Zambia Is At Peace, Hichilema Tells UN As Opposition Says Country Is In Crisis

President Hakainde Hichilema told the United Nations General Assembly that Zambia is peaceful, stable and open for investment after last month’s elections. At home, opposition leaders rejected the message, saying the country is sliding into a deepening post-election crisis.

The statement was delivered on Saturday night at the 81st session of the Assembly in New York, and was read on the President’s behalf by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Mulambo Haimbe, who opened with a direct assurance.

“It is important to emphasise that Zambia is not at war. Zambia is a peaceful, stable and sovereign nation,” Mr Haimbe said.

The Head of State said the conduct of the August 13 general election, before, during and after voting, reflected citizens’ enduring commitment to democracy, national unity and constitutional governance. He acknowledged the differences that naturally come with a democratic contest, but said Zambia had shown they can be resolved through established constitutional and legal institutions.

“Our democratic process should never be mistaken for conflict or instability,” President Hichilema said. “Our message is clear: Zambia is at peace, Zambia is open for partnership, and Zambia is ready to grow.”

He said necessary measures, within the confines of the law, would be taken to prevent political disputes from degenerating into violence, armed mobilisation, insurgency or the emergence of militia groups.

The address doubled as an investment pitch. Mr Hichilema presented the Grow Zambia Agenda as the framework for moving the economy from basic fiscal stabilisation to wealth creation and job growth, with opportunities in mining, critical minerals, agriculture, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, tourism and digital services.

“Our message to investors is: come to Zambia. Invest with us. Produce with us. Trade with us. Grow with us. Zambia is open for investment,” he said.

On climate, the President said Zambia was ready to contribute to global solutions, but those who contributed least to climate change must not bear a disproportionate share of its costs. He called for a fairer and more responsive global financial architecture, and reiterated support for United Nations reform, including permanent African representation on the Security Council in line with the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration.

He also thanked international election observation missions for their contribution. Mr Haimbe used the platform to reaffirm Zambia’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council for the 2027 to 2029 term, describing it as a reflection of the country’s commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms and human rights.

The message met firm resistance at home. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) president Kasonde Mwenda said Zambians should be worried about a President who claims there is no crisis while the situation worsens.

“It is worrisome for Zambians to hear a President they expect to set the tone for resolving national problems declare that there is no crisis in the country when the crisis is deeper and degenerating,” Mr Mwenda said.

He said Zambians were living through their most difficult period since independence, and that the President’s assertions pushed citizens who look up to him into hopelessness.

“We have a disputed election and a polarised nation and political situation,” he said.

Mr Mwenda listed what he said citizens wanted answered: the blocked presidential election petition, alleged abductions and arbitrary arrests, and rising post-election tension. He singled out the long detention of opposition leaders Brian Mundubile, Makebi Zulu and 16 others, who face treason charges.

“The accused are technically serving a sentence since treason is unbailable even before they appear in court,” he said. “The best the State could do for now is to free them as it continues its search for evidence.”

He added that the President’s tone at Friday’s swearing-in of the Deputy Auditor General suggested there was no room for reconciliation and healing, and urged the Head of State to search his heart.

Green Party leader Peter Sinkamba went further, likening the President’s claim of peace and tranquillity to shooting himself in the foot and questioning the role of those advising him.

“The Security and Law Enforcement Community briefs the President daily through intelligence reports, even on the tiny things,” Mr Sinkamba said. “If intelligence reports are indicating that there is no crisis, then the problem is with the advisors. But if intelligence indicates that there is a post-election crisis in the country and the Head of State is ignoring that, then the President is shooting himself in the foot.”

He said international bodies, including the European Union and the African Union, many of which helped finance the polls, had raised red flags about the election, and that international monitoring missions had witnessed the process and its aftermath first-hand.

“The whole world is watching,” Mr Sinkamba said.

Mr Hichilema now takes the same investment message to the United Arab Emirates, where he will be on a working visit on Tuesday and Wednesday at the invitation of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

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