By Dr. Field C. Ruwe
African Autonomy vs Oppenheimer’s Neoliberal Imperialism
Recent political comparative analyses indicate that Captain Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso has eclipsed President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia in Africa’s quest for economic autonomy. Recognized as one of the youngest heads of state globally, the 38-year-old Traore has attracted considerable interest from Africa’s youth, who commemorated Hichilema’s decisive victory on August 16, 2021.
The ascent of Hichilema in 2021 was regarded as a significant milestone in African politics, driven by the urgent aspiration of African youths for African autonomy. His triumph was achieved through the “Silent Revolution,” which was partially propelled by a digital alliance of Zambian social media influencers, among them Joseph Kalimbwe, Mutale Mwanza, and Mwizukanji, who leveraged social media to remove President Edgar Lungu through the electoral process.
The Silent Revolution was hatched out of the Tunisian Revolution (Dec 17, 2010-Jan 14, 2011) that ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, profoundly reshaping African politics. The revolution’s slogan, “The people demand the fall of the regime” became a cross-border anthem for protesters across Africa demanding Pan-African governance that catered to their needs.
It was the first time in Africa, the youth used social media to circumvent censorship, coordinate protests, disseminate information, expose police brutality, and remove a sitting president. The success of the revolution served as the catalyst for a broader African awakening that led to the removal of Egyptian Hosni Mubarak (2011), Zimbabwean Robert Mugabe (2017), South African Jacob Zuma (2018), and Sudanese Omar al-Bashir (2019).
Similarly, the youth-led voter mobilization in Zambia brought an end to the progressively autocratic governance of Edgar Lungu. The remarkable voter turnout observed on election day was referred to as a “Ballot Revolution,” which caused youths across Sub-Saharan Africa to join in the celebration of Hichilema’s triumph, deemed a model for the peaceful removal of African dictators.
In South Africa, ecstatic youths disseminated videos of Hichilema’s inaugural address, highlighting his commitments to African autonomy. Their plea revolved around “Economic Pan-Africanism”—an ideology based on “sell Africa to Africans,” intended to achieve collective self-reliance and the empowerment of African nations.
What the youths of South Africa, as well as the broader African youth, including the Zambian youths who voted for Hichilema did not know was that he does not identify himself as a Pan-Africanist. He belongs to the reactionary African bourgeoisie or comprador elite. By virtue of his wealth, estimated at $340 million as of early 2026, according to Al Jazeera, his cattle ranch, together with property investments in South Africa and the UK, and his cabal (secret faction) connections, he identifies himself as a neo-liberal imperialist.
Within the framework of radical Pan-Africanism and anti-imperialism discourse, an African neo-liberal imperialist such as Hichilema is viewed as a “neocolonial servant” and is considered an enemy of the African continent. This perception arises from his prioritization of foreign investment and the repayment of debts owed to the IMF and World Bank. His policies frequently trap resource-abundant Zambia in cycles of foreign exploitation, aimed at fulfilling substantial interest payments that result in severe poverty for local communities.
According to the World Bank 2025 report, Zambia faces the highest levels of poverty globally, with over 64% of the population living on less than $2.15 a day. The Gini Index shows stark inequalities in income and wealth distribution. The top 10% of the population controls 56% of income and 68% of wealth, while the bottom half owns just 9% income and 3% wealth.
These disheartening statistics were released at the height of recognition of Hichilema as one of the world leaders for 2025 by The Telegraph. His selection was not attributed to the transformation of Zambia into a self-sufficient country, to thecontrary, it stemmed from his involvement in global geopolitics, his openness to foreign investment and his mineral diplomacy that enabled foreign access to Zambian resources.
In order to secure support from Western nations, Hichilema has found it necessary to acquiesce to their influence and cultivate personal connections that diverge from the interests of the broader Zambian population. Rather than prioritizing local needs, he has engaged with international cartels, trusts, and foundations, relocating Zambian resources to their organizations, a move that mirrors crony capitalism.
One notable foundation is the now-defunct Brenthurst Foundation, which was founded in 2004 by the Oppenheimer family, known for their involvement with De Beers and Anglo American in South Africa. The foundation is the reason Hichilema is president of Zambia. According to Africa Confidential, Oppenheimer played a role in ensuring Hichilema was elected president, and in transforming him into an imperialist president.
Africa Confidential claims that the foundation is alleged to have been involved in a conspiracy to assist Hichilema in achieving victory in the 2021 election by offering strategic political counsel and financial support. Africa Confidential further states that once Hichilema took office, he enacted policies that were consistent with the Brenthurst Foundation’s Western/neoliberal perspective, which emphasized foreign investment.
Disclosures akin to those made by Africa Confidential have tarnished Hichilema’s reputation among his fellow African leaders. His opponents portray him as a “sellout” who is catering to “Rhodes-Oppenheimer,” thus facilitating “state capture” by foreign entities. After it became known that Hichilema was prioritizing foreign individuals and concepts over local alternatives, Zambian social media influencers who previously supported his election campaign shifted their focus to Ibrahim Traore.
I googled Traore’s achievements since October 21, 2022:
Natural Resources: Reclaimed control over all natural resources. Economic autonomy: Nationalized two major gold mines and stopped exporting gold to Europe. IMF: Rejected assistance from IMF and World Bank. Health: 100% free medical care for all citizens. Education: Scholarships for Nuclear Science. Processing Plants: Cashew and Cotton.
Evidently, Traore’s achievements are the reason young Zambians and their peers across Africa favor him over Hichilema. They see Thomas Sankara in Ibrahim Traore. Renowned for his saying, “he who feeds you, controls you,” Sankara, during his presidency in Burkina Faso (1983-1987), dismissed foreign aid and promoted self-reliance.
A Vote for Hichilema is a Forfeiture of Economic Autonomy
Due to Hichilema’s identity as a neo-liberal imperialist, he is incapable of providing self-reliance for Zambians, regardless of the duration of his tenure. Under his governance, Zambia is perpetually confined to “indirect rule” by Western powers.
The neo-liberal doctrine is perceived as a system that enables foreign corporations to extract copper using foreign labor, rather than promoting a self-sustaining domestic economy led by Zambian workers. Job opportunities are limited because neo-liberalism utilizes legal and institutional frameworks to restrict post-colonial sovereignty and protect the international division of labor, rather than encouraging economic self-determination.
Zambia urgently needs a leader of Traore’s caliber; a leader who emphasizes nationalization and redistribution efforts to recover wealth and reduce dependence on foreign investment. The decision this year, should revolve around African autonomy, which has fostered economic advancement in Burkina Faso, versus liberal imperialism, characterized under Hichilema by four years of severe poverty, wealth inequality, and intermittent power outages.
In the months leading up to this year’s presidential elections, it is crucial to keep in mind that Jonathan Oppenheimer’s objective is to preserve Zambia’s existing condition in which the owner of the mineral resources continues to be a constant subordinate, and the investor takes on the position of ultimate authority.
If you, the youth of Zambia, aspire to break away from the shackles of the West, it is essential you come together once again and emulate the actions taken in 2021, which led to the removal of a sitting president from State House through the electoral process. There is a Traore in Zambia. Find him. The forthcoming election offers you an opportunity to once again showcase the potential of Zambian youth to the older generation. Start your mobilization today!
Author is a Doctor of Education and a scholar practitioner, affiliated with Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
In Burkina Fasso the masses are applauding their man for the tangible and visible change in peoples livelyhoods, here it is the leaders in government applauding themselves whilst peoples lives have not changed an inch
And the man there never even promised heaven on earth like it was here. K50 Mealie meal, K250 fertiliser, K12 fuel(Vaboza). Then you come say there was a drought and debt as if these were not there in the previous regime. We have not even servicing our debt.
Zambia has been working for the past four years to recover from a significant fiscal deficit. It is inappropriate to compare a nation with a democratically elected government to that of Traore, where democracy is absent. One cannot anticipate economic growth within just five years when the country was in critical condition. The positive effects will eventually reach the populace as the GDP increases. However, this does not occur instantaneously. It requires nurturing, much like a plant. Common sense should be applied. The individuals who once governed us defaulted on repaying the loans they took, which resulted in penalties.
@Asit itisIf ….If you desire affordable mealie meal, you should begin farming. Conduct a fundamental analysis of demand and supply. Are you aware of the cost involved in cultivating 10 bags of 90 kilograms of maize? Zambia was a nation in disarray, with minimal activity; only a handful of individuals were benefiting from government funds without contributing to GDP growth. Can you fathom a growth rate of -1.8%? What absurdity is this? They were acquiring your petrol on credit without settling the payments, and you seem content.
Fault lines showing Field; You say the youth propelled HH and you pick on of ECL’s concunbine as one of the agents: WRONG. Then you say the SA Foundation is responsible, just give the MAN his credit he mobilsed all resources and voters to effect regime change. He did it and he’s Zambian, I know we suffer from inferioty complex as zambians, always looking outside for crediting and never inwards.
He is the wrong one because he is the only president in the history of planet earth to stop the burial of a dead ex president.
Dude you are lost! It’s the family which stopped the burial of ECL. Not the bull#hit U r saying
It’s family, It’s HH, it’s the courts,
By wanting to insert himself into the process HH stopped the process.
Does that have to be explained to adults? No only kindergarten kids don’t know that.
stay away from their process ba upnd.
Article is incomplete. Who is the right president?
How do you compare an unelected military dictator to a democratically elected leader? What information can one get out of Burkina Faso?
@Gunner. The comparison is not between the two presidents but between Pan-Africanism and Liberalism. Dr. Ruwe is showing the impact of each on Zambians. Beyond being a military leader, Traore believes in Burkin Faso resources beloniogn to Burkinas and providing jobs for them. Whereas Hichilima belives in working with external forces and making them the miners of copper.
One thing for sure, If President HH is defeated at the next general elections, it won’t take before the electorate realise that they have made a massive error in removing him. Remember in Africa we erroneously believe the President creates jobs. Zambia needs a few Dangotes! Nothing to prevent any of us to start up companies and employ our fellow Zambians. It is not space science!
Thats correct
Most cant see it HH is not suited to this postion
Should he win after that term will be tears and remorse as the passed Some too thick to foresee
These are two totally different governance systems. The Burkina Faso Model revolves around a person or hero who makes decisions alone without consulting anyone and who is mortal man that can be removed anytime with a successor whose policies can reverse everything in a short time and it is thus not sustainable. The Zambian Model is institution based and thus over rides replaceable presidents by voting and not coup de tat . Compare mango to mango and not mango with cucumber, sir. Think broader sir, both short term, long term and cast wider non myopic eye
The article is too convoluted. It has some good pints though. The truth be said, Zambians had high hopes of HH/UPND based on the promises made to the over twenty years in opposition. However, the UPND have let the country down, with below average performance. You can’t achieve meaningful outcomes without a broad based vision, economic development framework and development roadmap.
Debt Ratio Comparison Summary
Country Debt-to-GDP Ratio (Recent Est.)
Burkina Faso ~52.7% – 58.6% – Moderate levels; impacted by security challenges.
Zambia ~71.4% – 82.5% – High levels; historically faced default issues.
(Online sources)
Now, can one simply compare the two economies as an indicator or leaders’ performance? Answer is NO!
This article is based mainly on falsehoods and lies. HH cannot be said to be an “imperialist” president because Zambia has not acquired any foreign lands during his presidency. And there is no evidence that HH has engaged with international cartels, trusts, and foundations, relocating Zambian resources to their organizations. Ibrahim Traore’s policies are socialist in nature, like KK’s disastrous policies between 1968 and 1990. Traore’s supporters should wait for at least 15 years when their national economy will very likely come to a standstill. By the way, any country that discourages foreign investment and engages in nationalization of private assets is doomed to fail in its efforts to improve the livelihoods of its citizens.
True!
UNPD propaganda. Oppenheimer is the imperialist in this article and Hichilema is the pawn. He was part of the Brenthurst cabal. Mines are under the control of imperialists!!!
Truthful … can a company or organization be said to be “imperialist”?
An “imperialist” is a national leader who pursues a policy of forming and maintaining an empire, as by establishing colonies; or one who pursues a policy of seeking to dominate the affairs of weaker nations. HH is certainly NOT such a leader!
@ Kisumpa. Imperialist organizations are entities—including states, multinational corporations (MNCs), and financial institutions—that exert economic, political, or military control over foreign territories and populations to exploit resources, labor, and markets.
Key examples often cited include the U.S. government, NATO, the IMF, the World Bank, and large multinational corporations.
Source:https://www.google.com/search?q=Imperialist+organizations&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS1204US1204&oq=Imperialist+organizations&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yDQgCEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyBwgDEAAY7wUyBwgEEAAY7wUyCggFEAAYgAQYogTSAQkxMDgwOWowajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
The author can be a great propagandist for M’membe’s Socialist Party to advocate for utopian socialist policies and ideals that belong to the archives!