm ahead.
In a recent post that sent shockwaves through political circles, Mweetwa acknowledged that despite his confidence in Hichilema’s eventual victory, the 2026 General Elections will not be a cakewalk. Instead, they will be a grueling and cutthroat contest that could see the ruling party’s carefully built political empire crumble under mounting pressure. “We know it will be tough,” Mweetwa admitted, but his words spoke volumes about the tenuous hold the UPND has on power.
With Zambia facing an economic crisis triggered by an ongoing drought, inflation, crippling power shortages, and a growing food insecurity crisis, the mood in the country is far from hopeful. Rather than taking bold action to address these pressing issues, the UPND appears to be floundering, caught in a cycle of empty promises and political finger-pointing. Mweetwa’s frank admission of the looming electoral battle comes as a bitter acknowledgment that the current government’s handling of the nation’s challenges has left much to be desired.
“We cannot afford to be complacent,” Mweetwa urged. But isn’t complacency exactly what has plagued the UPND since taking office? With an economy in shambles, Hichilema’s promises of change and prosperity seem increasingly hollow. The political honeymoon period that followed his victory in 2021 has long since ended, and now, the reality of governance is setting in—one where the UPND has failed to deliver on the basic needs of its people.
Mweetwa’s message also served as a thinly veiled plea for unity within the party, a party that has already begun to show signs of internal division. The very fact that he felt the need to apologize for his previous outbursts highlights the level of dysfunction within the UPND. If the leadership is already at odds with itself, how can they hope to unify the nation ahead of 2026?
“We are defending power for the first time,” Mweetwa said, which might as well be a code for “we are vulnerable.” The reality is that the UPND is facing not just external opposition, but an electorate that has grown tired of the same broken promises, the same political games. While Mweetwa pleads for hope and unity, many Zambians are left wondering whether their suffering will ever end.
The 2026 elections will test Hichilema and his government in ways they have yet to experience. If they cannot confront the very real issues of poverty, unemployment, and economic instability, they will not only lose the election, but they will lose the faith of a nation that put its trust in them. Mweetwa’s warning is not just an acknowledgment of the battle ahead—it is an admission that the UPND is unprepared, disorganized, and on the verge of collapse.
In what is shaping up to be one of Zambia’s most brutal and consequential elections, the UPND’s grasp on power may slip away before 2026 even arrives. And while Mweetwa wishes for unity and renewal, the hard truth is that the UPND’s reign is looking increasingly fragile, with no clear direction to save them from the inevitable political demise.
KUMWESU DEC 6, 2024