Hichilema Honour of Patricia Scotland is indeed a Question of Loyalty?
President Hakainde Hichilema’s decision to confer the Order of the Eagle of Zambia – 2nd Division upon Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland is a recognition of her role in Zambia’s political reconciliation. However, this honor remains incomplete without acknowledging the critical role played by former President Edgar Lungu and his administration in that very process. writes Mr Amos Sianjika
The 2017 Treason Case: Was Hichilema in Order?
In April 2017, Hichilema, then leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), was arrested and charged with treason after his convoy allegedly failed to give way to President Lungu’s motorcade. This act was interpreted by authorities as a direct challenge to state security, leading to his detention. In any country, the security of a sitting president is paramount, and any perceived threat to the head of state can warrant serious legal consequences.
Hichilema’s continuous refusal to recognize Lungu as the legitimate president following the 2016 elections further escalated tensions. While treason is a grave charge, one must give credit to Lungu for listening to Commonwealth mediation and yielding to Scotland’s intervention without conditions, despite Hichilema’s outright disrespect toward him. It was Lungu’s government that ultimately facilitated peace, ensuring that Zambia did not descend into deeper political turmoil.
Lungu’s Decision to Release HH: A Display of Statesmanship
While Scotland played a diplomatic role, it was Lungu who ultimately had the final say in determining whether Hichilema would walk free. The former president could have ignored Scotland’s call, citing national security concerns, but he chose the path of peace, recognizing that the situation could destabilize the country further. This act, though often overlooked, deserves acknowledgment.
If the situation were reversed today, and Lungu found himself in a similar position under Hichilema’s government, would the same leniency be extended? Looking at the current state of affairs where opposition leaders and ordinary citizens face arrest for trivial criticisms of the government it is doubtful that Hichilema would have shown the same level of restraint that Lungu exercised in 2017.
A Warning to Hichilema: Beware of Western Influence
While honoring Patricia Scotland may seem like a diplomatic gesture, Hichilema must be careful not to dance too closely with the West. History has shown that leaders who rely too much on Western backing often find themselves isolated and vulnerable when things no longer serve Western interests. A classic example is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who once enjoyed strong Western support but is now increasingly abandoned as geopolitical dynamics shift.
Zambia must always prioritize its national interests over external influences. Diplomacy is important, but not at the cost of sovereignty. Hichilema must learn from history and ensure that his government’s foreign policy decisions do not come at the expense of Zambia’s long-term stability and independence.
Conclusion
While Scotland played a role in Zambia’s political peace process, it was Lungu’s decision to release Hichilema that sealed the deal. As much as the UPND government celebrates this moment, history must give credit where it is due—Lungu listened to international calls for peace and acted accordingly. In contrast, today’s Zambia is seeing increasing political intolerance, with critics being arrested for far less than what Hichilema did in 2017.
The lesson is clear: power is temporary, and today’s leaders must govern with the understanding that tables can turn. Honoring Patricia Scotland is one thing, but ignoring the role of Edgar Lungu in preserving Zambia’s peace is a selective rewriting of history.
I have always advised the New Dawn Government that kindness kills. I think we should put such cases to rest by verifying the ballots of the 2016 Presidential elections. Only such actions can bring closure to such problems.
Its very easy to understand Loyalty as “Muzungu wanga” as in this case. A dog is usually loyal to his master and will bark at his enemies. Muzungu wanga is the tendency to have an inferiority complex for bazungu because you think they are closer to God or something. This honour seems over the top and…..
Where are they????
Dr Liya Mutale. Christians for Lungu claim that they have been misunderstood.
What a nice article full of words of wisdom! “While Scotland played a role in Zambia’s political peace process, it was Lungu’s decision to release Hichilema that sealed the deal” The Presidency of Zambia or let me just say HH, should be bestowing that honour on the person who deserves it: namely, Edgar Chagwa Lungu LlB Unza.
No ECL doesn’t deserve it ,you cannot be a goal keeper and a referee at the same time.There’s a thing called “conflict of interests” in governance matters.
‘However, this honor remains incomplete without acknowledging the critical role played by former President Edgar Lungu and his administration in that very process. writes Mr Amos Sianjika.’
NO. We cannot acknowledge the role the arsonist played in putting down a fire he negligently and criminally started.
So if I understand correctly, Lungu committed a crime against democracy, and when Scotland urged him to stop criming, therefore Lungu should be honored for ceasing his crime.
That explains all the monuments we see everywhere honoring bank robbers who stopped robbing banks, right?
The 2017 Treason Case on HH was a fallacy in order to take ride off HH?
The Presidential Motorcade left its official rout and followed HH convey deliberately to create a case.
The situation was deliberately made by ECL and the clinical Officer ( one who got fired by President Sata) in order to place charges on HH. Now you know who And the truth is that ECL did not win the election. Had he won, he would have been conferred by the Chief Justice. And now this leads to questions on the death.
ECL and the clinical Officer under mined President Sata. How was President Sata weak for the operation in Israel?
During Mwanawasa Presidency, Mr. Sate had been taken for operation in SA and it was a success.
In fact in Israel, they refused for President Sata to be given drip as the Doctors had discovered that President Sata was too weak to withstand the operation. What caused that weakness on the plan. Do not forget that the clinical officer was on the plane.
What failed in Israel where the wife was sent to India. In her absence they decide to fly to London refusing Doctors advice.
This is why now, there is a which doctor not by chance but planned by the same people. Remember ECL eating a sneak meat, that is If it was.
ECL did not play any good role because he planned it from the beginning. Remember that Mr. Sata in opposion had requested for HH to be his vise. This implies that there was communication between now President Sata and HH.
Chiefs and headmen are only found in Africa not in the carribean or commonwealth