Hichilema’s silence troubling, says Mwila-Chigaga

Hichilema’s silence troubling, says Mwila-Chigaga

By Tony Nkhoma

THE failure and inaction by President Hakainde Hichilema to provide leadership on the state of affairs concerning the death of former president Edgar Lungu is hurting the nation, Mwila Banda Chigaga has said.

Lungu died in South Africa, where he was receiving treatment, last Thursday

Mwila-Chigaga, widow of the late former finance minister in the United National Independence Party (UNIP) government Gibson Chigaga wondered why Hichilema had opted to remain silent when the nation needed his leadership the most.

She said Zambians were shocked by Hichilema’s inaction over the funeral of Lungu.

In an interview with The Mast, Mwila–Chigaga said Hichilema should have provided guidance on the tragedy that had befallen the country.

“Where is the President? That is all I am asking. I’m directly asking the President, where are you at this moment? Isn’t that the nation needs your leadership? That’s the question,” Mwila-Chigaga said.

She said Hichilema as sitting head of state should stand up and provide the much expected and needed leadership.

Mwila-Chigaga said the death of a former head of state could not be handled by anyone in government but required special address and commitment from the sitting president.

She noted that the inaction by Hichilema raised serious concerns among stakeholders in the nation, the international community and various stakeholders.

“Because for me at this time, what we need from him [HH] is leadership. This is his moment to provide leadership to the country. This is the time for him to show hope for Zambia. This is the time to unite us. So, where is he? This is my question,” Mwila-Chigaga said.

She said Hichilema should have been the first to address the nation on the matter and should have continued assuring the nation about the progress made in repatriating the remains of the late former president.

“This is his job as President, to lead us. I would have expected that in this difficult moment, the President would have addressed the nation, to unify us, to assure us and to inspire us, but nothing. So, no wonder people are talking. That, yes, we have a leader who is leading us. I think this is what we need. You know, in our culture, once we are bereaved, the most important thing we do is come together to make sure that we bury the dead, so that his soul goes to rest in peace,” Mwila-Chigaga said.

She said former first lady Esther Lungu was in deep pain, and urged her to remain strong and allow for the smooth burial of the former head of state.

“I’m very aware that she’s hurting. The pain is immense. We understand her anger, but we also as a nation are with her and the family in mourning our late president. But it is better, so that we do the right thing and bury our former president properly in unity. So that his soul rests in peace,” Mwila-Chigaga Mwila-Chigaga said.