FORMER President Edgar Lungu has run his race in the political arena and must be allowed to retire in peace.
That is his wish as he stated yesterday.
It is ironic that due to the toxicity in the country’s politics, he has not been left alone ever since he lost the presidential vote in the August 12, 2021 tripartite elections.
Even before the new president, Mr Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in, there were insinuations that his retirement perks be suspended until he retired formally. The opposition peddled the narrative that he was still the Patriotic Front president even when he had stepped down and handed over to an acting president, Mr Given Lubinda.
But yesterday, Mr Lungu was emphatic, reiterating that after serving in the highest office of the land, it is prudent that he now focuses on being a servant of the people.
We agree.
What more is there for him to achieve after rising to the highest office in the land as President of the republic?
He does not need to be involved in the country’s petty politics any more for his constituency is the whole country.
This is why he wants to be of service to the country and the international community through the Edgar Lungu Foundation, which he has stressed is non partisan. Mr Lungu said those who want to work with him through the Edgar Lungu Foundation should be clear that there is no politicking at all.
“I think that there is a common place where politics, he said, religion, the good will of civil society and others meet. I think that is where I want to meet my colleagues and we all agree that Edgar Lungu Foundation means well.
It is important for Zambians to accept the concept that leaving the republican presidency does not make one irrelevant in the country’s affairs.
They must understand that there is life after State House.
By now, Zambians must have learnt lessons from the country’s former presidents – Kenneth Kaunda, Frederick Chiluba, and Rupiah Banda.
Dr Kaunda, after losing to Dr Chiluba in 1991 continued in politics and only retired in March 2001.
After his retirement, he committed his life to fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic that ravaged the world and won him global recognition.
Dr Chiluba was never allowed to enjoy his retirement after his successor, Dr Mwanawasa removed his presidential immunity to face charges of corruption and money laundering.
Even after he was acquitted, he did not have peace of mind as befitting a former head of state.
Mr Banda suffered a similar fate as Dr Chiluba by having his immunity lifted to stand trial that eventually saw him acquitted.
At least through Mr Banda, Zambians learnt how he served the country and the international community by being picked to observe elections in several African countries as an elder statesman.
There are many examples around the world where former leaders won more respect after vacating office.
One example is former United States President Jimmy Carter through the Carter Foundation that promotes democratic ideals throughout the world.
That is the role that Zambians must wish for President Lungu.
They must allow him to grow the ELF and not view it through political lenses.
