´Polls will be about poverty and jobs´—ECL
25.08.24
Mr. Edgar Lungu, the sixth President of Zambia says the next polls in 2026 will be about lack of jobs and high poverty levels, not personalities.
Lungu was speaking at a rally in the resort town of Samfya in northern Luapula province during a Citizens First (CF) rally organised by party leader Harry Kalaba supported by UKA.
“When we talk about high poverty levels in Zambia the UPND says but theres CDF,” said an energised Lungu, “but the CDF doesn’t reach the people it is intended for its sham.”
Lungu adds, “when we talk about joblessness, the UPND say but there´s free education but that doesn’t work because no teacher can sufficiently teach 150 children in one classroom it’s a joke.”
The sixth President said the time for change has come because, “Zambians have given the UPND a chance to improve their lives, but they have failed the test lamentably. We on the other hand can get the job done.”
Lungu described as a sad situation the rising starvation and rising fear among Zambians as the state becomes more and more intolerant under President Hichilema, detaining and arresting anyone with dissenting views.
He also bemoaned the deteriorating diplomatic relations between Zambia and neighbours such as Zimbabwe following Mr Hichilema´s decision to snub President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the recent SADC meeting in Harare.
“There is no need for a stand-off between Zambia and long-standing neighbours Zimbabwe there´s not a problem we cannot solve using diplomacy,” said Lungu.
He wondered how low an ebb relation between Zambia and Zimbabwe reached to an extent that not only does Mr Hichilema snub Mnangagwa, but his diplomats also carry their own food to attend SADC meetings.
The rally attracted more than 20, 000 people from all walks of life in the sleepy fishing town of Samfya attracting others from nearby towns such as Mansa.