By Daimone Siulapwa

Edgar Lungu is back on the political scene, and the UPND government would be making a catastrophic mistake if they dismissed his return as inconsequential.

This isn’t just about Lungu as an individual—it’s about the massive, calculated machinery of influence, power, and wealth that he commands.

He is not only a former president with years of political experience but also a cunning strategist surrounded by a network of powerful allies both within and beyond Zambia’s borders.

If the UPND overlooks this threat, they risk jeopardizing the very democracy they seek to protect.

Lungu’s comeback is more than just a political maneuver; it’s a rallying call to a fractured but determined base that feels disillusioned by the UPND’s leadership.

*The economic challenges Zambia currently faces are the fuel he needs to paint the UPND as a government that has “failed” to deliver on its promises.*

The irony is sharp—these economic troubles largely stem from the ruinous debt and reckless spending policies of Lungu’s own administration, yet he seeks to leverage this very crisis to catapult himself back into relevance.

The UPND should recognize this tactic for what it is: a calculated strategy to rewrite history, deflect blame, and offer a hollow promise of “solutions” that he once failed to provide.

Let us not forget the war chest Lungu brings to this battle. Financially, he is heavily backed by a coalition of business tycoons, foreign interests, and political influencers who stand to gain massively from his return to power.

These backers are prepared to pour millions into a sophisticated campaign that would wage an unprecedented propaganda war on the UPND.

*This funding will drive a media assault, where misinformation, sensationalism, and manufactured outrage could dominate the discourse and manipulate public opinion.*

Lungu’s allies are determined, well-financed, and fully prepared to paint him as a “savior,” erasing the memory of his previous administration’s failures.

UPND must acknowledge that the financial and political backing Lungu has could create an environment ripe for unrest and social division.

This isn’t just an opposition bid; it’s an orchestrated campaign to destabilize the current government. UPND needs to confront this reality and counter it with a strategy of transparency and constant engagement with the Zambian people. They cannot afford to remain reactive while Lungu builds momentum.

*Equally concerning is the fact that even if Lungu is disqualified from running, his influence remains formidable. Any candidate he endorses will become the de facto challenger to President Hichilema in the upcoming elections.*

Lungu’s support would effectively anoint this candidate with the same financial and political resources he commands, turning them into a proxy for his own agenda.

The UPND would be wise to see this potential threat, preparing not only to confront Lungu directly but also to anticipate the rise of a potential surrogate who could galvanize opposition support under his shadow.

*Blocking Lungu through legal channels might seem an attractive option, but the UPND must tread carefully to avoid turning him into a martyr. By restricting his political activities, they risk fueling a narrative of oppression that Lungu would leverage to his advantage.*

He’s proven adept at playing the sympathy card, often casting himself as a “victim” when it suits his purposes. This time around, giving Lungu the gift of public sympathy would be a strategic blunder of the highest order.

The UPND must instead counter him openly and decisively, without resorting to tactics that could backfire.

The UPND government’s approach to this challenge needs to be measured and well-calculated. They should not give Lungu any ammunition that could be twisted into a narrative of victimization.

Instead, they must continuously remind the public of the staggering corruption and impunity that defined his administration. Every Zambian must be made aware of the dangers of allowing such a regime to return, of the systematic erosion of accountability and justice that took place under Lungu’s watch.

The UPND has a responsibility to shine a spotlight on the scandals, the mismanagement, and the exploitation of state resources that characterized his tenure.

UPND cannot afford to let complacency cloud their judgment. Lungu is no ordinary opponent; he is a former head of state with a formidable network and an unwavering determination to return.

His influence, his resources, and his willingness to exploit Zambia’s economic struggles make him a political force that could destabilize everything the UPND stands for.The stakes are simply too high to ignore him.

The task before the UPND is not just about defending a government; it’s about safeguarding Zambia’s democracy and ensuring that the country does not fall back into the hands of a regime that prioritized the wealth of a few over the welfare of the many.

Lungu’s ambition is not rooted in serving the people of Zambia—it’s driven by a desire for revenge, power, and the reinstallation of a corrupt system. If the UPND fails to recognize this, if they fail to prepare, Zambia risks a return to the darkest days of its recent history.

Why UPND Cannot Afford to Underestimate Edgar Lungu’s Political Resurgence*

*By Daimone Siulapwa*

Edgar Lungu is back on the political scene, and the UPND government would be making a catastrophic mistake if they dismissed his return as inconsequential.

This isn’t just about Lungu as an individual—it’s about the massive, calculated machinery of influence, power, and wealth that he commands.

He is not only a former president with years of political experience but also a cunning strategist surrounded by a network of powerful allies both within and beyond Zambia’s borders.

If the UPND overlooks this threat, they risk jeopardizing the very democracy they seek to protect.

Lungu’s comeback is more than just a political maneuver; it’s a rallying call to a fractured but determined base that feels disillusioned by the UPND’s leadership.

*The economic challenges Zambia currently faces are the fuel he needs to paint the UPND as a government that has “failed” to deliver on its promises.*

The irony is sharp—these economic troubles largely stem from the ruinous debt and reckless spending policies of Lungu’s own administration, yet he seeks to leverage this very crisis to catapult himself back into relevance.

The UPND should recognize this tactic for what it is: a calculated strategy to rewrite history, deflect blame, and offer a hollow promise of “solutions” that he once failed to provide.

Let us not forget the war chest Lungu brings to this battle. Financially, he is heavily backed by a coalition of business tycoons, foreign interests, and political influencers who stand to gain massively from his return to power.

These backers are prepared to pour millions into a sophisticated campaign that would wage an unprecedented propaganda war on the UPND.

*This funding will drive a media assault, where misinformation, sensationalism, and manufactured outrage could dominate the discourse and manipulate public opinion.*

Lungu’s allies are determined, well-financed, and fully prepared to paint him as a “savior,” erasing the memory of his previous administration’s failures.

UPND must acknowledge that the financial and political backing Lungu has could create an environment ripe for unrest and social division.

This isn’t just an opposition bid; it’s an orchestrated campaign to destabilize the current government. UPND needs to confront this reality and counter it with a strategy of transparency and constant engagement with the Zambian people. They cannot afford to remain reactive while Lungu builds momentum.

*Equally concerning is the fact that even if Lungu is disqualified from running, his influence remains formidable. Any candidate he endorses will become the de facto challenger to President Hichilema in the upcoming elections.*

Lungu’s support would effectively anoint this candidate with the same financial and political resources he commands, turning them into a proxy for his own agenda.

The UPND would be wise to see this potential threat, preparing not only to confront Lungu directly but also to anticipate the rise of a potential surrogate who could galvanize opposition support under his shadow.

*Blocking Lungu through legal channels might seem an attractive option, but the UPND must tread carefully to avoid turning him into a martyr. By restricting his political activities, they risk fueling a narrative of oppression that Lungu would leverage to his advantage.*

He’s proven adept at playing the sympathy card, often casting himself as a “victim” when it suits his purposes. This time around, giving Lungu the gift of public sympathy would be a strategic blunder of the highest order.

The UPND must instead counter him openly and decisively, without resorting to tactics that could backfire.

The UPND government’s approach to this challenge needs to be measured and well-calculated. They should not give Lungu any ammunition that could be twisted into a narrative of victimization.

Instead, they must continuously remind the public of the staggering corruption and impunity that defined his administration. Every Zambian must be made aware of the dangers of allowing such a regime to return, of the systematic erosion of accountability and justice that took place under Lungu’s watch.

The UPND has a responsibility to shine a spotlight on the scandals, the mismanagement, and the exploitation of state resources that characterized his tenure.

UPND cannot afford to let complacency cloud their judgment. Lungu is no ordinary opponent; he is a former head of state with a formidable network and an unwavering determination to return.

His influence, his resources, and his willingness to exploit Zambia’s economic struggles make him a political force that could destabilize everything the UPND stands for.The stakes are simply too high to ignore him.

The task before the UPND is not just about defending a government; it’s about safeguarding Zambia’s democracy and ensuring that the country does not fall back into the hands of a regime that prioritized the wealth of a few over the welfare of the many.

Lungu’s ambition is not rooted in serving the people of Zambia—it’s driven by a desire for revenge, power, and the reinstallation of a corrupt system. If the UPND fails to recognize this, if they fail to prepare, Zambia risks a return to the darkest days of its recent history.

Daimone Siulapwa is a seasoned political strategist and analyst with over 20 years of experience in political planning and execution.
*_Want to be an MP or Counselor in 2026? Please talk to us._*

By Chimwemwe Mwanza
The SADC region has barely digested the demise of the Botswana Democratic Party whose vice grip domination of post-independence politics south of the Kazungula bridge is well documented. Strange things do happen in politics. Amidst this pain, the mop haired ‘Teflon Don’ from Mara Largo chose the worst moment to add more grief.

Donald Trump’s victory over Harris was emphatic-he pulverised the outgoing US Vice President. For all the pundit’s prediction of a close race, this was a one-sided contest. It boggles the mind that the poor, including Latinos-whom he has threatened to deport en masse once he assumes office, gave him an overwhelming mandate. That’s Trump for you. He is a political hypnotist who has mastered the art of exploiting the electorate’s grievances. Sadly, the consolation that Harris ran a remarkable race given Trump’s imposing command of US politics is inconsequential. History is unkind to losers.

Never mind that he will become the oldest person inaugurated President in US politics, Trump goes into the history books as the only second US President to return to the White House after Grover Cleveland (1885 -1889 and 1893 – 1897). With a senate and house majority in his grip, he now has the wind in his sails to transform America into his own image. Should we be fearful? The US has one of the most stable constitutions in the world and this is its strongest guardrail to political overreach.

However, a recent ruling by the right leaning Supreme court insulating a President from culpability to any decisions made while in office, means that Trump who is renowned for his autocratic inclinations will arrive in Washington DC emboldened to desecrate all democratic norms.Let’s pause for reflection. Why should US politics matter to a Zambian that is struggling to eke out a living amidst a myriad of socio-economic challenges including load and water shedding blues? Say
what you may, the outcome of the recent US elections is a big deal for every global citizen.

The anticipated shift in the global economic and geo-political landscape which is already in the making will have huge ramifications on Africa and by extention Zambia. Buoyed by a monstrous US$25 trillion economy which constitutes 25% of the global total in terms of nominal GDP, Trump has promised to lob economic grenades on China-his most potent adversary outside the US. Who can forget his characterisation of Covid-19 as a China virus? Five years later, he still faults China for mishandling this pandemic, a factor he blames for his electoral defeat to Joe Biden in 2020.

Don’t forget, there is no 21 st century politician who knows better how to exact revenge on his perceived enemies than Trump. ‘After love, the other word I like the most begins with a T. I will impose tariffs on Chinese goods by 200 and in some cases by more than 300%,’ he railed to an enthusiastic campaign crowd in Detroit, Michigan. If there is anything we gleaned from his previous tenure in the White House, this man barely issues empty threats which explains why XI Jimping is twiddling his thumbs at the prospect of Trump’s inauguration on 20 January 2025.

Implications of looming US/China trade war on Africa

What will be the most likely implications of a US/China trade war on the global economy? According to recent research by S&P global, the probability of an all-out trade war would do serious damage to the global economy as protectionist actions escalate. Countries imposing tariffs and countries subject to tariffs would experience loses in economic warfare while countries on the sidelines would experience collateral damage.

A potential slowdown of growth to China’s economy resulting from the looming trade war would gravely impact Africa. In recent years, the continent has benefited immensely from China’s largesse.

According to the International Monetary Fund, China has over the last 20 years become Sub-sahara Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner. Around 20% of the region’s exports now go to China and about 16% of Africa’s imports come from China. This relationship amounted to a record US$282 billion in total trade volume in 2023.

In addition, China’s voracious demand for mineral resources and other commodities is what’s kept most economies in Sub-Saharan Africa humming. In Zambia’s case mining is the main driver of the country’s economy contributing about 12% to GDP. According to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade, Zambia’s exports of copper to China which contributed about 70% of the country’s revenue, amounted to US$1.77 billion during 2023. The Zambian government’s
determination to increase output from the current 480,000 tons/annum to 3 million tons/annum by year 2030 is premised on the anticipated rise in copper demand by China and the US markets.

Other countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have emerged as major exporters of coffee into China. In addition to trade, these countries including Zambia have benefited immensely from various Chinese funded infrastructure projects which in turn have contributed to growth. Against this background, the significance of symbiotic trade relations between Africa and China which are enhanced by a strong Chinese bottom pull can’t be overstated. As such, Zambia like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa can ill afford to trade with a weakened China.

Most important, what does the future hold for the Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) which was passed by US congress as part of the trade and development Act of 2000? It’s anybody’s guess. For a leader that has a penchant for transactional politics, Trump has made public his disdain for the continent and its leaders. Be that as it may, one can’t even begin to quantify the importance of AGOA which provides duty free access to the US market for almost all products exported from more than 40 eligible sub-Saharan African countries.

Should the rest of African states including Zambia surrender to their fate and wait for Trump’s next stormy 4 years to pass? Well, just like the Covid pandemic, Trump’s anticipated stormy reign will pass in no time. However, there is a subtle message in Trump’s victory and developments in Botswana which leaders across the continent must try to decode.
Voter choices are always influenced by socio-economic factors. On the campaign trail, Trump strategically coined a simple question to rile the electorate into action. ‘Are you better off now than you were 4 years ago?’ Harris could barely muster a response. This question ultimately knocked her of her perch. As they say, the rest is history.

*Mwanza is an avid soccer fan and enjoys reading political history. He no longer eats game meat.