……The former ruling party raises concerns over Democracy Summit

The former ruling Patriotic Front, PF, has strongly condemned the United States for dictating foreign policy to Africa. Vice President for the party, Given Lubinda, said the US government must respect the sovereignty of African countries and their right to choose which countries to befriend.

The former cabinet minister and former lawmaker was speaking ahead of the visit to Zambia by US Vice President Kamala Harris and the 29-30th US-sponsored Democracy Summit which the country co-hosts with Zambia along with Costa Rica, the Netherlands, and the Republic of Korea.

The remarks were prompted by the US Strategy Towards Sub-Sahara Africa issued in August last year which, among other things is intended to “counter harmful activities by the People’s Republic of China, Russia, and other foreign actors”. In addition, on 27th April 2022, the US Congress passed H.R. 7311 – entitled “Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa Act”.

The Patriotic Front is concerned that through these actions the United States is directing Africa’s foreign policy by labeling as hostile acts any dealings with Russia while warning that China does not mean well for Africa.

“We choose who our friends are. America cannot and must never choose friends for us nor dictate foreign policy”, Mr. Lubinda said. In addition, Mr. Lubinda quoted South Africa’s Nelson Mandela who famously said, “If there is a country in the world that has committed unspeakable atrocities, it is the United States of America. They do not care for human beings”.

Both the African Union and the Southern African Development Community have condemned the US “Countering Malign Russian Activities Act” and the strategy that describes China’s actions in Africa as hostile. The PF has consequently warned that should President Hakainde Hichilema align Zambia’s foreign policy with that of the US thereby departing from the non-aligned tradition, the party will be left with no choice but to ask the AU and SADC leaderships to declare the Zambian leader a hostile force.

Political observers in Lusaka have dismissed as cheap and desperate propaganda by the US to label China’s relations with Africa as harmful saying the relationship is marked by unprecedented investments in infrastructure worth billions of dollars. Instead, some historians are pointing to the more than 400 military interventions the US has made across the world in its 200yr-history for purposes that range from overthrowing governments, protecting puppet governments, imposing policy, territorial expansion, seeking economic interests, in search of natural resources, and extending and cementing national influence.

Furthermore, some political observers argue that the Democracy Summit, which some political leaders would rather it was cancelled, is a cover-up for America’s efforts to counter China’s rising and growing influence in Africa while strengthening its own influence.

They say that the countries, civil society, and business houses attending the Democracy Summit are unwittingly aiding the US agenda which some historians characterize as seeking to create the world in its own image, a phrase borrowed from the Christian Bible.

TWO opposition political leaders have observed that the UPND administration’s economic model being implemented is negatively affecting the under-privileged and have advised President Hakainde Hichilema to address the high cost of living because there is a risk that Zambians could resort to what is currently happening in South Africa and Kenya.

The Economic Front party and the New Heritage Party (NHP) have advised President Hichilema to stop thinking that those with divergent views on how best Zambia should be governed were his enemies.

Mr Wynter Kabimba, the leader of the Economic Front says one of the characteristics of a revolution in the world was spontaneity and that it would be prudent for the UPND administration to listen to the cries of citizens over the high cost of living after being promised that things would be better, cheaper and easier under President Hichilema.

Mr Kabimba said those who were raising concerns about the high cost of living, the Ndola-Lusaka dual carriageway, the breakdown in the rule of law and the political violence being perpetrated by the UPND cadres were not enemies of the State but were merely helping President Hichilema to govern the country the best way he could.

He said while the events in Kenya and South Africa could be isolated and not related, it would be folly for President Hichilema to think that what was happening in the two countries could not happen in Zambia.

And Ms Chishala Kateka, the president of the New Heritage Party says Zambians have been complaining about high cost of living from the days of MMD and the PF and that complained have continued into the UPND without getting any relief from the successive governments.

Ms Kateka said the frustrations among Zambians about the high cost of living were cumulative and that there could be a time when citizens would no longer hold on to their patience of things ever improving to their favour.

Lack of medicines in health facilities, the ever rising cost of living, decisions that seem not to be of benefit to Zambian, such as the 20,000 hectares for Kenyans, high cost of fuel, the foreign exchange rate that now seems to be in free fall and the very little money in circulation all are vexatious issue to Zambians. Not attending to these could see Zambians deciding to follow in the wake of those from other countries that took to the streets,” Ms Kateka said.

Last Saturday, President Hakainde Hichilema announced the creation of what he calls the Presidential Delivery Unit, herein referred to as PDU, with the mandate of ‘accelerating the implementation of high priority government programs and projects’.

In response to this announcement, the Media Director of the Patriotic Front, Antonio Mourinho Mwanza, has raised concerns about the newly formed PDU, stating that it is “akin to institutionalised corruption and raises more questions than answers.”

Mwanza also noted that the President did not cite any authority he used to appoint the PDU, which goes against the general rule and common practice. He further asked, “who will be financing the PDU? Which budget line will they be using since they are not part and parcel of the established government structure?”

The Media Director also raised concerns about the duplication of roles, as President Hichilema had previously appointed Dr Lawrence MWANAYANDA as his Special Assistant for Project Implementation and Monitoring, whose mandate is akin to, if not exactly the same as, that of the newly formed PDU. He questioned whether this was “the same bloating of government and wastage of taxpayers’ money that President SAMMY vehemently opposed when he was in opposition?”

Mwanza also drew attention to the constitutional implications of the PDU, stating that “the Constitution of Zambia in Article 114 gives Cabinet the sole authority to cause or ensure the implementation of all government programs and policies.” He questioned whether the PDU had taken over the powers of Cabinet and what role Cabinet and line ministries would play now that the role to implement government programs and policies had been given to Chipokota and Kamwambi.

Furthermore, the Media Director asked, “what criteria will Chipo and her friend Kamwambi be using to identify which programs, policies and projects are a priority and what will qualify a project to be priority?” He also questioned the reporting structure of the PDU, given that Ms. Kamwambi is a Permanent Secretary and reports to the Secretary to Cabinet, but has been assigned to State House and the President.

In addition, Mwanza raised concerns about accountability, given the far-reaching powers and political influence that Chipo and Kamwambi have been given, stating that it would be difficult for watchdog institutions and ordinary Zambians to hold them to account when they will be working under the powerful cover of State House and the President himself.

Mwanza called for the dissolution of the PDU, stating that it would create “some obscure untouchable ‘cartels’ that will be above the reproach of any authority other than State House and the President.” Instead, he urged the government to give “full mandate and authority to oversee the implementation of government programs, policies, and projects” to the duly established departments and units of government.

Mufulira’s Patriotic Front (PF) Kantanshi Member of Parliament Dr. Anthony Chanda Mumba has challenged the New Dawn Government to explain the benefits of the numerous trips President Hakainde Hichilema has been undertaking.

Dr. Mumba said President Hichilema has undertaken over 30 international trips since taking over as 7th Republican President in August 2021.

He said the presidential trips are unique and it is incumbent upon the Government to always explain to the people of Zambia the anticipated opportunities that may arise from these trips.

“The President has undertaken over 30 international trips since taking over as 7th Republican President. All these trips are unique and it is incumbent upon the Government to always explain to the people of Zambia the anticipated opportunities that may arise from these trips ranging from Job creation, infrastructure development, Trade, Finance as well as attracting Foreign Direct Investments. But guess what, this Government fails to communicate to the people of Zambia and in the process our people are lost in trying to understand Presidential trips, government programmes and so on,” Dr. Mumba said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Mumba said it is shocking that the government is silent about the upcoming Democracy Summit which will attract a number of countries including the Vice President of the United States of America Kamala D. Harris.

The Kantanshi lawmaker said he is hoping the government will improve communication especially in Parliament.

“Can you imagine next week on the 29th- 30th March we are Co- Hosting the Democracy Summit which will attract a number of countries including the Vice President of United States of America Kamala D. Harris coming from the biggest economy in the world but the New Dawn is “Silent” with no mention of any opportunities that may arise for the Zambian people. This could be business opportunities like hire of vehicles, supply of stationary, accommodation just to mention a few. What about the sideline meetings for Trade and Finance, Climate Change etc.Any way I hope they pull up their socks and communicate more especially in the People’s House the National Assembly. God Bless you,” Dr. Mumba said.

Zambia will on 29th and 30th March, 2023 co-host the second Summit for Democracy where 16 African countries are expected to participate.

Zambia will co-host the Summit with the United States of America, Costa Rica, the Netherlands and the Republic of Korea.

Speaking to journalists in Lusaka, Justice Minister Mulambo Haimbe said the 16 African countries that are expected to participate in the Summit include among others Angola, Botswana, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Others are Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia and Niger.

Mr. Haimbe said the Summit will be held under the theme ‘Free, Fair and Transparent elections in Africa’.

He explained that the objective of the second summit for Democracy is to underscore the global desire for Transparent, Accountable and Rights-Respecting Governance.

Mr. Haimbe noted that Zambia’s selection as host for the African region of the Summit comes against the background of the country’s strong commitment to the principles of Democratic Governance, respect for the rule of law and human rights.