Former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu wants Zambians to believe that he will do better if he bounces back in 2026. However, Chagwa risks coming across as confusing. Since announcing what he calls a political comeback, Lungu has gained confidence, arguing that part of the reason for his decision is what he perceives as the persecution of his family. Meanwhile, UKA Chairperson Sakwiba Sikota says alliance partners have agreed to support whichever one of them is chosen as the flag bearer in 2026. Let us take time to explore and understand the implications of Chagwa’s statement.
First, to do better is to agree that something wasn’t done right in the past. Chagwa must explain what that is. We know what Lungu did when he was President of Zambia. Chagwa’s PF was one of the most arrogant political parties in the history of Zambia. Party cadres terrorized innocent citizens, peddled corruption, and fostered neo-patrimonial tendencies. The PF penetrated official state business, blurring the boundaries between party and government structures. The government was antagonistic to students, lecturers, and, in some cases, traditional leaders. Corruption was a major issue, and Lungu did very little to reprimand his ministers.
Chagwa lost power partly because of misplaced priorities and an inability to connect with ordinary citizens. While Lungu built his campaign on the physical infrastructure his government developed and increased government control of Zambia’s mines, the reality was more chaotic than anything else. In fact, these projects became avenues for rent-seeking behavior by his ministers. Many government projects were called out for being overpriced. Additionally, Chagwa’s regime controversially ran the Mukula tree business and opened new territories, such as Forest 27, for residential deals—many of which went to his ministers, with beneficiaries reportedly extending to ministers in the current regime.
Chagwa’s statement opens a new space for conversation. It raises legitimate questions: What will Chagwa do better? Do better from what? What will Chagwa use to do better—his previous ministers? What will he change? Under what vision will this change take place? These questions have not been clarified for Zambians to understand what is new about Chagwa. Without clarifying new visions and political strategies, Chagwa azagwa na futi (will fall again).
