MATHEWS MALAZIKA, CHOMBA MUSIKA, FANNY KALONDA
Lusaka
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has demonstrated magnanimity towards his political opponents by repeatedly emphasising national unity and peaceful coexistence, Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Arthur Muyunda has said.
Mr Muyunda said the President’s approach should provide an opportunity for political leaders to promote dialogue and national reconciliation following the August 13 general election.
He said SACCORD supports calls for National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) president Brian Mundubile to recognise President Hichilema as Head of State, saying such recognition could help create an environment conducive to dialogue.
The call was initially made by Tonse Alliance founder and secretary general Zumani Zimba, who urged Mr Mundubile, who contested the election on the NRPUP ticket, and his running mate Makebi Zulu to recognise President Hichilema.
Mr Muyunda said the proposal has merit because Zambians have made their decision and President Hichilema has subsequently been sworn into office.
He said opposition parties have a responsibility to recognise the Presidency and constitutional institutions while continuing to provide checks and balances.
Mr Muyunda, however, stressed that recognising the Head of State does not mean surrendering political positions or legitimate grievances arising from the electoral process.
He cautioned political actors against treating democratic principles as instruments of political convenience.
Mr Muyunda questioned whether the opposition would have made similar arguments about recognition and dialogue had it won the election.
He said democratic principles risk losing credibility when they are defended selectively depending on who benefits from them.
Mr Muyunda said dialogue should not be used as a bargaining chip but should be based on a genuine commitment to the national interest.
He urged political leaders to pursue legitimate grievances through lawful and constitutional channels while maintaining peaceful engagement.
“Zambia needs politicians who can disagree without becoming enemies,” Mr Muyunda said, adding that the true test of political maturity is the consistent defence of democratic principles even after losing an election.
Meanwhile, University of Zambia historian Bizeck Phiri has warned that the suspension of Dr Zimba could create confusion and weaken the opposition coalition if the matter is not handled carefully.
The drought caused widespread crop failures, particularly maize, affecting 84 of the country’s 116 districts and leaving millions facing acute food insecurity.
Critically low water levels at hydro-power sources such as Kariba Dam also triggered prolonged load-shedding, disrupting businesses and industry.
Dr Chibamba said the challenges demonstrated why Government established the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment to implement robust policy frameworks, including climate change legislation, aimed at driving sustainable economic transformation.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary for technical services John Mulongoti called for weather forecasts to be translated into proactive investments and practical interventions across the agricultural value chain.
Mr Mulongoti warned that climate variability could derail Zambia’s economic and social gains if left unchecked.
In a speech read for him by Zambia Agriculture Research Institute director Patrick Chikoti, he said Zambia needs to move beyond understanding climate risks and translate climate information into timely decisions, investments and practical interventions.
Mr Mulongoti said although the country achieved a bumper harvest of more than five million tonnes of maize during the 2025/2026 farming season under the Grow Zambia Agenda, persistent dry spells and erratic rainfall require a shift from rain-fed agriculture to sustainable farming models.
He said Government is targeting 500,000 hectares under irrigation by 2031, while offering tax incentives to private-sector investors and farmers and prioritising solar-powered and off-grid irrigation systems.
Mr Mulongoti said stronger collaboration between the water, energy and financial sectors is essential to achieving long-term climate resilience.
And ACF board chairperson Renford Gombwa urged Government to increase allocations towards climate-smart infrastructure in the 2027 national budget.
Dr Gombwa said priority should be given to renewable energy, modern crop storage and accessible green financing to safeguard smallholder farmers against devastating climate shocks.
He said the 2027 budget formulation presents an opportunity to institutionalise resilience across Zambia’s agriculture sector.
