Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema has come out fighting after a bruising month that saw him come under attack by stone throwers as he was trying to make a speech.
Video clips of him crouching and then being whisked away from a rally in the Copperbelt province shocked Zambians and many people, irrespective of their political affiliation, condemned what happened.
But with nine months to go until elections and a run for a second term, the president is under pressure.
On Tuesday, in his first press conference for 18 months, Hichilema set out to defend his record and laid out his achievements on the key issues of the economy and power generation.
This level of hatred is shocking, you can see and even touch the venom, he said, while appealing for Zambians to love each other.
However, the message may not hit home with those who are continuing to struggle day to day. The president has lost touch with the real pulse of the people, according to opposition candidate for Lusaka mayor, Simon Mwila, who explained why people were throwing stones rather than flowers.
Sishuwa Sishuwa, a Zambian historian, contends that Hichilema has deviated from his original principles, asserting, In power and over the last four years, Hichilema has turned out to be nearly everything he detested about his predecessor, Edgar Lungu, and in some cases, much worse.
This indictment is dismissed by the president, who highlights his achievements in resolving the debt crisis and stabilizing finances.
During a visit to Chingola on November 8, Hichilema aimed for a positive reception, arriving with $450,000 for the reconstruction of a local market destroyed in a fire. Instead, he faced hostility and was forced to abandon his address.
Police attributed the unrest to unruly members of the public allegedly involved in looting, leading to the arrest of 27 individuals for violence and arson.
The president accused illegal artisanal miners of inciting violence, asserting his government's commitment to cracking down on unregulated mining operations.
The upcoming 2026 elections loom large as Hichilema remains embroiled in a battle to win back the public's trust amid ongoing economic hardships. "pushed_text": "
In the 2021 elections, Hichilema, riding a wave of popularity, won a landslide victory despite challenges such as a default on debts and inflation rates nearing 25%. He campaigned with the promise of fixing the country's woes. Presently, while improvements have been noted — including renegotiated debt repayments and a decline in inflation to below 12% — his administration is blamed for failing to address pressing issues like power shortages and high living costs...
Hichilema acknowledged the energy crisis, exacerbated by drought impacting hydroelectric production, and has pledged development projects for alternative energy sources. His presidency, once regarded as a beacon of democratic values, now faces accusations of implementing repressive laws akin to those of his predecessor.
As these tensions unfold and the public's patience wanes amid unmet expectations and economic distress, Hichilema calls for unity, yet the stone-throwing incident underscores the escalating frustrations among the Zambian populace.
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