ZELENSKYY’S INVITATION TO HICHILEMA: A DIPLOMATIC SIGNAL BEYOND A COURTESY CALL

ZELENSKYY’S INVITATION TO HICHILEMA: A DIPLOMATIC SIGNAL BEYOND A COURTESY CALL

An analysis by Golden Mapulanga – The Diplomat

The invitation by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to President Hakainde Hichilema to visit Ukraine should be understood as more than a routine congratulatory diplomatic gesture.

At face value, it is an invitation from one head of state to another following President Hichilema’s re-election. But beneath the protocol lies a potentially important geopolitical and diplomatic signal.

President Hichilema has already occupied an unusual position in the Russia–Ukraine crisis. In 2023, he travelled to Ukraine and subsequently Russia as part of an African peace initiative seeking to encourage dialogue and address issues arising from the conflict.

1. Ukraine recognises Zambia’s diplomatic relevance

For President Zelenskyy to specifically invite President Hichilema to Kyiv suggests that Ukraine regards Zambia as a country with which it wants to deepen political and diplomatic engagement.

This is important for Zambia because middle and smaller powers increasingly derive influence not from military strength alone, but from the credibility of their diplomatic positions and their ability to build bridges.

Zambia therefore has an opportunity to position itself as an African voice in conversations concerning sovereignty, territorial integrity, multilateralism and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

2. This is an opportunity for Zambia’s peace diplomacy

President Hichilema should not approach a potential Kyiv visit merely as a bilateral state visit.

He should approach it as an opportunity to ask:

What constructive contribution can Zambia make towards international peace while protecting Zambia’s national interests?

Zambia can maintain its support for the principles of the UN Charter while continuing to advocate dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful settlement of disputes.

That is a delicate but potentially powerful diplomatic position.

3. The bigger opportunity may actually be economic

This is where Zambian diplomacy must become more transactional and strategic.

A presidential visit should ideally produce tangible outcomes in areas such as:

agriculture and agricultural technology;

mining and mineral processing;

education and technical skills;

information and communication technology;

trade and investment;

food security;

reconstruction expertise;

humanitarian cooperation; and

diplomatic and institutional cooperation.

In other words, Zambia should convert diplomatic goodwill into economic diplomacy.

4. The timing is particularly interesting

The invitation comes at a time when Ukraine continues intensive international diplomatic engagement around the war and possible peace efforts. President Zelenskyy’s discussions with senior US representatives on August 31, for example, were focused partly on advancing peace efforts.

Consequently, a future Hichilema visit could carry a significance beyond Zambia–Ukraine relations.

It could become part of a broader conversation about Africa’s role in global peace diplomacy.

5. Hichilema’s diplomatic challenge

President Hichilema must, however, carefully balance principles, partnerships and national interest.

Zambia has important relationships with both Western countries and China, while remaining a member of African and multilateral institutions.

Therefore, Zambia’s foreign policy should not be perceived as becoming an extension of any geopolitical bloc.

The guiding principle should remain:

Zambia can defend international law without becoming a proxy for great-power rivalry.

That distinction is extremely important.

Golden Mapulanga – The Diplomat’s assessment

I would therefore characterise Zelenskyy’s invitation as an opportunity for Zambia to move from diplomatic participation to diplomatic influence.

President Hichilema has already demonstrated willingness to engage directly with the Ukraine crisis. A second engagement could allow Zambia to consolidate a reputation as an African country willing to speak about difficult international questions from the standpoint of sovereignty, peace, dialogue and international law.

But the visit must deliver something concrete for Zambia.

Diplomacy should ultimately translate into national interest.

If properly prepared, a Hichilema visit to Kyiv could simultaneously advance peace diplomacy, economic diplomacy, multilateral diplomacy and Zambia’s international standing.

The Diplomat’s concluding thought

“Zelenskyy’s invitation is not simply an invitation to President Hichilema to visit Ukraine; it is an invitation for Zambia to occupy a larger seat at the table of global diplomacy. The challenge before Lusaka is to turn that diplomatic recognition into peace, partnerships, investment and tangible national benefit.”

— Golden Mapulanga | The Diplomat