Gen Z issues ultimatum to Hichilema, unity government ruled out

from ARNOLD MULENGA in Lusaka, Zambia Zambia Bureau LUSAKA, (CAJ News) — NAVIGATING a deep crisis of democratic legitimacy and balancing calls for political reconciliation against an unyielding youth voter base will be the defining challenge of President Hakainde Hichilema’s second five-year term in Zambia.The Gen Z movement is lining up to be one of his antagonists following an election that this youth-led movement and his rivals have rejected.Meanwhile, there are suggestions that Hichilema should consider an inclusive government of national unity, including his rivals in the just-concluded poll, in order to heal and take forward a country left divided by arguably the fiercest election in the Southern African country’s history.With Gen Z calling the elections “theft of the vote of Zambians”, confrontational days lie ahead between the government and this group behind the global wave of youth-led political and social protests driven by economic inequality and corruption.Already, a group calling itself patrons of the local Gen Z has given Hichilema a 48-hour ultimatum to release all political prisoners and opposition officials arrested during crackdowns leading up to, during and after the elections.If their demand is not met, the organisation said it would petition international bodies, including the African Union, European Union and Southern African Development Community, as well as international human rights organisations.“We wish that the next five years will not be defined by character assassination, arrests, and intimidation of the opposition. Let it be defined by development, jobs, and respect for democracy,” Gen Z Patrons stated.The group added, “We submit this letter in the spirit of democracy, accountability and love for Zambia.”Commentator Daves Kunda said, “The willing disruption of presidential events and post-election protests demonstrate that the fear of the state security machinery has diminished among younger citizens.”“The youth are highly likely to remain a vocal, disruptive force, ensuring that government missteps are instantly scrutinised in the court of public opinion,” he added.Hichilema has incurred the wrath of the youth and the public before.He was rushed to safety after a group of angry youths targeted him in a stone-throwing attack in November 2025 in the Copperbelt town of Chingola. Shortly into his speech, members of the crowd began shouting, looting nearby shops and hurling stones towards the stage.A mob subsequently targeted the president’s motorcade. They set a police vehicle on fire, burnt the presidential holding tent and destroyed event property.Youth-led movements have consistently protested the use of the criminal justice system to silence dissent.At his acceptance speech this week, Hichilema pledged to continue giving hope to young people to better their lives.He said his administration would create jobs for them and continue supporting vulnerable people in society through interventions such as the social cash transfer and cash-for-work programmes.Hichilema also cited the inclusion of youth in decision-making, such as the constitutional provision that would see 15 young people enter Parliament following the passing of Bill 7 into law.Dr Chris Zumani Zimba, a political scientist and Chief Presidential Adviser to Brian Mundubile, who came second in the just-concluded election, proposed an inclusive government of national unity.He had earlier made the proposal regardless of the winner between Hichilema and Mundubile.“This presidential election will remain notoriously divisive and problematic for multiple reasons,” Zimba said.“Following such a divisive election, the winner must choose to rule with the loser and the loser must accept to support the winner.”Mundubile noted that such recommendations might not please both candidates, but he believes these are workable strategies in dispute settlement, peacebuilding and conflict resolution globally.“Such political interventions are not designed to make Hichilema or Mundubile happy, but to unite and heal the divided nation,” Zimba said.An analyst, Brian Polombwe, ruled out the possibility of a unity government.He said the core opposition was highly unlikely to accept an invitation to join such a government, as doing so would completely compromise their stance on the election’s legitimacy.“Because the main opposition alliance refuses to recognise Hakainde Hichilema as duly elected, joining his Cabinet would mean implicitly validating a victory they claim is fraudulent.”Polombwe said ultimately, while Hichilema would use the language of national reconciliation to calm post-election volatility, his administration would retain full control of the state.“A true unity government will remain off the table as long as the state crackdown on major opposition leaders continues,” he said.Meanwhile, Zambia is under international scrutiny regarding the arbitrary arrests and detentions of opposition political members.The United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) called on the government to immediately stop arbitrary arrests, protect due process and ensure that all legal proceedings align with international human rights standards.“At this critical post-election juncture, it is essential to uphold respect for human rights and ensure that any grievances arising from the election are voiced and addressed peacefully, and in accordance with international human rights law,” Volker Türk, UN human rights chief, said.— CAJ News