Political Reporter
Political commentators have strongly condemned the withdrawal of security details from Zambia’s former President, Edgar Lungu and described the incumbent Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema as a pseudo democrat.
The withdrawal of Lungu’s security details follows accusation by President Hichilema’s administration that the former President has not retired from politics as he was contemplating a political comeback in the next polls slated for 2026.
Political commentator, Professor Jonathan Moyo accused President Hichilema of practising politics of vengeance and said that the Zambian leader was not a democrat as he claims.
“Tellingly, the patently illegal decision has been taken on the basis of untested political "accusations.” President Hichilema's Government is proving that it is not what it was cracked up to be. This shows that opposition pretences to democracy and the rule of law are easy, but once in power as the government of the day, living up to commitments to democratic and constitutional rule is entirely another thing,” said Professor Moyo.
Another political analyst, Hopewell Chin’ono further described President Hichilema as a dictator and urged him not to be possessed by politics of vengeance.
“This is tragic; politics of revenge will never take Zambia anywhere! We should condemn brutal regimes and also condemn politics of revenge by supposed democrats who pursue revenge instead of nation building. Edgar Lungu was a terrible Zambian President, but he is entitled to security as a former Head of State regardless! This behaviour by the new Zambian administration makes Africa look like a comical continent where dictatorships are replaced by new dictatorships which behave equally badly! Why can’t President Hichilema concentrate on building Zambia instead of being obsessed with politics of revenge? This is really petty, leadership requires mature and visionary minds not this pettiness,” said Chin’ono.
Meanwhile, Lungu’s Patriotic Front (PF) party has described the withdrawal of his security details as a coordinated harassment and attack on the former President. PF presidential aspirant, Emmanuel Mwamba said the removal of police officers at Mr Lungu’s house was total harassment and should be condemned.
