By Mutale Nalumango, UPND National Chairperson
The United Party for National Development (UPND) is saddened that the only achievement that the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) has made since assuming office in 2011 is to make Zambia a failed state.
It is worrisome that the country, which was once a very strong economy during the UNIP and MMD eras has now been turned into a laughing stock as it satisfies almost every bench mark set for qualifying as a failed, miserable state!
Our country has undeniably scored in every sphere to qualify as failed state by the following benchmarks:
- Failure to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
- Sharp economic decline.
- Break down in the rule of law and failure to follow the due process of the law when dispensing justice.
- The rise of factionalized elites, the deterioration of public service and delegitimization of the state, leading to a fagile state.
Zambia now has a regime that does not have respect for human rights and freedoms of association, asssmbly, speech, press, expression and movement, which in turn has undermined democracy.
The high economic inequalities where the national cake is not shared equally among ordinary Zambians; severe economic decline as well as the mounting demographic pressures and tribal, ethnic conflicts and state sponsored terrorism have all exercibated the situation.
We have also witnessed a sharp rise in corruption by Government officials; lack of accountability and transparency in the use of public resources as well as the non-provision of public services . This has led to massive misery and bitterness among the country’s citizenry.
Zambia has been ranked at number 41 of the fragile states in the world.
At the current poor ranking on the Fragile State Index, which is a high warning phase, we can only say Zambia’s economic fortunes have dwindled beyond what the people of Zambia can stomach.
I can see it on the epitaph: Country Slides into Abject dysfunction as leadership registers lamentable failure. What a legacy these kawayawayas are carving for their poor selves! Ni kuba cabe kuliko? Children fencing off tracts, cronies riding on favor and fervor of sycophancy, houses building themselves until they are 48… and the list appears to be longer than a rich man’s grocery shopping list.
“Lungu disturbed by children learning under trees” -Lusaka Times.
“PF has delivered development in all parts of Zambia” – Lusaka Times.
Clearly ECL has some serious conflict contradicting himself.
Fuseke Nalumango, just Under 5 and his minions to zip up.
Fuseke Nalumango, just go tell Under 5 and his minions to zip up and behave.
Calling out the truth. We have stupidly given them a decade to prove their worth, and instead they have driven us into the ground. Next year someone else gets to have a turn.
Not ‘PF’ – all neoliberal parties, from the MMD to today, and including the UPND. If you have supported ‘free trade’, privatization and deregulation, you are part of this mess.
“2. Sharp economic decline.”
Instead of owning the mines, instead of even taxing the mines for billions of dollars, the PF chose to take on Eurobond debt, to be paid back later and with interest. That is the theft of billions of dollars on both ends.
Not ‘PF’ – all neoliberal parties, from the MMD to today, and including the UPND. If you have supported ‘free trade’, privatization and deregulation, you are part of this mess.
“2. Sharp economic decline.”
Instead of owning the mines, instead of even taxing the mines for billions of dollars, the PF chose to take on Eurobond debt, to be paid back later and with interest. That is the theft of billions of dollars on both ends.
Not ‘PF’ – all neoliberal parties, from the MMD to today, and including the UPND. If you have supported ‘free trade’, privatization and deregulation, you are part of this mess.
“2. Sharp economic decline.”
Instead of owning the mines, instead of even taxing the mines for billions of dollars, the PF chose to take on Eurobond debt, to be paid back later and with interest. That is the theft of billions of dollars on both ends.
What is a failed state to start with? This is the problem of people using terms carelessly. Does Zambia really fall into the category of Somalia that has lost monopoly over the instruments of violence to be called a failed state? The answer is a categorical no. Nalumango needs to read a bit more beyond her secondary teacher training which made her a secondary school teacher at Munali to understand what is meant by a failed state.
She is right not only failed state but a junk state soon everything will collapse.
We have to recorrect and reposition our global standing for us to prosper again.
We have employed a thief in statehouse.
PF must go!
The Great son of the soil Mwanawasa alikontolola. PF give power to someone to kontolola next year. You are a failed project
Waiting for KZ’s comment to rip apart this good for nothing shonongo party chairMAN.
There is nothing can PF boast about. Also our Traditional leaders are to blame to some extent.
That is how traditional Chiefs ought to be. Traditional Chiefs are above the president. reasons are that a president comes in and go out. Traditional Chiefs are God given inheritance. Only chiefs with no wisdom would sink so low and be digested by a political leader because of money.
It is not the chief to bow down before the president but the president must bow down before any chief on the thrown. If you find a Chief is bowing down before a president then us the subjects must get worried because he is traditional chief for money.
I like Chiefs who protect their subjects from oppressors.
Zambia is getting recognition globally. It ranked 4th as a Peaceful Country in Africa and 44th in the world. Also in this pandemic crisis, developed countries coming forward and helping to stabilize our economy. If this is called failure then I don’t know what success means.
Zambia experienced rapid economic growth over the last decade. We are facing economic downfall now only because of Covid-19 which is acceptable as the whole world is suffering due to pandemic.
OK!!! So you want me to vote UPND whose leader is stuck in fraud, corruption, and scandals!!!
Opposition yamafi…nothing else can be said.
Instead of talking and fake allegations, UPND needs to show some proof against Lungu and his connection with terrorists.
Madam I know you and your party are desperate to be in power.Do you know what a failed state is?Can you compare Zambia to Somalia, Mali Congo DRC ?
There is ugliness and then there is this
Aini shuwa ba KZ, ubike ubukopo pa bubi….disaster. Anyway, it’s very common in upnd…. kwekwekwekwekwekwe….
We promise economic freedom if you give us another term….more money in your pockets . Infrastructure is happening all we want is to bring prosperity to our people.
We have ostriches here burying their heads in the sand, while fires that are soon to burn them, are growing under their exposed backsides
Zambia has the marks of a failed state.
1The brazen destruction of a motor vehicle by PF caderers in the heart of Kasama town captured by amateur video in the presence of Police represents a failed state.Voices are heard on the clip wondering why Police couldn’t act.
2.The fees being paid to individuals for employment as teachers, officers in the police,army, air Force are shocking.
Virtually all district officers are getting huge amounts from poor Zambians, something so shocking.
Where is the OP, to inform the authorities, busy chasing and monitoring the opposition while the country rots?
PERSONALLY I FEEL THAT WHEN LUNGU IS ALONE THESE DAYS HE LOOKS AT HIMSELF AS HAVING BEEN A VERY BIG PRESIDENTIAL FAILURE, I HONESTLY BELIEVE HE HAS COME TO HIS OWN CONCLUSION TO ACCEPT THIS FACT THOUGH HE MAY NOT OPENLY SAY IT, WHEN I LOOK AT HIM FRANKLY THESE DAYS, HE LOOKS LIKE A RESIGNED PERSON WHOSE HEART IS HEAVY BUT HE HAS NO ONE TO PORE HIS SORROW TO BUT HIMSELF, BECAUSE PEOPLE AROUND HIM WILL PRAISE HIM WHILE DEEP DOWN HE KNOWS THEY ARE JUST EARNING THEIR MEAL BY BEING NICE, THE REALITY HAS DOWNED ON HIM AND HE IS NOT DULL TO SEE CLEARLY WHAT WILL BEFALL HIM SOON AFTER THE ELECTIONS, ON THE OTHER HAND HE HAS HIMSELF TO BLAME FOR ALL THIS BECAUSE HAD HE TAKEN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND SURROUNDED HIMSELF WITH RIGHT THINKING PEOPLE, ALL THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. I HONESTLY FEEL…