BARNABAS ZULU
ZAMBIA is under siege and unless Zambians rise and register as voters and turn out in large numbers to vote out the UPND regime, there is a real danger that the country would be completely balkanised after the 2026 general election, Harry Kalaba has warned.
Mr Kalaba., the leader of the Citizens First (CF) has described the Hakainde Hichilema administration as a failed project that should never extend its stay in power beyond 2026.
Speaking during a press briefing yesterday, Mr Kalaba said Zambians voted for President Hichilema and the UPND as an experiment and that it had turned out that in fact the project had failed and were now eager to correct the mistake.
“The reality is that Zambia is under siege and those who do not accept that are doing that at their own peril. The nation is under siege from an experimental and disastrous leadership that has clearly failed.
Citizens must be reminded of their civic duties, which among them includes encouraging their family members who are 18 years and above to apply for NRCs and Voters Cards so that come 13th August, 2026, they show up in large numbers to put this experiment to a stop once and for all. We should all make a resolve to end Cyber Laws by voting out the bully,” Mr Kalaba said.
He also expressed concern on the issue of police brutality, stating that every unpopular government had always resorted to police brutality and intimidation, including arbitrary arrest of political opponents.
“We must bring to an end police brutality and harassment by voting out the UPND and its leadership. We must work together as a united front and say no to tribal division and vote out the current leadership that is keen on dividing us based on tribe and region of origin,” he said.
Mr Kalaba said Zambians were resolved to restore One Zambia One Nation by voting out the UPND, stating that the country was faced with a leadership crisis.
“The country is currently faced with a serious leadership crisis that demands urgent remedy and frankly speaking, the country cannot afford to go for yet another five years of hunger and starvation without any chance of resolving the problem.
Zambia needs a leadership that will take ownership rather than allocate blame. The CF will accept responsibility and not attribute any challenge to others while seeking to take credit for their successes,” he said.
He urged all interest groups to come together and reset the country, warning that a fragmented civil society and opposition risked allowing the UPND continue in power, thereby throwing citizens into deeper economic miseries.
“The CF is calling upon the opposition, CSOs, the clergy, trade unions, student bodies, and indeed the general citizenry to come together and help reset the nation. This is time for a total reset so we start allowing Zambian citizens to take ownership of their economy. We need to reset and get back the factors of production and allow Zambians to be the drivers of the economic engine and more importantly, to allow the country to regain its position of respect among its neighbours in the region and beyond,” Mr Kalaba said.
