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Democracy Advocate Mo Ibrahim has urged President Hakainde Hichilema to protect and strengthen his strong legacy, emphasizing the need not to undermine Zambia’s decades-long democratic legacy amid arrests, a former minister’s killing, and court closures.
The Chairperson and Founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation said he was watching events in Zambia with deep concern and urged the government to uphold constitutional processes beyond the ballot box.
According to a statement released from London on Thursday, Ibrahim’s intervention comes as Zambia faces mounting scrutiny following the suspension of vote counting, the arrest of opposition members, and the killing of former minister, Mutotwe Kafwaya.
The philanthropist also flagged the government’s decision to close Zambia’s top courts, including the Constitutional Court, just before the deadline for challenging election results, a move opposition leaders and civil society have condemned.
“Mr President Hichilema, your first mandate was defined by progress. Do not waste what you have achieved,” Ibrahim wrote in his direct address to President Hichilema.
He argued that elections alone ddi not define democracy, arguing that the post-election period was equally critical in determining whether a country respects the rule of law.
“We are watching post presidential election developments in Zambia with deep concern. Elections are of course a key test of democracy. But the test extends beyond what happens at the ballot box,” Ibrahim said.
He cited specific alarming developments which he said should have no place in a democracy such as arrests of political opponents, political violence, and interference with the judiciary.
“The arbitrary arrest of opposition members; the killing of a former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya and the suspension of vote counting: these should never happen in a true democracy,” he stated.
Ibrahim warned that closing the courts only adds to the mess and risks eroding Zambia’s reputation as a model for peaceful transfers of power in Africa.
He said the recent decision to close Zambia’s top courts, including the Constitutional Court, only added to the mess especially that Zambia has a proud legacy of competitive elections, peaceful transfers of power and respect for constitutional processes.
Ibrahim reminded President Hichilema that Zambia’s legacy was built over decades and showcased internationally, but stressed that legacies were not automatic.
“It has been showcased as a model to follow. Mr President: Your own legacy could be just as strong. But no legacy can be taken for granted. It must be protected and strengthened from one mandate to the next,” he said.
Ibrahim echoed growing concern from the Commonwealth, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Amnesty International, the Law Association of Zambia, and opposition leader Brian Mundubile, who has called for an election petition to be heard despite the court closures.
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