President Hakainde Hichilema has told individuals offered public appointments to decline positions if they are unwilling to align with his administration’s policy direction.
Speaking during a swearing-in ceremony , the President emphasised that public service requires shared purpose and disciplined execution of government programmes. He stated that accepting office while resisting policy direction undermines service delivery and national development objectives.
The President’s remarks were delivered during the administration of oaths for newly appointed officials, including diplomatic appointees. He stressed that government positions are not ceremonial but carry responsibility to implement agreed policy frameworks.
“If you cannot align with our vision, decline the appointment,” the President said, underscoring that cohesion within the executive branch is critical.
He warned against what he described as internal resistance that slows implementation of government priorities. The President indicated that appointments are extended to individuals expected to contribute positively toward national transformation goals under the New Dawn administration.
The statement comes at a time when Zambia is approaching the August 13 general elections. Political activity has intensified across parties, and public messaging has sharpened as election timelines draw closer.
President Hichilema framed alignment not as personal loyalty, but as commitment to the broader national development agenda adopted by his government. He emphasised performance, delivery and accountability within public institutions.
The President also criticised what he described as complacency in certain public offices, stating that government representation, particularly in foreign missions, must reflect professionalism and measurable results. He signalled that diplomatic and administrative roles should advance Zambia’s economic and governance interests rather than operate in isolation from central policy direction.
The remarks appear to reinforce earlier messaging from the executive regarding performance management and restructuring within public service institutions. Cabinet reshuffles and reassignments in recent months have been accompanied by repeated calls for discipline and implementation consistency.
The President’s directive places responsibility on appointees to self-assess their willingness to execute government programmes before accepting office. According to the report, the administration expects full adherence to policy direction once appointments are made.
Zambia’s general elections will determine leadership at presidential, parliamentary and local government levels. Political observers note that internal cohesion within governing structures becomes increasingly important during election periods, when administrative effectiveness is closely scrutinised.
By publicly stating that individuals should decline appointments if they cannot align, the President signals a tightening of executive expectations around loyalty to policy direction and delivery benchmarks.
The message also functions as guidance to prospective appointees amid ongoing administrative changes. It reinforces the principle that acceptance of office implies commitment to implementing government priorities without reservation.
Zambia will hold general elections on August 13, 2026, covering presidential, parliamentary and local government positions. The President’s directive to appointees comes within that broader political calendar.
His position, as stated during the swearing-in ceremony, is that acceptance of office requires full commitment to implementing government policy. Individuals unwilling to align with that direction, he said, should decline appointments.
But policy direction must not clash with the wishes of the people. If true that Elijah Muchima was fired for voting against bill 7, that would be injustice of the worst order. Even if you agree in cabinet about something, when the minister goes to parliament as an MP a representative of the people and not a representative of the President, the wishes of his constituents must come first and that should never warrant a dismissal from a cabinet position. That is the true position of what is called democracy
Dream on. It’s all about who holds the whip…..and who in turn he is obeying.
I think there is an element of misdirection here. A Cabinet Minister does not represent the President but Government. When a final decision is made by Cabinet in a Cabinet meeting and has to be tabled before Parliament the collective responsibility of Cabinet is non-optional by oath sworn. That is why the elementof resignation applies as an option. One can not have it both ways lest we promote mediocrity and failed governance.
And in a liberal democracy, policy must be challenged, and architects of policy must realign to the wishes of the people.
Then you will be fired like the minister of health.
No quarrel with that.
I for one declined my appointment cos I couldn’t see any original policy direction. It’s free masonry. Its all from the EU and Washington while we all dance to “His Master’s voice”
Most dont have the guts to speak out
Scared of losing such a free stipend. All you do is say yes and at the monthend there’s a fat cheque
I think there is an element of misdirection here. A Cabinet Minister does not represent the President but Government. When a final decision is made by Cabinet in a Cabinet meeting and has to be tabled before Parliament the collective responsibility of Cabinet is non-optional by oath sworn. That is why the elementof resignation applies as an option. One can not have it both ways lest we promote mediocrity and failed governance.
During appointments its good to give the positives all the best to the appointed