By Gregory Mofu
Growing up in the 1990s, I witnessed Zambia stand tall as a beacon of peace—not just in the region, but across the African continent. Under the leadership of our then-president, Frederick Chiluba, Zambia played a central role in promoting dialogue, mediating conflicts, and hosting peace negotiations that shaped the course of nations.
Zambia was not just known as a peaceful country; it was the headquarters of peace in southern Africa. We watched with pride as our capital, Lusaka, hosted landmark agreements like the Lusaka Protocol, which brought together Angolan President Eduardo dos Santos and UNITA rebel leader Jonas Savimbi in a bid to end the protracted civil war in Angola. We also witnessed Congo’s newly installed president, Dr. Laurent-Désiré Kabila, sign peace accords with over 18 rebel groups—right here in Lusaka. These moments were not mere political events; they were affirmations of Zambia’s identity as a stabilizing force and an honest broker in times of crisis.
But something has changed.
Today, the story feels different. The confusion and political friction surrounding the funeral of our sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, have left many wondering: Where did we go wrong?
I believe I have an answer—politics.
Politics have become divisive, toxic, and misunderstood. Somewhere along the way, we lost sight of the true spirit of democracy. Instead of embracing diversity of thought and opposition as pillars of a healthy system, we have allowed suspicion, bitterness, and mistrust to define our political interactions. Democracy was never meant to create enemies; it was meant to create space for conversation, accountability, and growth.
That’s why I was deeply encouraged by President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent address to the nation. His reminder that politics should not turn us into enemies is a necessary and timely message. It is a step in the right direction—and hopefully, a turning point.
When this moment of political tension and misunderstanding eventually passes—and it must—we must not return to business as usual. Instead, I strongly believe that President Hichilema should initiate a Commission on Peace, Reconciliation, and National Unity. Such a platform could allow Zambia to revisit its founding values, heal political wounds, foster mutual respect among stakeholders, and restore our nation’s rightful place as a beacon of peace in Africa.
We have done it before. We can do it again.
Too much bitterness and too many greedy people wanting to be president at once…
Well said. Some people want to be President not appreciating the responisibilty and the burden it takes to be President. Wanting to loot the treasury nothing else
Wanting to be president is ok becoz Zambia is a multi Party democracy and our constitution allows multiple candidate to stand.
Tribalism + Politics = Division
In Zambia, around 80% (est) of voters choose leaders based on tribe, not policies. This fuels tension, especially when candidates come from different tribes.
Our democracy needs reform. Western systems work in more uniform societies. We must create a system that unites us, not divides us.
Though we bellowed this system from western culture, we can redefine it to suit out mult language society.
I do not agree with the notion that it is a trend for Zambians to vote based on tribe. It is a recent development. Chiluba won with a landslide victory, meaning the whole country voted for him. Mazoka was loved by the entire country. After Sata is when we saw these lines being significantly drawn. Umuntu ni Lungu was a regional battle cry. Even HH won lots of votes from PF’s regional stronghold. It is a set of politicians that push this agenda from the top down, and unfortunately through their cadres these things are becoming entrenched. Some cadres from PF were recently recorded at the secretariat denouncing Tonga gospel songs during Lungu’s funeral.
We shouldn’t have removed Rupiah Banda from power
We shouldnt have been handed on a plate Ind. in 1964 as we were not prepared
I fully concur ,we shot ourselves in the foot with that misguided move.
PF are a poison.
They are the ones who are the instigators of this type of politics.
Its leaders are bush politicians who are power hungry and their modus operandi is hatred and violence.
Their attitude is if we are not in power we will look to cause mayhem, lawlessness, division and eventually civil unrest and bloodshed.
It’s a nasty way of doing politics and that is what they brought to Zambia.
Oh really ??? and is this GRZ without fault ??
Are they not encouraging them TO BRING IT ON ????????????
Remember what’s in the heart and what’s said maybe worlds apart
Tikki
How are GRZ encouraging them to bring it on ??!????
???????
FWD2031
If you want to know what went wrong……..
Look no further than the late lungus presidency………
The worst in terms of political violence, tribalism, corruption, debt…..,the list is long…….
Even in death the man is a big problem………
MHSRIEP
FWD2031
@Spaka. I agree absolutely. Worst President Zambia has ever had. An accidental president and it showed!
Obviously you not rating KK
And that’s what you get with narcissistic leaders.Mobutu , Emperor Nero,Trump ,ECL ,Arap Moi …all these narcissistic leaders ruined their own nations.
The answer is not politics but the highly anticipation of getting rich once in a political office. That has now paved way greedy mind set.
Give the country back to the British on a care taker basis, then we can claim it back once we are ready because even all the comments above mine here are not helpful and not objective but political. Sadly the church which is supposed to unite us is divided on political lines. When you see a face from the church on ZNBC TV you even know which side of the debate they will take, when you see a face from the Church on Private TV stations you even know which side of the debate they will take even before they say anything. Same with Chiefs actually. Sad reality.
VIVA MADODO !!!!!!!!!!!!
In the meantime bring Carte Blanche here !!
And the Daily Maverick investigating teams
Things will unfold beyond your belif
If I remember correctly, UPND cadres stoned VJ and other MMD politicians who went to mourn the late Mazoka in 2006. So what is happening now is not new. Measures should have been taken to stop this rot ages ago.smh
True Rosemary, this thing has been in different phases, it was vigilantes in UNIP, then MMD had die hard chaps who could even harrass and airlift their leaders, then PF cadres got in full gear though even now there is serious caderism by UPND cadres even in markets but operating below radar but very much there. There was also the Mapatizya formula along the way. Cry my beloved country
Some cant see further than their nose and have very short memories
Lungu was not the best but i’ pretty sure when HH leaves office the very same abuse will resurface
Rightly or wrongly i’m sorry to say if HH wasnt leading UPND this may well not have happened to this degree
1964 to 1969 was the golden age of Zambia. Nothing has bettered it since. 1969 to 1973 was marred with political violence between UNIP and ANC. I remember spending the whole day in the bush, hiding from ANC cadres. 1973 was the darkest year in Zambia. A One-Party state was established. Copper prices plummeted and oild prices escalated to dizzy heights. We were in trouble. Not to mention the incursions of the Portuguese and Rebel Rhodesia into our land as we hosted Freedom fighters. 1974 to 1989 was doom and gloom.
!964-1969 was golden as we were left holding a basket full of goodies and well oiled and run businesses which we decided to eat and without any thought of the future
Hiding in the bush ??? maybe you were afraid of your shadow ? as i carried on as normal even travelled to salisbury numerous times although in convoy
The economy collapsed- runaway inflation, shortage of essential commodities, attempted coups, high debt. Hope was rekindled in 1990 when the one party state was dismantled. 1991 to 2001- tightened belts, corrupt privatisation, disembodying of everything UNIP built. 2001 to 2011 was a silver age for Zambia. Things looked promising. 2011-2025 – you know.
The hawk always swoops on chicks never on ducklings.. know why? Because the duck never said anything when its duckling was swooped. The chicken, in the meantime, makes so much noise that the whole village is aware.
If the hawk is woke enough to figure it out….what about the human being…?
kikikiki beyond most
Deeply encouraged by one who condorns ethnicity …
For the Nation to live, the Tribe must die, wise words of Samora Machel. The late president of Mozambique
We don’t have tribalism in Zambia, what we have is regional politics. As Zambians we have moved a great deal in terms of intermarriages which, to me is a cardinal indicator in breaking tribal barriers. The rural urban shift and the opening up of higher institutions of learning have also greatly helped to unite Zambians.
What we are seeing now is political cadres destabilising our unity. This has been made worse the minute some political groups formed parties based on tribes
What ?????????