President Hichilema Confronts Public Discontent in Zambia

President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia was confronted by protestors who threw stones during a rally in Copperbelt province. Video footage showed the President taking cover before being escorted from the event. This incident occurred approximately nine months before national elections, where President Hichilema is expected to seek a second term.

Presidential Response and Policy Defense

In response to the growing criticism, President Hichilema held his first press conference in 18 months. During the conference, he defended his administration's performance, highlighting achievements in economic stabilization and power generation. He appealed for national unity and commented on the presence of "hatred."

On November 8, President Hichilema visited Chingola town to allocate $450,000 for the reconstruction of a market destroyed by fire. However, he was compelled to discontinue his address due to crowd disturbances. Police attributed the unrest to "unruly members of the public" involved in alleged looting, leading to 27 arrests for violence and arson. President Hichilema stated that illegal artisanal miners were responsible for the violence, asserting that his government would not tolerate such actions.

Economic Landscape and Public Concerns

President Hichilema secured his presidential victory in 2021 after five previous attempts, campaigning on a platform to address significant national issues including debt default, an annual inflation rate of approximately 25%, and frequent power outages. His campaign slogan was "Bally will fix it."

Since taking office, debt repayments have been renegotiated, and annual inflation has decreased. This week, President Hichilema affirmed that Zambia's credit rating has improved, attracting international investment, and the mining sector is showing signs of recovery.

Economist Trevor Hambayi described the progress in national finances as an "overriding success story." Improved budgetary controls have reportedly increased investment in:

• Infrastructure
• Education
• Social programs
• Health services
• Government employment

Annual inflation has reduced to just under 12%, and the national currency, the kwacha, has recently strengthened. However, Hambayi also noted that the unresolved power crisis, high cost of living, and limited employment opportunities continue to impact the daily lives of Zambian citizens.

An October report from the Lusaka-based Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection indicated that high prices for essential food and non-food items consume a significant portion of household incomes. The report also stated that despite easing inflation, many families still struggle to afford basic necessities without compromising food quality or quantity. President Hichilema acknowledged the challenges posed by power outages in September and reiterated this week that Zambia's hydroelectricity-reliant generation capacity had been "decapitated" by a recent drought. He committed to developing more solar and thermal energy projects.

Governance and Legal Framework

Throughout his 15 years in opposition, President Hichilema was known for advocating democratic principles. However, since assuming office, his administration has faced accusations of implementing measures he previously opposed, such as the Cybersecurity Law. This legislation, intended to combat issues like online fraud and child pornography, has drawn criticism for potentially enabling state surveillance of individuals deemed undesirable.

Dr. Sishuwa Sishuwa, a Zambian historian, asserted that President Hichilema has utilized this law against political opponents, a practice he criticized under the preceding administration. Sishuwa also noted arrests for various charges including sedition, criminal libel, hate speech, espionage, and unlawful assembly, following the abolition of the defamation of the president law. President Hichilema maintains that his government upholds the rule of law and does not target individuals for political reasons.

President Hichilema also supports a constitutional review process, which includes a proposal to increase the number of parliamentary constituencies. While in opposition, he successfully opposed a similar initiative, arguing it was an attempt by the then-President Lungu to prolong his tenure and was too close to an election for such a substantial change. He now states that the constitution mandates the creation of new constituencies every decade to ensure equitable resource distribution. He criticized planned national prayers protesting this process, emphasizing that consultation processes and legal avenues for objection are available.

Conclusion

With national elections scheduled for next year, President Hichilema has appealed for public patience, stating that long-term development and investment programs require time to yield results.