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FORMER heads of state should at any given time occupy a dignified position in society and offer valuable advice on national as well as international affairs, particularly those pertaining to governance and conflict resolution.
Considering the dignity and decorum accorded to the office of the republican President, former heads of state are expected to assume a more esteemed status that would always inspire citizens in the countries they have served and other people beyond the borders.
It is for this reason that we feel the return of former republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to active politics has in its sincerity, robbed Zambia of a statesman and ideally a father of the nation figure who should have been providing guidance and counsel on national matters in addition to playing the role of unifying the nation.
It is our considered view that Mr. Lungu should have pursued a dignified post-presidential life by completely staying away from partisan politics than being misled by the “alebwelelapo” chorus, spearheaded by his sycophants who are just after milking him financially.
Mr. Lungu ruled the country through the Patriotic Front (PF) party for seven years after taking over from late PF founder, Michael Sata, who died in 2014.
He lost to the current republican President Hakainde Hichilema with over a million votes.
His return to active politics had long been anticipated but that was the first formal announcement, putting to rest months of speculations.
We are, however, at pain to note that the former head of state who was supposed to be a figure of honour and statesmanship had become entangled in political matters that have a potential to undermine his status.
Already, the re-entrance of Mr. Lungu into the political arena has sparked tensions between his supporters and that of Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa, who was elected as PF president at a recent disputed conference.
We agree with Mr. Changala that president Lungu’s political comeback is a flop because, so far, there is no any impact aparty from the erupted intra part feuds which has torn apart PF into factions.
And knowing how nasty the game can sometimes be, Mr. Lungu is just exposing himself to political mudslinging and character assassination associated with politics, and risked being stripped of the decorum that should go with the status of a former republican President.
As the only one surviving former head of state in Zambia, he should have kept away from active politics and concentrated on playing the role of giving guidance to the current regime, as a fountain of wisdom.
We have seen how some of the former heads of state lived stately lives after leaving office and they commanded respect.
They have been instrumental in bringing about peace and stability to their countries and the world at large through assignments given to them by the different organisations and present presidents.
One of them is the late Nelson Mandela of South Africa. To date, Nelson Mandela is a ‘god’ worldwide because of the fatherly role he played.
Late Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda is another one who enjoyed his retirement peacefully though he was briefly imprisoned by Frederick Chiluba when he had returned to active politics. Nevertheless, Dr. Kaunda was accorded the respect he deserved when remained in retirement.
We also saw how late president Rupiah Banda was used by the state to help other countries in peace talks.
Therefore, our view is that Mr. Lungu was better off in retirement than in active politics. Otherwise, he will be subjected to insults and political harassment from his political opponents, including those from within his own party.
There are a lot of meaningful things that Mr. Lungu can do apart from fighting for opposition leadership with the likes of Miles Sampa.
As PF navigates its political turbulence, Mr. Lungu is likely going to be badly bruised, thereby being stripped of the decorum that should go with the status of a former republican President.
Notwithstanding his weaknesses like any other person, Mr. Lungu has a large reservoir of political experience and knowledge which can be put to good use as a mediator and conciliator to resolve conflicts in strife-torn African countries. For instance, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) can rely on his experience and knowledge.
However, they can only call on him when he takes a more dignified way of life, in this case, staying in retirement and playing a fatherly role in fostering unity.
Besides, as chairperson of the SADC organ on politics, defense and security cooperation, President Hichilema can appoint him either as special peace envoy to different countries, or as head of many election observer missions in Africa due to his political experience and vast knowledge of African affairs.
Thus, it is our prayer that Mr. Lungu would soon realize that his role is certainly not to stab those in power in the back nor try to wage a liberation struggle long after political independence had been won in 1964, but joining hands with the government of the day in its efforts to promote national unity.
He is better off being a fatherly figure by playing an advisory role on national issues without taking sides for the sake of development and harmony.
Of course, Mr. Lungu enjoys a constitutional and democratic right to be able to participate in the political sphere of Zambia, but doing so exposes him to political mudslinging and character assassination associated with politics.
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