By Merlyn Mwanza
Republican President Hakainde Hichilema says the only way democracy will work is by accelerating economic development, balanced distribution of resources and people accessing opportunities for a better life.
Delivering his maiden address to the 75 gathering of heads of state and government summit at the United Nations in New York, President Hichilema said it was the responsibility of those in the global democratic world to ensure democracy worked for the people in order to keep away autocratic alternatives.
“We can do this by delivering democratic dividends through accelerating economic development, balanced distribution of resources among our people and our people accessing opportunities for a better life. This is what will make democracy attractive to our people in our individual countries,” President Hichilema said. “This is what will make democracy sustainable and keep away autocratic and heavy handed alternatives from leadership in our countries. This is what will foster a peaceful, prosperous and more united world.”
President Hichilema said he was delivering the speech as the 7th President of Zambia, after the people rose to the occasion once again to usher in anew government through a peaceful election.
“This has enabled Zambia to further consolidate our democratic credentials which serves as an inspiration to the African continent where the outcome of our election was determined by those who vote and not those who count votes,” President Hichilema said, adding that he was proud to provide leadership where people aspired for a free and just society.
He said the country managed to achieve this even while grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic and the loss of statesman Dr Kenneth Kaunda, who laid the peaceful foundation, which has seen Zambia as a beacon of peace.
President Hichilema urged the world to build upon Dr Kaunda’s legacy of peace and coexistence with one another.
On the Covid-19 pandemic, President Hichilema outlined the vaccine programme as key in responding to the problem, despite bemoaning the fact that only three percent of the country was vaccinated, saying this clearly highlighted the inequitable access to vaccines especially that 2 billion had been administered world wide
He said it was gratifying that the current session will consider building on other vaccine programmes which were ongoing, further appreciating the support given so far while calling for investment into local vaccine manufacturing capacity and technology transfer.
The President reiterated that his administration will ensure the autonomy of the three arms of government, particularly the legislature and the judiciary.
“The fight against corruption will be at the center of our transformation agenda. And this shall be expected to be executed with zero tolerance to corruption,” President Hichilema said, and that he shall promote a free media and strong civil society which were vital in providing checks and balances and ensuring human rights, liberties and freedoms.
He said his new dawn government was committed to realising sustainable development while paying attention that it was not achieved at the expense of future generations.
President Hichilema said peace and stability were key to sustainable economic growth, and that Zambia will continue to support national, regional and international efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability.
He said Zambia will play an active role in the SADC initiatives at restoring peace to Mozambique, and remained committed to the Lusaka initiative to silence guns in Africa, saying the UN must support this.
President Hichilema encouraged other states that have not ratified the TPNW to do so.
“On UN reforms Zambia is concerned with the slow pace of negotiations that have continued without making much progress. Zambia wishes to reiterate the African common position, the Ezulwini consensus that calls for a more representative and democratic United Nations Security Council so that all other world regions will be represented on this body,” said President Hichilema.
He said the government of Zambia remained committed towards economic diplomacy and multiralism with the international community in order to ensure sustainable growth in the country.
