Keypoints:
- Violent rally attack heightens tensions
- Economy stabilised but hardship persists
- Power crisis fuels rising discontent
ZAMBIA’S President Hakainde Hichilema has pushed back forcefully against mounting criticism after a violent incident in the Copperbelt left him crouching behind a microphone and being hurried away by security officers. The attack, in which stone-throwers disrupted a planned address, has deepened national concern ahead of next year’s elections.
A grainy video showing the president ducking as stones were hurled went viral, prompting widespread condemnation from Zambians across political divides. But the episode has also become a symbol of the growing frustration facing the administration as economic pressures bite.
With just nine months until the 2026 polls, Hichilema chose his first press conference in 18 months to address the incident and defend what he described as meaningful progress in stabilising the country.
‘A level of hatred that is shocking’
Speaking in Lusaka, the president said he had witnessed ‘a level of hatred that is shocking’, urging Zambians to ‘love each other’ even in politically heated times. His appeal comes as parts of the country continue to grapple with daily hardships, and as critics warn that public disenchantment is becoming harder to ignore.
Opposition candidate Simon Mwila, who is running for mayor of Lusaka, said the unrest reflected the administration’s disconnect from ordinary citizens. ‘People are throwing stones rather than flowers because the president has lost touch with the real pulse of the people,’ he said.
Historian Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa of Stellenbosch University argued that Hichilema had abandoned many of the democratic ideals that propelled him to office. He told the BBC that the president had become ‘nearly everything he detested’ in former leader Edgar Lungu — a charge Hichilema denies.
Copperbelt unrest sparks questions
The attack took place on 8 November during a visit to Chingola, where Hichilema had arrived with $450,000 to help rebuild a market destroyed by fire. Instead of a warm welcome, an angry crowd forced him to abandon his speech. Police later arrested 27 people, blaming the violence on looting by ‘unruly’ groups.
At his press briefing, Hichilema accused illegal artisanal miners of instigating the chaos, saying government efforts to regulate unlicensed mining had provoked resistance. ‘We will not allow any thuggery to return ever again,’ he said.
From 2021 landslide to mounting public scepticism
Hichilema entered office in 2021 on a wave of public enthusiasm, promising to fix the country after years of economic turbulence. Zambia at the time had defaulted on its debt, was battling inflation of around 25 percent, and faced regular power cuts.
Since then, debt repayments have been restructured, inflation has fallen to just below 12 percent, and the kwacha has shown signs of recovery. Economist Trevor Hambayi described the country’s fiscal stabilisation as an ‘overriding success story’, citing improved budget controls and greater investment in infrastructure, social services and public recruitment.
But he warned that unresolved problems — particularly the continued power shortages, high cost of living and limited job opportunities — remain the issues that most directly shape public sentiment.
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection reported in October that many families still struggle to afford essential items, often reducing food quality or skipping meals to cope.
Power crisis deepens strain
Hichilema acknowledged the severity of the energy deficit, blaming it on drought and the country’s dependence on hydropower. He said Zambia’s generation capacity had been ‘decapitated’, describing the crisis as a ‘wake-up call’. His government is now accelerating solar and thermal projects, he added.
Frequent blackouts have severely disrupted small businesses and households, fuelling the irritation increasingly visible at public events.
Critics raise democracy concerns
Opponents also accuse the president of embracing repressive tactics. Although Hichilema repealed the offence of defaming the president, analysts say authorities have used other laws — including the Cybersecurity Law — to pursue critics. Dr Sishuwa argued that these measures mirror the same heavy-handedness Hichilema once condemned.
The president insisted his administration had acted within the law, rejecting claims of political targeting.
Push to redraw constituencies stirs tension
Hichilema’s support for a constitutional review that includes increasing the number of constituencies has also drawn scrutiny. Critics say he opposed a similar proposal under Lungu. He argues the constitution requires periodic boundary adjustments to ensure equitable resource distribution.
Some groups are planning national prayers in protest. The president has urged them to use formal consultation and legal avenues instead.
Tension rises as election nears
With the August 2026 election approaching, Hichilema has appealed for patience, saying meaningful reforms take time. But as the Copperbelt assault highlighted, parts of the electorate may be running out of it.
