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IState House has defended President Hakainde Hichilema’s visit to Tanzania for the inauguration of that country’s President-elect Samia Suluhu Hassan, stating that the trip was driven by Zambia’s long-term national interests.
State House Chief Communications Specialist, Clayson Hamasaka, said Hichilema’s visit to Tanzania was undertaken in line with the country’s diplomatic and economic priorities.
Responding to criticism from opposition parties, Hamasaka said in a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday that as Head of State, President Hichilema carried the responsibility to safeguard Zambia’s national interests.
He stated that the President had a duty to promote regional cooperation through constructive engagement.
“The two countries share key infrastructure such as TAZARA, the TAZAMA Pipeline, and the Port of Dar es Salaam, which remain critical to Zambia’s trade and logistics,” Hamasaka said.
He noted that the smooth operation of these systems was vital to maintaining economic stability and protecting Zambian citizens from disruptions that could affect commodity prices.
Hamasaka added that attending the inauguration provided an opportunity to reaffirm Zambia’s commitment to keeping economic channels open and to continue engaging constructively on matters that directly impact the livelihoods of citizens.
“President Hichilema is a committed democrat who consistently upholds the values of free, fair, and credible elections. These are principles he champions and lives by every day in office,” he assured.
He further stated that Zambia’s foreign policy was grounded in mutual respect, adding that the government did not impose itself on the domestic processes of its neighbours, but remained focused on advancing cooperation that benefits Zambian citizens.
Hamasaka assured that President Hichilema remained focused on strengthening democracy, growing the economy, restoring international credibility, and ensuring that Zambia’s voice in the region stands for peace, stability, and principled engagement.
However, People’s Alliance for Change (PAC) leader, Andyford Banda, described the President’s decision as shameful and deeply concerning.
“This comes against the backdrop of a Tanzanian election that was far from being credible, marred by widespread violence, irregularities, and reports that security forces killed hundreds of citizens,” Banda said.
He expressed concern that a Zambian President would choose to legitimize such a widely condemned process by attending the controversial inauguration.
Banda stated that Zambia had long been regarded as a beacon of democracy in the region, and President Hichilema himself ascended to power as an opposition leader through a free and fair democratic process — a privilege of the democracy that Zambia has cherished since returning to multiparty politics in 1991.
“In opposition, President Hichilema and the UPND promised to uphold and strengthen democratic values, even after enduring persecution under the previous regime,” he said.
Banda said recent actions had, however, put those democratic commitments into question, citing the arrests and convictions of opposition leaders using archaic laws such as sedition and the draconian Cyber Security Act.
He further criticised the continued abuse of the Public Order Act, which he said stifled opposition gatherings, and the alleged manipulation of the Registrar of Societies to create confusion within political parties, arguing that such actions undermined democracy.
“The latest endorsement of a clearly stolen election in Tanzania sends a dangerous signal. It reflects a worrying shift in Zambia’s democratic posture as we approach the 2026 general elections,” he said.
Banda added that it was particularly disturbing that President Hichilema chose to skip the inauguration of Malawi’s President, Arthur Peter Mutharika, who won a fair and credible election, yet rushed to endorse a process where the incumbent secured an unbelievable 98 percent of the vote.
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