WHATEVER MUSOMA SMOKES IS WORTH SHARING

WE are taken aback by sentiments by one Wright Musoma claiming that Zambia is nowhere near a democratic nation as there is too much injustice prevailing. According to him, Zambia has turned into a brutal state and is degenerating into dictatorship.

This is in response to Zambia being rated as the third most democratic country among nine nations grappling with the threat of autocratic rule, according to the 2024 Democracy Report released by the Varieties Democracy Institute (V-Dem).

The report highlights Zambia’s remarkable journey towards restoring levels of democracy, reaching a pivotal milestone by 2023. Alongside Lesotho and the Maldives, Zambia has shown substantial progress in halting the encroachment of autocratic governance.

The report further indicated that Zambia’s struggle against autocratic tendencies traces back to 2009, a period marked by the onset of authoritarian rule, which was exacerbated by the election of President Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front in 2014.

The 2024 Democracy Report underscores Lungu’s tenure as marred by severe restrictions on fundamental freedoms, including expression, media, and assembly.

It further indicates how Civil society groups and the opposition leaders rallied against Lungu’s attempts to institute constitutional amendments, marking a critical juncture in Zambia’s democratic journey and this collective resistance culminated in the 2021 electoral victory of opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, heralding a new era for Zambia.

This is the information that has not sit well with people like Musoma who were among the beneficiaries of Lungu’s tyrannical rule. These are the people who praised Lungu for everything wrong he and his PF did and defended them in exchange for personal benefits.

We would like to remind Musoma just a few of the many atrocities that were inflicted on innocent Zambians and Lungu’s political opponents for which he mercilessly descended on them like they were not Zambians, to consolidate his stay at the helm of political power. 

In case Musoma has forgotten, we would like to remind him that we have not forgotten how Sean Tembo, the leader of the Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP), was beaten by suspected PF cadres in Lusaka on March 10, 2021. Tembo was attacked while he was on his way to participate in a radio program.

The incident was widely condemned by opposition parties and civil society organizations in Zambia, who called for an investigation into the attack and for those responsible to be held accountable.

The PF denied any involvement in the attack and called for a thorough investigation to determine the perpetrators.

The attack on him raised concerns about the safety of opposition politicians and activists in Zambia, and the need for greater protection of freedom of expression and political dissent in the country. We all know that this case amounted to nothing because it was PF that orchestrated it. People like Musoma could not criticise his godfather Lungu because it served him right.

On the same day but in a separate incident a member of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) was reportedly killed in Sesheke during a political rally in the area.

The incident has sparked outrage and condemnation from the UPND and other opposition parties, who have called for a thorough investigation into the killing and for those responsible to be brought to justice.

The PF as usual denied any involvement in the attack and called for calm and respect for the rule of law. Violence and political tensions were rising in Zambia ahead of the 2021 elections.

The incidents of violence highlighted the need for political parties and leaders to promote peaceful and inclusive political processes, and for the authorities to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation but people like Musoma kept quiet because those who were causing mayhem to the innocent Zambians were his allies.

We have not forgotten how a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party was killed in Luanshya on March 10, 2021 and this was also considered as a politically-motivated attack.

The killing sparked outrage and condemnation from the NDC and other opposition parties, who called for a swift investigation into the murder and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

The incident raised concerns about the increasing levels of political violence and intimidation in Zambia, particularly as the country prepared for the upcoming general elections. Political tensions were running high in Zambia, with reports of violence and intimidation targeting opposition parties and their supporters.

It was essential for all political actors to uphold democratic values, respect human rights, and ensure the safety and security of all citizens and at that time, authorities needed to investigate those senseless killings thoroughly and take action to prevent further violence and ensure accountability for those responsible, but was that done?

NsamaNsama, a resident of Lusaka, Zambia, tragically lost his life in a shooting incident on May 23, 2021. Nsama was reportedly shot and killed by police during a confrontation in which he, himself, was not involved.

The circumstances surrounding Nsama’s death raised concerns and sparked outrage among Zambians, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the incident and for justice to be served.

We know that the police stated that Nsama was shot in self-defence after he allegedly attempted to grab an officer’s weapon during the confrontation. However, eyewitnesses and family members disputed this account, claiming that Nsama was unarmed and posed no threat to the officers.

The killing of Nsama has highlighted long standing issues of police brutality and excessive use of force in Zambia, as well as concerns about accountability and transparency in law enforcement. Calls for justice and reform had been growing in the wake of this tragic incident, with demands for a full investigation, prosecution of those responsible, and measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

We could go on and on chronicling the brutality and loss of life that were witnessed under Lungu’s tyrannical rule which honchos like Musoma supported like blind followers and never said anything. As a matter of fact, records are there where Musoma defended these atrocities all because he and Lungu were towing the same line.

What Musoma has failed to realise is that it was because of PF’s brutality starting form 2014 when his godfather assumed office that Zambia was grouped among nine nations that were grappling with the threat of autocratic rule.

It is sad that today, Musoma has shamelessly found his mouth to talk about democracy and dictatorship all because the streams he was swimming in while defending wrong things have dried after the PF was voted out of office. Unfortunately, this is the calibre of opposition political parties we have. A cadre of individuals who think with their bellies and can go to lengths to defend wrong things just for personal aggrandisement. What a shame!