CHILUBA’S THIRD TERM DEBATE — AND WHY I KEEP THINKING ABOUT THE HH WE KNOW================ Authored By; Mupishi Jones Sometimes you have to go back into Zambia’s political history before you can understand the noise we are hearing today. In the early 2000s, Zambia went through one of the biggest political battles of the Third […]

CHILUBA’S THIRD TERM DEBATE — AND WHY I KEEP THINKING ABOUT THE HH WE KNOW
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Authored By; Mupishi Jones

Sometimes you have to go back into Zambia’s political history before you can understand the noise we are hearing today.

In the early 2000s, Zambia went through one of the biggest political battles of the Third Republic — President Frederick Chiluba’s third term bid.

MMD supporters were saying, “Let Chiluba continue!” But Zambians from all corners — the Church, civil society, students, traditional leaders — stood up and said NO. The Constitution is bigger than one man.

Eventually, Chiluba himself came out and said, “I will not pursue a third term.” History recorded him as a statesman who listened.

Now look at where we are today, just 3 weeks after President Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in for his second term on September 1st!

Voices have started calling for HH to remain beyond 2031.

UPND Proportional MP Florence Chileshe Chama, one of the 17 women nominated under PR, said in a video on September 20th that “women don’t want democracy but development” and that can be achieved by supporting HH beyond 2031.

UPND official Michael Chuzu has said HH is completing Anderson Mazoka’s term and will start his own in 2031. Tayali has said removing the limit will strengthen democracy.

And immediately, the whole country started debating!

But here is where I want Zambians to be very careful and very fair.

State House has distanced President Hichilema from these calls. Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka said Zambians should not focus on the third term question but on the President’s development agenda. He assured that HH will not govern based on social media commentary. 1ddb

UPND has also said it has no position. Deputy Secretary General Gertrude Imenda said removing presidential term limits is Chama’s personal wish and the party has NOT discussed it to arrive at a position. 11b0

Even Hon. Sylvia Masebo has publicly said pursuing a third term is NOT HH’s intention.

So I don’t think we should automatically put every statement made by a UPND supporter into HH’s mouth. That would be unfair.

And this is where I keep thinking about the HH WE KNEW before he became President.

Because the HH we knew spoke STRONGLY about term limits. He warned against creating special arrangements for leaders to remain in office longer. He opposed constitutional changes that weaken democracy and rule of law.

The HH we knew believed in constitutionalism, democracy and peaceful transfer of power. He believed Zambia’s Constitution — Article 106(3) which says a person who has twice held office as President is not eligible for election — is very clear.

So when I hear people now saying “Let HH stay beyond 2031,” I honestly ask myself: Is this really what the man we supported stood for?

For me, supporting HH should not mean supporting everything said in his name. We supported certain PRINCIPLES for a reason. Let us not lose those principles simply because our person is now the one in State House.

And if the President still holds the position he expressed before taking office, there is nothing wrong with him reminding the country of that position clearly and early. That will kill this debate once and for all.

Because the same Zambians who rejected Chiluba’s third term, rejected the removal of term limits in Chona, Mvunga, Mwanakatwe and Mung’omba commissions — they have always rejected it. 9c09

My question to you Zambia:

Do you believe the HH we knew is still the same HH when it comes to presidential term limits, or do you think circumstances have changed?

Mupishi Jones
Political Analyst | 30,000 Followers
Lusaka, Zambia