In a direct political challenge, Dr Fred M’membe, Zambia’s President of the Socialist Party, has issued a statement calling for a united opposition front to unseat President Hakainde Hichilema in the 2026 general elections, labelling him an agent of neocolonialism.
Dr M’membe’s statement opens by endorsing calls for political consolidation, asserting that those “calling for or urging opposition unity are right and need to be listened to attentively and with respect.” It frames the upcoming political battle as a “very big and complicated struggle to wage.”
Central to the argument is the distinction between the incumbent and a broader ideological foe. Dr M’membe clarified that the struggle “is not primarily about Mr Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND,” whom it describes as “secondary” and “merely agents.” Instead, it identifies the “primary enemy” as neocolonialism.
To illustrate this point, Dr M’membe quoted Zambia’s late national liberation hero, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe: “If we don’t handle our independence very well, colonisers will come back in the form of investors…Colonialism is like a chameleon, it does not go away but only changes its colours.” According to the statement, “This is what Hichilema represents in this country and in Africa today.”
Dr M’membe outlined practical benefits for a cohesive opposition, stating that “Opposition unity will increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and orderliness in the utilisation of the very limited financial, human, and other resources needed by the opposition.” He further added that such unity “will optimise resource utilisation.”
Dr M’membe further characterized neocolonialism as “a system of multiple domination,” which he said operates through various fronts including “tribalism, regionalism, racism, patriarchy, and subjugation of nature.” He further warned that without strategic cohesion, there is a risk of “putting the suffering masses of our people divided into various political parties and other groupings in competition with each other.”
Dr M’membe concluded by positioning unity as an imperative, declaring there is “no sensible alternative to unifying our opposition political parties’ struggles because the principal enemy is one – neocolonialism and its principal agent, Mr Hichilema and the UPND.”
Dr M’membe message ended with a final rallying cry: “We either struggle together, or we are defeated alone.” The call to action is set for August 13, 2026.
That wont happen because recycling and putiing forward previously failed politians,
Another issue is everyone wants to be the leader for their own personal gain without any thought for Zambia
A united opposition would mean certain sitting room parties be dissolved to join the big ones. Socialist Party? Is ths a party or family gathering? Dissolve! Sean Tembos party? Dissolve! Nevas Mumbas party? Dissolve! and so on and so on.
Fred M’membe just blows hot air.
He says “Remove President Hichilema”, and replace him with what or with whom.
President Hichilema has policies and a programme to take Zambia forward.
Question what are M’membe’s proposals, policies or manifesto?
Answer: Nothing.
The only thing he has is hatred for President Hichilema, is that really a policy to win the presidency.
President Hichilema has policies and a programme to take Zambia forward? Where are they? We ve been waiting for them for five years and are we going to continue waiting for the next five years? Like those Ugandans? Or Cameroonians!