By Dr Canisius BANDA Development Activist
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ZAMBIA is now on the edge of a precipice of instability. You see, Zambia’s foreign policy has come off its wheels. It is now on the wrong path. Gradually, and firmly, we seem to be drifting away from our much venerated, almost immutable non-aligned stance. As seen by keen global geopolitical watchers, by allowing an office of AFRICOM to be set up on Zambia’s soil, Zambia is now taking SIDES.
Laying the foundation of the foreign policy of the Africans, Kwame NKRUMAH said: ‘We must neither look East nor West. We must look FORWARD.’ Of course, Hakainde wasn’t there. He missed this lesson. It used to be Zambia FORWARD. But now it seems to be Zambia WEST. It was okay, but what happened?
The foreign policy of the United States of AMERICA is very clear. It put America first and states that America should be the most powerful nation in the world, and no stone should be left unturned in pursuit of this goal and to spread, enhance/further and safeguard its interests. And to secure its INTERESTS, America uses various methods which include, but are not limited to, cultural, political, social and military. AFRICOM is the military wing of the United States of AMERICA aimed at securing these interests of hers through military means on the African continent. Primarily, AFRICOM is not for the benefit of Zambia.
Ambrose LUFUMA, Zambia’s defence minister’s knowledge of this seems parochially dangerous. His recent press statement dated 2 May 2022, arguing in defence of setting up the office of AFRICOM on Zambia’s soil was thoroughly disappointing, un-nationalistic, subservient and bordered on a betrayal of Zambia’s own interests.
The purpose of AFRICOM is as follows: ‘The U.S. Africa Command, with partners, counters transnational threats and malign actors, strengthens security forces, and responds to crises in order to advance U.S. NATIONAL INTERESTS and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.’
Note that, loosely put, this is akin to Zambia joining NATO. It is similar to opening an office for disorder, for geopolitical chaos. What boggles the mind is why Zambia, after years of peace and quiet, a statutory Christian nation, is now courting disquiet and disaster. AFRICOM, either as an office, barracks or a base MUST not be on Zambia’s soil. PERIOD. Placing AFRICOM’s office on Zambia’s land firmly places Zambia in the crosshairs of all of America’s enemies, and they are not only many but they are powerful as well.
‘We should also be aware that much of the world regards Washington as a terrorist regime,’ cautions Noam CHOMSKY, a renowned public intellectual in his book entitled INTERVENTIONS.
‘Where are you from?’ That was Patrice LUMUMBA, a smile on his face.
‘Zambia,’I said.
Quickly, the smile vanished from his face, in its place was a contortion of disgust, fury and pain.
Refusing to shake my hand, he turned away from me, the way one would from the PLAGUE.
‘How many Zambians have read that book you carry?’ That was Nelson MANDELA, an epitome of freedom but a man that America had, for years, considered a terrorist.
I carried the book, ‘AFRIKA TWASEBANA’ by Simon Mwansa KAPWEPWE. I hang on to it the way human beings hang on to oxygen.
‘I don’t know,’ I honestly answered.
He appeared disappointed, hurt. The others just silently looked at me, their eyes probing, accusing and expectant.
There was Steve BIKO.
There was Thomas SANKARA.
There was Kwame NKHRUMAH.
There was Muammar GADDAFI.
There was Samora MACHEL.
There was Pombe MAGUFULI.
There was Gamal Abdel NASSER.
And many others. I thought I also saw Julia CHIKAMONEKA there.
They all just stared at me, a strong air of sadness pervaded the atmosphere, the occasion clearly sombre and serious, as if their collective dream for the Africans was in peril. To them I seemed to represent TREACHERY, SHAME and FAILURE.
A voice was saying: ‘This is the graveyard of African Heroes, child. It is a treasure trove of freedom, nationalism, sovereignty, identity and Africa’s unity. It is all you need, son. Do NOT look elsewhere for your salvation. Look within you. Use it for your future. It is your armour!’ You see, in everything, the steps we take as individuals, leaders or nations have specific outcomes.
Presently, by opening an office of AFRICOM on its soil, Zambia is not placing itself on the path of peace. It is departing from its required national attitude. Zambia is now in danger of becoming a theatre of war, wars of all types, not war from the liberation of Zambians from the perncious backwardness and poverty, but catastrophic wars between the world’s opposing elephants. Should we maintain this path or national attitude, Zambia’s future is BLEAK indeed.
This dalliance of Hakainde’s with America is going to end badly, it will end in disaster. It will end in regional disunity, domestic pain and tears.
‘You see Canisius, when THESE PEOPLE praise you, get worried. It means that you are not with your people.’ I turned towards the voice. It was Frederick TJ CHILUBA. Respectfully, silently, I nodded.
By opening an office for AFRICOM on Zambia’s soil, Zambia will now firmly be in the crosshairs of America’s enemies. Ipso facto, our NON-ALIGNED status ceases.
This then is how Hakainde HICHILEMA, our own Republican President, has become a national security risk. If the history of America’s military engagement with other nations should inform us about our own future, then a cause/case for grave concern is laid. We must worry.
Zambians must say NO to the presence of AFRICOM on our soil in whatever form. Hakainde HICHILEMA, I have a question for you. As an act of required symbolism by every African, when you went to the Democratic Republic of CONGO, did you lay a wreath of acknowledgement and respect on the grave of Patrice LUMUMBA?
Oh, you didn’t. This is why I have tears in my eyes. And they refuse to be wiped away.
Indeed, aluta continua!
Doc, that which you are smoking or drinking so early in the morning, I would like to…….so it can take me far away to Utopia Land ?
Doc, that which you are smoking or drinking so early in the morning, I would like to…….so it can take me far away to Utopia Land ?
phrase. If you can’t beat them, join them means that, if someone is too strong for you to defeat, it is better to be on the same side as them.
AFRICOM and UPND Lusaka stock exchange are vibrant again. When Non Alliance PF was in power the Lusaka stock exchange was stagnant.
“………..Primarily, AFRICOM is not for the benefit of Zambia……..”
And you think China is in zambia for the benefit of zambia……????
Where does our country get these retrogressive backwards people from ????
There is a concept if leveraging assured mutual benefits, leading to lopsided benefits in your favour………
That is what the new GRZ is adopting……….
Not that cold war freedom fighter mentality of 1970…..,.
We have more Zambian born Americans now than 1964.
80/20 rule.
What more can one add? I feel sorry for Canisius because he’s addressing a person that isn’t as widely read as himself. I don’t think Hichilema will appreciate the depth of your writing because that isn’t his constituency. That applies to his praise singers as well. Weep not, child
How can this writing be depth mwe banthu sure. What is wrong with this country. Canisius has the least understanding and knowledge of Africom. Let us who have been associated with AFricom talk about this subject or else you will end up misleading one another here as you always do everyday in Zambia. Africom poses no harm or threat to Zambia as you will prove latter. So stop misleading one another on things that don’t even exist
It’s time to get out of that freedom fighter cold War mentality………….
Zambia can leverage a lot of economic and military benefits from AFCOM based in zambia………….
Zambia was on a path of total economic domination by China…………
Some of you don’t mind being economic slaves of the chinese……..but see issues with white people having military offices in zambia……….
Where is the sense in that ???
Very wise man. He was the wisest man in upnd. He would have made a far better president than hh but his only problem was that he was not tonga
Zambia is not a zombie, Zambia must assess situations and take sides where need be. Is Zambia a dead country, obviously no, it can not continue sitting on the fence,, Zambia must be decisive, and bold and take sides and be ‘influential’ in world politics. There is now a new world order, the mentality of 1964 of not taking sides should remain in 1964, Lets wake up as Zambia and take up our rightful position, and the lies that Zambia will be attacked for taking sides will remain laughable as long as the world continues to exist
There will be no war arising from the establishment of the Africom office, stop your negative dreams. I also heard another lie from another opposition leader saying Africom office is a combatant office, that is not even anywhere near to the truth
Use cooperation to open markets, reduce export taxes, build capacities and maintain peace. To prevent genocide and terrorism, use the new cooperation platform. If you continue to admire the country, then you miss the whole point. The country is for beneficial cooperation to achieve economic prosperity and sustainable peace.. Follow the example of Turkey, UK, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Greece. Support defense of other countries is mutually beneficial. No isolation.
There is no grave of Patrice Lumumba, Dr Banda. Lumumba was dissolved in acid. There was no body to bury.
Canisius BANDA is now a Development Activist..is this why he joined PF? Really laughable ..anyway the message is on point but the messenger has no integrity or is credible enough to deliver it.
THE SAINT – The executed his badly tortured body buried him in an unmarked secret grave then came back again dug up his body chopped it into pieces and disolved them in acid…all with the blessing of the USA and Belgium. ..the very people HH7 looks up to who can never be trusted.
What did Zambia gain by wasting billions to get Zimbabwe Mozambique, South Africa and Namibia liberated? Improverished economy and mocking and ridicule of Zimbabwrans of 80s for bread, oil and basic necessities we lost for diverting money to house thankless Zimbabweans?
SOME ZAMBIAN DOCTORS ARE …………JUST FORGIVE THEM THEY DONT Understand ISSUES .
We can have whatever this is but my concern is what the reaction of extremists would be if this will mean allowing bases on our soil. That’s my only worry.
Extremists will still get u for not being one of them. Don’t u read about it in Pakistan?
#18 Like saying that even if close your door snakes will still enter your house. So bother closing the door?
Deja Vu – Snakes will only enter your house if you have something if you have food for them that is mice and rat infestation…snakes will not to your small yard in Kitwe r Ndola to just come and bite you.
No body or country can harm Zambia on account of having an Africom office, infact Africom brings employment, the africom staff will require Zambians to work for them in some areas. So stop fearing fear for nothing. I would advise the doctor to talk about us having an effective malaria immunization program, we have our people especially children needlessly dying of the disease day in and day out. Leave Africom to experts
Mandevu, stop alarming the nation, there is nothing wrong with Africom, why are you guys always negative and adding spices on natural things
@Spaka, are you a Western agent , or you’re just an ignoramus who has no idea how America operates? Read John Perkins’s book, “Confessions of an economic Hitman” if you want to understand America’s modus operandi. If you think anything has changed since the colonial times, then sorry you’re a complete ignoramus. The West was extracting Africa’s resources during colonial times, and they’re still extracting them today. Nothing has changed, except the method. Today they put puppets in offices that’ll allow multinational corporations to come in and be used as channels for resource extraction from a given country. Lungu wanted to sell Zambia to the Chinese. That’s why he was voted out. HH wants to sell Zambia to the Americans. He will be voted out too, come 2026. Zambia is not…
#23 THE PATRIOT May 8, 2022 At 2:43 pm
“.@Spaka, are you a Western agent , or you’re just an ignoramus who has no idea how America operates? Read John Perkins’s book, “Confessions of an economic Hitman” if you want to understand America’s modus operandi. If you think anything has……”
Imwe naimwe ………..
Stop seeing shadows everywhere even at night……..
You must be very du.ll to have your minerals taken from you in the 21st century while you sleep…………
I live in the west and I also know a black man can be elected as president……….
So you know who I support……….
Go to be president in China or Russia and see what they will do to your black monkey ass………..
No foreign bases, or AFRICOM in Zambia. If HH allows this, he’ll be voted out come 2026. Zambia is not for sale.
You do not take a stance for its own sake without weighing the cost. You will wish you had listened but it will be too late.
#20 I’m writing a book called Tarino Orange Philosophy
This Banda thing is just a bitter myopic fool who got bribed by Lungu’s infamous brown envelopes & bought into the PF tribal bandwagon that HH, a Tonga can NEVER be President.
His wife must have slapped his lips for that poor decision… he would have been the country Vice President today. What a sorry bitter soul..
Pilgrim no job. All the time in the world to write long, boring useless articles. At least keeping you busy instead of languishing in bars.
Ayatollah, HH is more read and learned than the Canisius guy who has a bachelors from UNZA. That university that on ly produce talkers and not doers. Canisius has failed himself and foolishness pushed him from honey to the bees. He is the definition of LOSER!!!
What could have transpired out of the Anglo/Boer conflicts in South Africa of 1600s?
HH7 needs to read some of Pan-African history …maybe he should invite Professor Lumumba from Kenya for breakfast at State House so he educates him and wakes him up as he is too much of a businessman. Just look at what happened to the Great Kwame Nkrumah….they waited until he left the country for his visits and then they desposed him. The Ghana Police Service and Ghana Armed Forces carried out the coup jointly, with collaboration from the Ghana Civil Service. The plotters were well connected with the governments of Britain (under PM Harold Wilson) and the United States (then under Lyndon B. Johnson), who some believe approved of the coup because of Nkrumah’s pro-communist foreign policy.
When our former head of state late
MCS said that some politicians where under fives, some people laughed this off. This was and still is a serious statement. What is happening now in the New dark regime is precisely what Sata meant. These under fives are so overzealous at doing nothing and saying a lot. We are on a dangerous course sold by people who got money too early too easily and have no regard for the peace and tranquility of our great nation.
Well articulated the patriotic and chendabushiku. There is too much excitment by the new dawn without reading the minds of Zambians . Let 2026 one will cry the loudest
This is a Master Piece from Dr.Banda. They say “iron sharpens iron”. Only those who deeply understand geopolitical/Geostrategic issues can see the deep sense in this writing!! Those who are opposed to it should just write a detailed rebuttal backed with history as Dr. Canicius Banda has done rather than offering empty criticism to this rich article!!