HH warns Zambia will not return to violent political culture
President Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated that Zambia will not revisit the turbulent political climate associated with violence and confrontational mobilisation, saying the country’s future depends on maintaining a stable and peaceful civic environment. He delivered the remarks during the Evangelical Church in Zambia’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations at the Matero congregation in Lusaka, where he joined church members for the commemorative service.
Hichilema said Zambia’s democracy has matured because citizens have consistently chosen dialogue over confrontation. He noted that periods of political tension in previous years created anxiety among residents, disrupted local economic activities and strained relationships within communities. According to him, the country should learn from these experiences and avoid behaviour that undermines public safety or disturbs daily activities in neighbourhoods.
He told congregants that political violence affects citizens who are not always involved in disputes. He said confrontations often interfere with trading, schooling and household responsibilities, adding that they divert attention from development needs in communities. Maintaining peace, he said, is therefore not only a governance issue but a practical necessity for families across the country.
Hichilema emphasised that every Zambian has a responsibility to preserve order. He said individuals must reject calls for confrontational actions that threaten public safety or disturb community life. He urged citizens to speak up when they see behaviour that may escalate tensions, noting that peace is preserved when communities collectively reject violence.
He also encouraged church leaders to continue supporting national conversations through balanced, factual guidance that helps citizens understand governance processes. He said institutions such as the church provide important platforms for reflection and dialogue, enabling people to participate constructively in issues affecting the country.
The President said constitutional and governance discussions should be approached calmly, with room for differing opinions. He said the ability to discuss sensitive matters without confrontation reflects the maturity of the country’s democratic systems. He stressed that constitutional engagement must take place in an atmosphere where citizens feel safe to express themselves.
He reminded congregants that Zambia’s progress is linked to its reputation for peace, which has made the country a stable destination for investment and regional cooperation. He said preserving this image requires all citizens, including political players, to prioritise responsible conduct over actions that fuel tension.
Hichilema noted that public order is central to efforts aimed at improving essential services and expanding economic opportunities. He explained that instability disrupts government programmes and limits support reaching communities. He said peaceful conduct helps sustain development initiatives meant to enhance livelihoods.
He urged political actors to guide their supporters toward respectful engagement. He said leadership must avoid encouraging emotions that heighten confrontation and instead promote discussions grounded in facts. Clear communication, he said, helps reduce misunderstandings that often cause unnecessary tension.
The President added that Zambia’s long-term aspirations rely on stable communities where people can work, trade and raise families in secure environments. He said past incidents of violence demonstrated how easily public order can be disrupted when political actors allow disagreements to escalate.
He concluded by encouraging Zambians to continue building a society where disputes are resolved through lawful channels. He said peaceful civic participation is essential to protecting the gains the country has made since independence and to ensuring future generations inherit a stable and united nation.a
In the past 4 years ,I don’t think any UPND cadre despite them locking offices of appointed and elected officials, storming the catholic radio in Mpika, collecting money in bus stops and markets but doing under radar to avoid detection, sitting on speeding motor vehicle roof tops and windows, insulting former President ECL with big insults threatening him with circumcision, no cadre has been brought to book.
And yet he is the primary driver of political violence in the country.
The PF thugs are fostering violence under the radar like we don’t know. I am saying what I know. Most of my friends and associates joined PF including some of my own family members. Their complaints a d whining are nothing but NJALA. Once a person got to used to steal from cookie jar and life becomes easy, it’s all smile. Corruption and violence was their daily bread, the PF thugs. Remember this, “EVEN GOOD THINGS CAME TO AN END” how about the worst PF nightmare innocent Zambians experienced.
Warn Warn Warn whilst peace must be maintained for the sake of all
A question must be asked WHY are the Masses Fedup ?
Loadshedding
Fuel Shortage
High Cost of living
LUNGU
Load shedding energy crisis has been in build up for a long time. And I’m glad we had a drought to expose the problem. HnH is going to fix it i did not to sit on the problem.
Fuel shortage, you have no oil reserves or oil Wells. You buy oil on the world market and you are competing with other countries with huge population. Your currency is not as strong in the world.
Yes, higher cost of living. Policies from previous governments, manifested higher cost of production and also never tackled to solve the problems that are associated with manufacturing and agriculture. This is a work in progress and things will get better as the GDP and inflation numbers are dropping drastically.
All those are problems crafted,birthed and nursed by Lungu’s own misgovernance.
Things have been getting better for 60 years
upnd had choice to make they follow Spaka sadly
Yes, after independence in 1964 things have been getting better. What matters is the rate of change with local and foreign factors which involves a multipronged strategy. I will not waste my time talking about PF but the UPND typical approach, a great intervention to stimulate demand and create jobs. You have to understand all the policies is a practical manner. For example, increase government focusing on public work, I am talking about infrastructure projects which you see every day. Transparent deals and not those shady ones from previous government, talking about pricing. There are so many things in pipeline, people don’t realize how long it takes to cleanse what was a mess. We will start seeing good fruits, not today or tomorrow but the day after tomorrow. Meaning in 10 to 15 yrs
And all those ministers fired under hh no reelection next year including all who have been mp for 15 years and above