Sishuwa Points To Crisis In Lungu’s Leadership
Historian and political activist Sishuwa Sishuwa has accused President Lungu of taking a back seat in response to Zambia’s ongoing health and financial disasters, resulting in a crisis of leadership within the government.
Taking to Twitter on Monday, Dr Sishuwa wrote: “What is the reason for Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu talking less, amidst the impending crises in the economic and health sectors? Are these really the actions of a man in charge? He has only made a single public appearance in the last one month”.
Dr Sishuwa, who is a lecturer at the University of Zambia, further accused President Lungu of creating a “leadership vacuum”, within which ministers are competing for public attention to further their own ambitions of leadership.
In particular he singled out Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo, who has recently taken a more diplomatic stance in distancing himself from Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo’s public whipping campaign, and thanking the UPND for their donations to help fight Covid-19.
When a minister “suddenly starts to say all the right things”, said Sishuwa, “then you know that something is brewing”.
Dr Sishuwa’s comments come after an apparent retreat from the public eye by President Lungu, who has only addressed the nation twice since the coronavirus pandemic began, each time in a recorded address.
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases currently stands at 70, with three deaths. The disease is also expected to have a catastrophic effect on Zambia’s economy, which is predicted to shrink by as much as 3.5% this year, according to the IMF. Yet several commentators have remarked that the president is conspicuous by his absence.
“Where’s the President? Why has he decided to stay away”, wrote human rights activist Brebner Changala in The Mast.
Meanwhile several cabinet ministers have taken more active roles in communicating with the public, such as Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya, whose daily Covid-19 updates frequently mention the president but never feature him.
Dr Shishuwa explained that the purpose of such actions by ministers is “to be seen that one is working and to endear oneself to the public” in anticipation of a possible leadership bid.
Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa