Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has adopted a combative tone after a tumultuous month that saw him attacked by stone-hurling crowds during a public address.
Videos showing the president crouching for cover before being rushed away from a rally in the Copperbelt province shocked many Zambians across the political spectrum. With elections nine months away and his bid for a second term underway, the incident has intensified scrutiny on his leadership.
Holding his first press briefing in 18 months, Hichilema defended his record especially on the economy and power generation and urged unity.
“This level of hatred is shocking… you can almost touch the venom,” he said, appealing for Zambians to “love one another.”
Yet his message may feel distant to citizens still grappling with daily hardship.
Opposition figures say Hichilema has drifted away from ordinary people. Lusaka mayoral candidate Simon Mwila argued that growing frustration explains why some citizens are “throwing stones rather than flowers.”
Political analyst Sishuwa Sishuwa of Stellenbosch University added that the president has abandoned many principles he championed before taking office, an accusation Hichilema rejects. He points instead to his achievements in tackling national debt and stabilising government finances.
The 8 November attack occurred in Chingola, where Hichilema had travelled with $450,000 (£340,000) to help rebuild a market destroyed by fire. Instead of a warm welcome, he was forced to flee from a hostile crowd. Police have since arrested 27 people for violence and arson, blaming the unrest on looters.
Hichilema claims illegal artisanal miners resisting government regulation orchestrated the chaos. “We will not allow thuggery to return ever again,” he warned.
The president entered office in 2021 on a wave of optimism, defeating Edgar Lungu amid soaring inflation, power cuts, and a national debt default. Campaigning under the slogan “Bally will fix it,” he promised sweeping reforms.
Since then, Zambia has restructured major loans, secured investment, and reduced inflation to below 12%. The kwacha has recently strengthened after years of decline. Economist Trevor Hambayi describes the fiscal turnaround as an “overriding success story,” citing improved budget controls and increased funding for infrastructure, education, health, and government recruitment.
However, persistent power shortages, high living costs, and limited job opportunities continue to overshadow these gains.
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection noted in its latest report that essential food and household prices remain burdensome, pushing many families to reduce food quality or skip meals altogether.
Hichilema has acknowledged the crisis, saying the government understands the public’s “pain and frustration” over ongoing power outages, but with the 2026 election approaching, patience is wearing thin.