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Against Nostalgia Politics

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Hikaumba urges Zambians to reject a return to failed governance models and safeguard economic reforms By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24  – (22-06-2026) -  Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Vice President Leonard Hikaumba has called on Zambians to reject what he described as politics of entitlement, warning that the country risks reversing hard-won economic and governance gains if it returns to outdated leadership models. Hikaumba urged citizens to carefully assess the country’s political direction ahead of the 2026 General Election, cautioning against leaders, he said were seeking to revive governance practices associated with previous administrations. He said Zambia’s recent history should serve as a reminder of the consequences of poor economic management, citing constitutional disputes, economic difficulties, and job losses experienced during the Patriotic Front (PF) administration. According to Hikaumba, decisions made during that period adversely affected businesses and...
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DON'T FALL FOR EMPTY PROMISES

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Hikaumba Warns against unsustainable Promises, Urges Voters to Demand Clear Economic Plans from Political Parties By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusak, Zambia24  -- (22-06-2026)  -- The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has urged Zambians to carefully scrutinise campaign promises and reject political pledges that are not supported by practical economic plans. MDC Vice President Leonard Hikaumba said many opposition political parties were focusing on how they would spend public resources without explaining how they intended to generate the revenue needed to finance their promises. Mr. Hikaumba said commitments such as increasing salaries for public workers, introducing debt swap programmes, raising student allowances, purchasing maize dryers, buying produce from marketeers and providing expensive equipment like excavators required sustainable sources of funding. “Leadership is not only about promising people what you will give them. It is about showing the people how you will create w...
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Hands Off ECZ

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CPRA backs campaign regulation, says scheduling is key to peaceful 2026 elections By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusak, Zambia24 -- (21-06-2026) -- The Centre for Peace Research and Advocacy (CPRA) has defended the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s (ECZ) regulation and scheduling of presidential campaign activities ahead of the August 2026 General Elections, saying the commission is acting within its legal mandate. CPRA Executive Director Cliffton Mayaba Chfuwe told Zambia24 that allegations by some political leaders that the ECZ is undermining democracy are misplaced, as the commission is legally mandated to manage elections and ensure campaigns are conducted in a peaceful, orderly and fair manner. Mr Chfuwe said the ECZ has the authority to schedule and regulate campaign activities whenever necessary in order to maintain public order, prevent conflict and protect the integrity of the electoral process. He commended the commission for introducing a structured campaign timetable for preside...
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Outrage in Mwandi

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NGOCC Condemns Alleged Sexist and Violent Campaign Targeting Iris Kaingu By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (21-06-2026) -- The Non-Governmental Gender Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has condemned what it describes as sexist, degrading and violent campaign behaviour targeting independent parliamentary candidate Ms. Iris Kamwi Kaingu in Mwandi Constituency, Western Province. NGOCC Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the organisation is concerned by a circulating video allegedly showing members of the UPND Mwandi chapter singing a song that insults Ms. Kaingu and promotes violence against her. She said the conduct amounts to Violence Against Women in Elections (VAWE). Ms. Katebe said the behaviour violates constitutional rights to dignity and political participation, as well as Zambia’s obligations under international and regional instruments, including CEDAW and the Maputo Protocol. She urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia to act under the Electoral Code of...
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Proposal Debt Swap Not Viable,

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MDC says initiative is impractical, unsustainable and benefits a limited group, urges focus on long-term worker empowerment reforms. By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — (20-06-2026) --- The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has warned that the proposed debt swap policy being championed by some opposition political parties is impractical, unsustainable and less beneficial to workers than existing government programmes, arguing that it would be difficult to implement and offer limited benefits to the broader workforce. MDC Vice President and former Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba questioned the viability of the proposal, saying it faces significant administrative and sustainability challenges that could undermine its effectiveness. He noted that a similar proposal was abandoned by the Patriotic Front (PF) government in 2021 due to concerns over its practicality. Hikaumba said that while the debt swap proposal may appear attractive on the su...
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Call for Better Sickle Cell Care

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Experts, patients and caregivers urge stronger systems, early diagnosis and community action to close survival gaps By Lusaka, Zambia24 – (20-06-2026) --- People living with sickle cell disease can lead healthy, productive and fulfilling lives if communities better understand the condition, support affected families, promote early diagnosis and treatment, and work to eliminate stigma and misconceptions. The call was made during a World Sickle Cell Day Commemorative Scientific Symposium and Patient Summit held under the theme: “Closing the Survival Gap: Equity in Sickle Cell Care.” Speaking at the event, Dr. Mmamulatelo Siame said sickle cell disease should not be treated as a condition managed by hospitals alone, but as a shared responsibility that involves families, schools, caregivers and communities. “We want to focus on our warriors, but also on the community because parents, brothers, sisters, teachers and friends all have a role to play,” she said. Dr. Siame explained that s...
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Protect Economic Gains

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Hikaumba urges workers to back HH as 2026 election campaigns intensify By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24 --- (18-06-2026) -- Former Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba has urged workers and citizens to support President Hakainde Hichilema, saying the country must safeguard economic gains as election campaigning gathers momentum ahead of the 2026 General Elections. Hikaumba told Zambia24 that the UPND government has made progress in stabilising the economy, improving governance, and strengthening engagement with labour unions during its current term in office. He said the campaign period should focus on assessing leadership based on performance rather than political promises, warning workers against being influenced by what he described as election rhetoric. Hikaumba said employment opportunities had increased through recruitment in key sectors such as education, health, and security services, while dialogue between government and labour unions had ...
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