…‘It was a diplomatic misstep to Zoom in’
2nd Feb 2025
The President of Citizens First (CF), Harry Kalaba, has described Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema’s decision to skip the high-level emergency meeting of SADC heads of state in Harare as a ‘diplomatic blunder.’ The meeting, hosted by Zimbabwean President H.E. Emmerson Mnangagwa, was convened to address the ongoing violent conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Kalaba criticized Hichilema’s absence, stating that choosing to attend via Zoom rather than being physically present was a diplomatic snub. He argued that the President should have prioritized regional peace and demonstrated Zambia’s commitment by attending in person, just as other leaders did.
“As a CF leader and an ordinary peace-loving Zambian, and as a former Foreign Affairs Minister, my interpretation of Mr. Hichilema’s absence in Harare is a sign of disrespect for both SADC and host H.E. Mnangagwa given our warm shared history with SADC, DRC, and Zimbabwe,” Kalaba said.
“There is no excuse for Mr. HH to miss a meeting just 500 km across the border, when leaders from thousands of kilometers away made the effort to attend. A conflict in DRC could mean instability for the entire region. Mr. HH needs to take diplomacy seriously, set aside personal feelings, and think continentally.”
Kalaba further warned that the situation in eastern Congo could escalate, potentially drawing in Burundi, Rwanda, and other nations if SADC leaders fail to act swiftly.
“We are happy that the outcome of the emergency meeting, which Mr. HH missed, appears upbeat and that a solution could be found as the M23 rebels have been condemned,” Kalaba added.
So far, at least 700 people have died in eastern Congo as M23 rebels have seized control of Goma, a key strategic city, and have begun advancing toward South Kivu and Kisangani. The ongoing violence has displaced hundreds of Congolese, especially women and children.
Kalaba urged Zambia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to educate President Hichilema on the importance of regional relations at the level of heads of state and to avoid choosing friends in diplomacy.
Kalaba was also the first Zambian political leader to call upon SADC and other regional bodies to act swiftly and find a diplomatic solution to prevent the DRC-M23 conflict from escalating into a regional catastrophe that could lead to an influx of refugees into Zambia, along with the risk of illegal arms trafficking.
He further described it as shameful that President Hichilema is willing to undertake an extensive state visit to Japan with a large entourage but chose to snub a critical regional peace meeting just across the border.
“Mr. Hichilema is isolating himself from other regional leaders, but ultimately, it is Zambia that will pay the price for peace and diplomacy because he is leaving office next year,” Kalaba remarked.
Kalaba urged Hichilema to reflect on Zambia’s long-standing relationship with the DRC and Zimbabwe, emphasizing the significance of strengthening regional cooperation.
“How long is the Zambia-DRC border? About 2,000 km. And what is the value of maintaining a good relationship with President Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe?” Kalaba asked.
He concluded by urging President Hichilema to recognize that Zambia is not an island and that, while relations with Japan are important, direct engagement with SADC leaders is even more critical for regional stability.
SOURCE: Harry Kalaba, CF President