ZAMBIA: Main opposition leader Hichilema hits the ground running

By: Ollus Ndomu

Zambia’s main opposition United Party for National Development -UPND- leader, Hakainde Hichilema, hit the ground running on Thursday after his supporters lambasted him on social media for isolating himself from the heated ongoing political campaigns ahead of next month’s elections.

Hichilema fondly called Bally, came under heavy criticism for relying on Facebook to engage with his supporters when his major rival, Republican President Edgar Lungu was everywhere across the country canvasing for votes.

The opposition leader had stayed back from engaging his supporters physically following police’s continued blocking of the opposition’s campaign activities in the name of enforcing COVID-19 preventive measures.

At the height of an increasing criticism, Hichilema announced Thursday, that his party would embark on a nationwide distribution of face-masks, and later drove to Kafue district where several thousand supporters mobbed him.

Hichilema, 59, is attempting at the country’s presidency for the sixth time and is seemingly enjoying massive support among urban populations which are enduring the soaring cost of living.

Zambians will cast the ballot next month on August 12 to elect their next president, lawmakers, mayors and councilors amidst a free falling economy.

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