from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia Bureau
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – WITH elections in Zambia a year away, the United Party for National Development (UPND) is confident of surviving a trend of ruling parties in Southern Africa being voted out of office.
The sentiment follows the just-concluded elections in neighbouring Malawi where, after one term, incumbent Lazarus Chakwera and his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) lost.
Last year, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), in power since independence in 1966, was also voted out.
UPND dismissed sentiments suggesting that Zambia could experience a change of government in 2026.
Mark Simuuwe, UPND spokesman, said such comparisons with Botswana and Malawi demonstrated “a lack of understanding of the geopolitical and economic realities” in Zambia.
He said unlike Malawi, Zambia had rolled out transformative programmes such as the Constituency Development Fund, vocational skills training for over 200 000 youths and pioneered the “cash-for-work” initiative.
“These interventions are not taking place in Malawi or Botswana,” Simuuwe said.
He said Zambia’s economy was among the fastest-growing in the world, projected at nearly 6 percent according to Bloomberg.
This while Malawi and Botswana are facing economic challenges.
“Botswana’s economy has struggled due to falling diamond prices, and Malawi continues to depend on Zambia for maize imports after years of poor harvests,” Simuuwe said.
He believes these are tangible achievements that set Zambia apart from its neighbours.
“To suggest that Zambia’s political situation mirrors that of Malawi or Botswana is not only misleading but also ignores the stability and progress our people are experiencing under President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership.”
Simuuwe argued Zambia’s neighbours may learn from the country but Zambia cannot be compared to them.
“The 2026 elections will be a referendum on the visible progress we have made in creating jobs, stabilizing the economy and empowering citizens.”
Critics accuse Hichilema’s administration of becoming dictatorial since assuming office in 2021.
The main opposition Patriotic Front (PF) however is seen as disjoined to mount a serious challenge.
Its prospects lie in a planned coalition of opposition parties aiming to dethrone UPND.
– CAJ News