Tell Zambia, bullying the dead is un-African

Ex-Zambia President Edgar Lungu. [ Courtesy]

Indefatigable Kiharu lawmaker Ndindi Nyoro once told us that we’re Africans and Africa is our business.

In that spirit, my heart goes out to Zambians following the passing of Dr Edgar Lungu, man who was president for seven years after the death of ‘King Cobra’ Michael Sata in 2014. From street banters in Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola, Livingstone, Chipata and Solwezi to heated debates online, Lungu’s supporters and his Patriotic Front Party have a serious beef with President Hakainde Hichilema.

In 2021 when Mr Hichilema won the polls after five failed attempts, Lungu became one of a handful African leaders to readily relinquish power. But soon after, observers say, he was put under house arrest and restricted from travel. Even when he sought treatment abroad, his allies say, approval to travel was denied.

We also hear Lungu was barred from attending church or jogging in the neighbourhoods of Lusaka. In his daughter Tasila’s words, it became ‘fashionable’ to demonise the Lungu family. Even so, the former president was preparing to face Hichilema next year under an opposition umbrella called the Tonse Alliance. 

On June 5, when Lungu died in South Africa, fresh anger flared. Half the country felt Hichilema contributed to Lungu’s fall by preventing his access to treatment, and subjecting him to political isolation. But the government denies, saying whatever was done was lawful. For the record, Lungu had also been hard on Hichilema between 2015 and 2021. He once locked him up for 100 days on flimsy charges. But the president, a schemer with a calm demeanour popularly called HH, has quickly struck a conciliatory tone by calling for unity in the mourning period. He has also heaped praises, out of the blues, on the late leader. Mr Hichilema once asked: “Who between me and Lungu harassed the other?”

Meanwhile, Lungu’s kin have rejected State’s offer to repatriate the body from South Africa, instead choosing to handle it themselves. SADC leaders intervened, but even so, the body wasn’t flown back to Lusaka on Wednesday as was expected. State burial or not, the situation suggests HH and the opposition are playing politics with Lungu’s funeral. It’s akin to bullying Lungu in death.

That said, the government is walking a tightrope. As the southern Africa country grapples with economic uncertainty, HH’s popularity has waned. He’s being reminded that he might as well join the ‘one-term’ club in 2026. Whether he can unify a grieving nation remains to be seen.

Unfulfilled pledges have caused frustration. Zambia is burdened by a $13 billion debt, with little visible impact from promised change. Democratic reforms have stalled, and the civic space shrinking. Meanwhile, the public service remains politicised, many critics claim.

Was HH overzealous when he took charge? Maybe, maybe not. But history shows ascending to power is often easier than doing the job. Once in office, many leaders become fixated on silencing the opposition and punishing their predecessors at the expense of the work at hand.

Historically, Africa has seen its fair share of presidents who made life unbearable for their predecessors. In 2009, Fredrick Chiluba was arraigned after Levy Mwanawasa lifted his immunity. In Ivory Coast, we had Alassane Ouattara against Laurent Gbagbo, South Africa had Cyril Ramaphosa clashing with Jacob Zuma. In Kenya, Mwai Kibaki mercifully blocked attempts to go after Daniel Moi.

In 2013, ex-premier Raila Odinga was denied State security and barred from VIP lounges in Kenyan airports. They called him ‘mzee wa vitendawili’ and lord of poverty. Then after the 2022 polls, former President Uhuru Kenyatta accused the State of denying him budget.

There are huge lessons here – leadership is all about governance, not grudges. Elections aren’t personal, and are never meant to cause enmity. It isn’t about hubris and lofty promises but selflessness. Those in power must avoid the paranoia that pushes them into bullying rivals.

Similarly, new leaders must handle their predecessors with civility even if they are being prosecuted for whatever crimes. Amid the embarrassing burial uncertainty, HH must fix his eyes on the unity path.