SA silence on HH victory speaks volumes, says Chulumanda
By Thandizo Banda
IT is shocking that, a month after Zambia held its general election and the declaration of President Hakainde Hichilema’s victory, regional heavyweights such as South Africa have not congratulated him, former Zambia’s ambassador to Mozambique, Eswatini and Mauritius, George Chulumanda has said.
But State House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka says Hichilema will not seek endorsement or congratulatory messages from foreign states over his victory.
Commenting on diplomatic ties between Zambia and the region, Chulumanda said the signal was clear that ties had been frozen over the disputed outcome of the August 13 election and a blocked election petition.
He said it was not clear why South African President Cyril Ramaphosa remained publicly and diplomatically silent on Zambia’s election outcome, while Commonwealth legal experts had called for the restoration of democracy in the country.
“Most regional and international leaders have read EU, Commonwealth and SADC reports. They see no reason to congratulate such a winner. Congratulations are being held hostage by credibility questions. No head of state wants to endorse a process under a cloud,” he said.
Chulumanda, a former Nkana Member of Parliament, accused the UPND of dodging accountability by shutting down courts as main opposition challenger Brian Mundubile moved to file a petition.
“Zambia is a constitutional democracy. The winner, Hichilema, squandered a chance to prove he won by blocking the petition. Shutting courts has never happened anywhere in the world,” he said.
He warned against any talk of extending presidential terms being fronted by UPND surrogates, saying Zambians had rejected it before.
“Zambians rejected third-term bids during former presidents Frederick Chiluba and Edgar Lungu. We don’t want to go back to dictatorship. The five-year term must stay,” Chulumanda said.
Chulumanda said only five regional leaders attended Hichilema’s inauguration, a sign he said was concerning.
“We hear that among those presidents that attended the inauguration one was at pains to explain to his citizens back home why he attended a tainted election. For now, the region and, by extension, the world is watching. And waiting. Zambia is under global scrutiny and at a crossroads,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hamasaka said Hichilema will not go around seeking endorsements and congratulatory messages from foreign states because such gestures were made of their own volition.
He said this when asked to comment on the failure by regional heavyweights to congratulate Hichilema on his victory in the controversial August 13 general election.
“First of all, we don’t go round seeking foreign governments to congratulate us. And for anything of that nature, call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said.
In a separate interview with The Mast, historian Dr Euston Chiputa said South Africa was holding back pending verification.
Dr Chiputa said President Ramaphosa was also fighting his impeachment at home.
He said the Anglican Church in Cape Town condemned Zambia’s post – election fiasco, which had culminated in the detention of retired Bishop Trevor Mwamba and others had observed red flags.
“The silence is too loud. Zambia is landlocked. We need SA, Tanzania and DRC corridors open,” Dr Chiputa warned.
He said it was unfortunate that there were proposals by UPND to move the presidential tenure from five to seven years, with extremists pushing for 10 years.
“Extending the term will be sprinkling salt on an injury. President HH is presiding over a polarised nation. Even France moved from 7 to 5. He should never tamper with it. Government must stop taking citizens for granted. Fix livelihoods. And read social media. It’s the barometer. Had the petition been heard and the military not deployed, there would be no unrest,” Dr Chiputa said.
