KALABA URGES OPPOSITION UNITY AMID GOVERNANCE CRISIS, CALLS FOR NATIONAL RESET
Independent Political Correspondent
Saturday, 2nd May, 2026
Lusaka, Zambia — Citizens First President Harry Kalaba has called for urgent unity among opposition leaders, framing Zambia’s deepening governance challenges as a defining opportunity to reset the country’s political and economic direction.
Speaking on Emmanuel Mwamba’s EMV program, Kalaba said the issues raised in the farewell remarks of outgoing U.S. Ambassador Michael Gonzales paint a troubling picture of systemic failure, marked by entrenched corruption, weak institutions, and a lack of accountability at the highest levels.
Rather than dwell solely on criticism, Kalaba emphasized that the moment demands a constructive response from Zambia’s opposition.
“What we are seeing today is not just a governance failure. It is a national wake-up call. This is the moment for opposition leaders to come together and offer a credible alternative that restores integrity, accountability, and trust in public institutions,” he said.
A TURNING POINT FOR ZAMBIA
The CF leader noted that the concerns raised by the ambassador—including large-scale financial leakages, failure to act against corruption, and dwindling investor confidence—underscore long-standing structural weaknesses in governance and has been amplified by the presidents failure to take corrective action and instead opted to play to the gallery with a lot of rhetoric
He argued that these challenges have left ordinary citizens bearing the brunt of economic hardship while critical sectors such as healthcare remain overly dependent on external support.
According to Kalaba, the situation demands more than political competition. It requires collective leadership.
“Zambia cannot afford a fragmented opposition when the stakes are this high. We must rise above personal ambition and work toward a shared vision for national recovery,” he said.
UNITY MUST GO BEYOND LEADERS
In a pointed message to fellow opposition figures, Kalaba stressed that unity must not only be demonstrated at leadership level, but also reflected among party members and supporters.
He expressed concern over growing hostility between supporters of different opposition parties, warning that such behavior undermines efforts to build a united front.
“It is not enough for leaders to shake hands in public while their supporters are busy insulting and attacking one another online and in communities. That is not unity. It is deception,” Kalaba said.
He called on opposition leaders to take responsibility for the conduct of their members.
“Leaders must be bold enough to call out their own supporters when they fan division. If we are serious about unity, then discipline and respect must start within our own ranks,” he added.
BUILDING A CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE
Kalaba maintained that Zambia’s current challenges—highlighted both by domestic voices and international partners—present an opening for the opposition to redefine itself as a credible, disciplined, and solutions-driven alternative.
He stressed that unity should not be superficial or transactional, but grounded in shared principles of good governance, transparency, and national interest. He cautioned against the
“This is an opportunity to rebuild Zambia on a foundation of integrity. But that can only happen if opposition leaders genuinely commit to working together and presenting one clear vision to the people,” he said.
A CALL FOR NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Kalaba concluded by urging both leaders and citizens to reflect on the country’s direction and take responsibility for shaping its future.
“The challenges we face today require courage, honesty, and unity. If we get this right, Zambia can emerge stronger. But if we allow division to define us, we risk prolonging the very problems we seek to solve,” he said.
The remarks come as scrutiny intensifies on President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration, with governance, corruption, and economic management increasingly dominating national discourse.
For Kalaba, however, the path forward is clear: unity among opposition leaders is no longer optional. It is essential to delivering the change many Zambians are demanding.
