HAKAINDE Hichilema on Saturday snubbed African diplomats accredited to Zambia and only invited diplomats from Western countries to attend luncheon at his residence, an action that has triggered consternation in the diplomatic community.
Mr Hichilema hosted Western diplomats to the exclusion of African ambassadors and high commissioners except for the South African envoy.
The diplomats talked to said that they were not invited to the luncheon and were not aware of the criteria for being invited.
Malawi High Commissioner to Zambia David Chisala Bandawe who is also the Dean of diplomats accredited to Zambia said in an interview that his mission did not receive any invitation from Mr Hakainde.
Mr Bandawe said he was not invited to the luncheon and was not aware if any other African envoy was invited.
Mr Bandawe said without an invitation, it was difficult to attend.
And Rwandan Charge d affairs Abel Buhungun also said his mission did not receive an invitation to attend Mr Hakainde’s luncheon.
Zimbabwean deputy High Commissioner to Zambia Marshall Mututu said the embassy was not aware about the luncheon and that the opposition leader must have had a reason why the Zimbabwean mission in Lusaka was not invited to the luncheon.
And Mr Hichilema said he did not invite diplomats for lunch at his Lusaka residence to ask them to fund his campaign because he was already enjoying support of the suffering Zambians, reports Millennium Radio.
Mr Hichilema said the diplomats he invited only discussed key issues pertaining to free and fair elections.
He said the meeting also discussed the need to end political violence and have free access to the media.
“The UPND is funded by the people of Zambia who are suffering, who have no jobs, who have no food and those who are paying high amounts of kwacha per dollar,”Mr Hichilema said.
He said this in an interview with Millennium Radio yesterday in Lusaka.
Mr Hichilema said he did not discuss funding when he met diplomats but key issues regarding governance.
He said what was discussed with diplomats was there in the newspapers and had nothing to do with funding the UPND campaigns.
And UPND spokesperson said diplomatic community in Zambia did not endorsed Mr Hichilema but only wished him good luck in the August general elections.
Mr Kakoma, who is UPND spokesperson, has dismissed assertions that the diplomats who were invited for lunch by Mr Hichilema at his residence, had endorsed the opposition leader but that their visit was meant to share with them the parameters of the political situation in the country.
Mr Kakoma said it would be against diplomatic etiquetti for the international community to endorse any particular presidential candidate including President Edgar Lungu.
He said diplomats did not endorse candidates but only spoke about candidates silently and it was therefore not correct to assert that their visit to Mr Hichilema’s residence was an endorsement.
Mr Kakoma however said the UPND was encouraged by the visit and that it was an indication that the UPND was not alone in the strugle for the change in how best Zambia was to be governed.
He said it was a blessing that the diplomats had accepted the invitation by Mr Hichilema who he said shared with them his worries about the political violence in the country.
“For all we know, diplomats do not endorse presidential candidates but they speak silently. The diplomats have not said they have endorsed Mr Hichilema but only wished him good luck. If that is being interpreted as an endorsement, it is good for us and we feel encouraged because we realise we are not alone in this struggle.
‘‘As the UPND we have interpreted their visit in an African context where if you visit a chief and he gives you blessings, you must be thankful,” Mr Kakoma said.
He said it was the desire of the international community to see Zambia continue being a shining example of democracy and a country that respected the rule of law by holding peaceful, free and fair elections.
elo lwanya muntu wandi
He can’t hold same agenda.the issues with rich countries was IMF, loans, mines and kwacha.
African diplomats need a day of drinking and dancing, and it will come.
to be honest what can HH learn from Malawi and Rwanda about democracy? Lets be real. The was no point in inviting diplomatic who would add no value
@ Nostradamus thats fool1sh thinking, man grow up. you a total let down!
“They will be another invitation for African enjoys”, my foot! By the way how much money did LT give you after wining an id1otic prize of sending more texts to LT sites last year on nonsensical topics.
@ Nostradamus, stop defending wrong things! HH should have invited the Dean of Diplomats at least! Such dealings place him in bad standing within the diplomatic cycles in Zambia. Period.
HH has a right to invite anyone he wishes and reserves the right to not allow anyone. Please let HH’s matter rest. Kalaba already said it was normal – now you’re mourning about the invitations! I hear PF will even protest…WTF!
You chaps osa nama!! African Embassies have NO EMAIL, they use SMOKE SIGNALS – that is why they missed out on the invitation, except for the South Africans – THEY HAVE ALL SQUANDERED THEIR FUNDS PROVIDED FOR their I.T.!! Next time we will remember to send out SMOKE SIGNALS – but even then, they will probably find an excuse NOT TO EMBARRASS Chakolwa chagwa – so as to avoid missing out on Chagwa’s drinking sessions!!
HH was right. Most African diplomats just back/ bark about the ruling party. If you ask the Zimbabwean High Commissioner, he would say Mugabe should rule until he is 150 years old. If the Ugandan, Rwandan, Burundi, Swazi Ambassadors are asked, they would just start justifying why their presidents should continue ruling. Nothing serious comes out of an African in power to be honest.
Look at what is happening where are so called African leader?
Pride comes before the FALL. One will take doom this year .
Except Mr Hichilema has no pride in his Africanness Sad What a statement he is making – These are his political masters Promote Africa!
This HH chap is racially selective as usual. He thinks is great to mingle with the whites after selling them our mines, this chap is set to sell the country to the same whites if accidentally he becomes president!. Away Kalusa will always lose! Kwamana!
2016 Vote ECL and PF.
OHO NOW HE IS NOT ONLY TRIBAL BUT RACIAL AS WELL; KWENA YOU ARE REALLY UNCIVILIZED.
Amen Brother, A House slave mentality
“Muzungu anikonde” mentality.
Don’t be surprised.
You want him to be mugabe instead? you PF have a debilitating condition of inferiority complex coupled with the only way is to borrow mentality.
So WHY DID CHAGWA A NON-BELIEVER, A CHAKOLWA, A THIEF that has never refunded his client’s money, with TWO CONCUBINES IN TOW, RUSH TO MEET THE POPE, leaving the country in economic chaos if it wasn’t for the “Muzungu anikonde mentality????”
Mr. HH how can the UPND be funded by the people of Zambia who are suffering, who have no jobs and who have no food? What do they do then for them to earn the money they fund the party? Please be realistic and give us inspiring statements.
So Coaches you don’t know that all the UPND members we contribute monthly the K250.00s ………?
Coaches we the civil servants and business men including famers have been contributing more than k250 towards UPND’s campaigns because we are determined to uproot PF from power twachula pafula.We cant be ruled by Kaponyas while our children at UNZA and CBU are suffering .
Just exactly what I wanted to say. How do you say that people who are suffering are the ones funding UNPD. Where do they get the money to fund you? You even enjoy their money. Its sad that we have leaders like you in the country who enjoys on the suffering of others. You should be a heartless person to receive donations from poor people for your own benefit.
Thanks Ba Kakoma for educating your cadres about the “endorsement”. They were on cloud 9 and I believe some thought August 11 will be the date for the swearing ceremony for HH! HH could not invite all diplomats at once though by protocol he should have invited the Dean of Diplomats,the High Malawi High Commissioner to Zambia! Let us hope now that this issue can be put behind us!
There you go again – that Dean of Diplomats was deeply engrossed with lutuku, expecting to see some SMOKE SIGNALS – his embassy has no computers – they blew all funds meant for I.T. – so they can’t receive emails!!!
At the very last he should have invited Botswana and any other African country that respects the democratic process. This is quite disappointing.
WHO WANTS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE LIKES OF BURUNDI, UGANDA, SOMALIA, RWANDA OR EVEN ISLAMABAD?
Primitive! No understanding at all of political relations with ALL countries especially neighbours. If HH came in those Western countries will have us fighting wars against each other. Look at the Middle Eastern countries!
These westerners have bad intention for Zambia, but they will succeed, they want HH to bring bad things like… aah imwe mwabviziba bvamene nikambapo.
You can’t even express yourself?? typical PamaFi!!!
@COACHES uli mukali. I wish that question could be asked to HH. Its like HH has more Questions than answer. How can the person expect to win when every move he makes is a flop. Sata was scoring at every point. if HH was sata the two universities wouldnt have been closed. He would have talked to students and the would have listed
these westerners have bad intentions for zambia, but they will not succeed, they want HH to bring things like….. aaaah imwe mwabviziba bvamene nikambako
@kimiz are you saying all UPND are poor and duffering? If yes how can a poor contribute K250 monthly? Then we cant vote pipo who are poor into office they may end up bringing poor policies
HH is a villager who can sell Zambia. Muzungu anilkonde type.This man wants to be associated with white pipo.Such pipo are tribalists in nature.Nowonder he leads a tribe party.We’ll teach him a lessson.Ne nega formula in bemba land.Vote PF
PF inferiority complex knows no bounds. Yet you are shamlessly going crawling with your tails between your legs begging the white, Western controlled IMF for help.
Self defeatists!
@Moscow (op) kalijo sumineni fye ka Lungu naka filwa.HH is the real man.
BA Sido suminenifye ati HH nika bwalala eba naba sungu
So all you who really think by Voting this guy into office you will somehow have a place at his table you better think again!!!
Have you hot a place at lungus table.???
African diplomats are useless. They do not have democracy in their own
countries so why waste time on them? Actually, the stupidity of African
diplomats even extends to their Presidents. Which sane person can
invite a diplomat from Zimbabwea, Uganda, Congo, Sudan, Burundi
and other countries to talk about democracy which they do not have
in their own countries? Think people. The only country which score high
on democracy in Africa is South Africa and their diplomat was invited.
African diplomats are useless. They do not have democracy in their own
countries so why waste time on them? Actually, the stupidity of African
diplomats even extends to their Presidents. Which sane person can
invite a diplomat from Zimbabwe, Uganda, Congo, Sudan, Burundi
and other countries to talk about democracy which they do not have
in their own countries? Think people. The only country which score high
on democracy in Africa is South Africa and their diplomat was invited.
Look at these shamlessly PF kaponya theives on this forum showing their mugabe complex towards westerners, yet they are going crawling back to the western controlled IMF with their tails between their legs begging for help.
So what if HH did not invite them. Do you have to cry for invitation. Ni invitation ya anyoko? On 8/11 PF is out no matter your insults.
@ Lucy. This comment is unsophisticated. If you don’t understand the finer requirements of Diplomatic conduct then try not to comment as to show your ignorance.
Could this subject have drawn such great attention if the diplomats were invited by Nawakwi, Kabimba or any other opposition leader? Certainly no! Then the writing is clearly on the wall, this man (HH) is a force to reckon with.
@Kenya He is not. The anger is about the attempt to disrupt peaceful Zambian Political processes. To declare that HH is a major contender in the elections BEFORE, parliament dissolves and before the official campaign season starts was Wrong.
Its very clear this HH character thinks whites’ better than his own. Zambia is surrounded by other African States, if he can’t understand he needs their support as neighbouring countries then he is wasting his time trying to be President. It’s mischief to conduct in a manner to cause alarm in any country by diplomats and the said embassies should be deliberately left out out of all Gov’t invites to foreign dignitaries from now AND after elections.
People were upset no matter the superficial clouding of the issue. Diplomats should be read mood better. They should have waited until, parliament dissolved before wading into partisan politics. There was no need to give an ear to HH’s rubbish assertion on starving Zambians as the election campaign season is yet to start. IT WAS…
So you wanted him to invite Zimbabwe, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda Congo DRC, Mali, Egypt and Sudan Envoys and somehow hope that Zambia would greatly stand to benefit from such interaction? Can I see a list of how many of you go to any of these countries I have listed for Business, Medical care, and when it comes to peace and democratic tenets all of the above are among the bad guys if you like? Where I come form we say birds of a feather flock together and the visionary and democrat in HH is certainly not encouraged by the Lot
Do you people really understand politics? They are neighbours and keeping peace and respecting one another us necessary.
I hope our neighbours will now give PF all their support because this HH Guy will sideline them.
HH you can’t just be so daft as to think your strategy here will bear you fruit!
If this snubbed group of countries in Africa acted with Zambia to snub those Western embassies how would it be for them! It was political faux pas, pardon my French!
So South Africa is not in Africa?
Come on, that’s one country full of white power. Black South Africans are just feeders not allowed economic power. Trying too hard to be clever.
No understanding at all of political relations with ALL countries especially neighbours. If HH came in those Western countries will have us fighting wars against each other. Look at the Middle Eastern countries!
Where is the noisy ‘Africa Unity’ UPND cadre @ Jay Jay? I know, busy filing his PF support card! He is too embarrassed to come onto these pages to groan in his usual sarcastic way! Black female turning white because they wear wigs….bla, bla, bla.
It’s a throw down @Jay Jay, you don’t want those fingers on the keyboard because you are an honest man and seen the light!!
One thing I know is African Diplomats are always scared to honour such invitations because they are afraid of their Presidents back home. There are however exceptions and these are South Africa and Nigeria. Mr Bandawe knows this fact very well even if he is the Dean.
The simple point here is that HH should have invited the African diplomats. U can’t think for them that they won’t come.
HH suffers from Inferiority Complex. He sees his tribe as inferior thus his tribalism. He sees his Africaness as inferior thus his invitation to Western diplomats. Now, is this a person we can have as a president? Never!
@Munyamadzi
Don’t worry HH will never ever rule Zambia
2016 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
He has promised them everything on earth including introduction of homosexuality. Catholics and all Christians up against this devil and decampaign him openly.
Zambia is too good to be sold by this chap! Let these so called diplomats sort the mess they have created in their countries because of Syria and leave us alone here.
What is there to learn from African diplomats? Most of them are coming from regimes not even worth talking about. I would have done the same besides, HH was footing the bill. Bandawe is just missing the free food and drink. By the way his government hasn’t even paid back the free fuel Sata loaned his country.
Ati, “Mr Hichilema hosted Western diplomats to the exclusion of African ambassadors and high commissioners except for the South African envoy.” Mwebantu, where is South Africa, kanshi? This is what they call clutching at straws! It is not helping PF in any way by keeping this in the news. It just shows how panicked they are! All this after minister Kalaba said democracy is maturing under PF….
how can the poor people fund your party Ba HH you are not honest ,you are not fit to become the President The UPND is funded by the people of Zambia who are suffering, who have no jobs, who have no food and those who are paying high amounts of kwacha per dollar,”Mr Hichilema said.
African Diplomats cannot accept an invitation from an opposition leader in the host country! African politics is all about suspicions and primitivity of a waste kind. If they dared to attend to such an invitation their countries would recall them and unreservedly apologize to the drunkard! That’s African politics for you.
HH this, HH that. The implication of the article is to label HH as a segregationist. Tribal party is already his middle name. Now he has another RACISTS against his own. Rich and sources of his riches a mistry. a freemason are all his other attributes.Then again there is no smoke without fire iwe chi HH!!
It will be foolishness or madness to expect a PF cadre to reason with any other opposition political party on issues of policies and ideology.IF you praise them you are friends but if you do not expect nothing.ONE THING WHICH IS VERY TRUE IS THAT IT HAS BROUGHT EMOTIONAL ANGUISH TO PF CADRES TO HAVE SEEN HH WITH THE 15 DIPLOMATS.PLEASE LIVE WITH IT..mind you do not expect a normal person to put his meat in his neighbours and remain with bones in your pot.That is the case of every PF cadre nothing is pleasing about HH.I support HH and UPND no matter how much PF cadres complain I’m busy campaigninhg and taking people to the civil centre that mattrers most.LIKE THE WAY YOU SEE NO LEADERSHIP IN UPND THAT IS THE SAME WAY I LOOK AT PF
You guys, this was pulled off by no other than Mmembe the Cartel leader. It was intended as a demonstration of the influence that Mmembe can peddle for the benefit of HH’s campaign. This is part of the deal in which HH agreed to support Mmembe in return for his “influence”. this is HH’s last chance to win and the level of desperation is high, so high that he has already effectively given up power to Mmembe. You know how Mmembe operates, he hold presidents hostage. This is what Mmembe has failed to achieve with Lungu because he was warned by Sata the victim of Mmembe. Just watch the events of the last two weeks since HH apologized to Mmembe and watch what is coming in the next few months.
But HH will always dig his grave, that is for sure.
But the cartel leader said: “There is a problem with the way our politicians are increasingly becoming dependent on foreigners and foreign missions for political and other support. Both the ruling party and the opposition are increasingly becoming more dependent on money from foreigners…..The diplomats that went to meet Hakainde Hichilema are doing so because there is a problem in the country, there are weaknesses in the governance system that have opened a fissure for them to come in and participate. … Which country in this world participates in American politics and elections? Which countries in this world have influence in the elections that take place in Britain, Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden? But look at how quickly we give up our sovereignty whenever we run into…
Cont’d..Which countries in this world have influence in the elections that take place in Britain, Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Sweden? But look at how quickly we give up our sovereignty whenever we run into problems with each other!”
Cont’d “What is happening is not something that deserves praise; it is actually a wake-up call that we are not running our affairs well and our people have no choice but to run back to their exploiters, colonisers for protection. In Hausa, they say that whatever leads the mouse to jump into the fire must be hotter than the fire itself. Many people suffered and died for the independence of this country which should not be given so easily just to win an election or remain in power..the struggle for independence was not anchored on elections and voting came much later in the struggle anchored on things that really mattered to a human being and their struggles and sacrifices must not be betrayed for political expediencies of the moment.”