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The Youth Advocates for Development in Africa (YADA) has cautioned traditional leaders against engaging in partisan politics or issuing divisive statements that could inflame ethnic and political tensions in the country.
YADA National Youth Coordinator, Alex Chikankatika, made the remarks in response to a recent statement by Chief Chikanza Munyama of Itezhi-Tezhi, who called for the deregistration of the former ruling Patriotic Front (PF), labeling it a “threat to national security and unity.”
Chikankatika said traditional leaders hold revered positions in society and must remain neutral in political discourse in order to preserve their role as unifiers and custodians of national harmony.
“Chiefs are custodians of our cultural heritage and the collective wisdom of our communities. Their influence can significantly impact social cohesion and political dynamics,” he stated in a press release on Tuesday.
He warned that when traditional leaders publicly make politically charged statements, it risked exacerbating divisions and undermining democracy.
“The Chief’s remarks come across as politicised rather than objective—especially considering that the Head of State hails from the Ila-speaking community of Namwala. Such statements could be interpreted as aligning with the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), further polarising the political landscape,” Chikankatika said.
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He stressed the importance of upholding democratic principles and creating an inclusive political environment where divergent views are respected.
“At this critical juncture in Zambia’s political history, we must prioritise dialogue over division and ensure that all citizens, including traditional leaders, promote unity rather than partisanship,” he said.
Chikankatika further criticised the call for the deregistration of a party with over 58 serving Members of Parliament, saying it undermined the tenets of democracy.
“Chief Chikanza’s call for the eradication of an entire political entity, regardless of ideological differences, contradicts the democratic values Zambia upholds as a Christian and democratic nation,” he said.
He urged traditional leaders to reflect carefully on the broader implications of their public statements and remain above partisan politics.
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