Can Hichilema heal Zambia's political divide?
The Zambian president starts a second term after a contested election exposed deep political divisions. His challenge now is to unite the country while addressing concerns over political freedoms.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema took office for a second five-year term on Tuesday. Zambia's political landscape has often been marred by disputed elections, violence, and leaders refusing to relinquish power. Hichilema's victory in 2021 seemed to reinforce the country's reputation for peaceful transitions. However, his second term faces challenges.
A disputed election, his main challenger facing treason charges, and opposition supporters questioning the legitimacy of the vote have raised doubts about the credibility of the process. Hichilema has vowed to foster reconciliation, but the test now lies in whether his words translate into a political environment that accommodates his opponents.
Analysts argue that recognizing the significant portion of the electorate that supported the opposition is crucial. A self-employed Zambian, speaking anonymously, urged Hichilema to govern beyond his supporters and address the nation's political and ethnic divisions. Another artist emphasized the need for Hichilema to include those who did not vote for him and to give young people a louder voice.
Despite the hurdles, Hichilema's administration has seen economic improvements, including lower inflation and restructuring of the external debt. However, the challenge remains in ensuring that these gains trickle down to the ordinary citizens.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
