Zambia Stone-Hurling Anger: President’s Response

Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text, focusing on the key points and criticisms leveled against Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema:

Main Points:

* ⁤ Economic Challenges: Zambia is facing significant economic hardship, notably power shortages due to a recent ‌drought impacting hydroelectricity generation.The president acknowledges ​this as a major‌ crisis.
* Shift in Political Approach: Hichilema, once a champion of democratic values in opposition, is now facing accusations of authoritarian tendencies while in power.
* ‌ Controversial Cybersecurity Law: He ⁣has been criticized for ‌enacting the Cybersecurity Law, which opponents fear allows for broad‌ state surveillance and suppression of dissent. Critics say he’s using it likewise as his predecessors.
* Constitutional Review & Constituency Increase: Hichilema is pushing for a constitutional review that includes increasing the number of parliamentary constituencies. He previously opposed a similar plan when in​ opposition,‌ arguing it was ‌a power grab by the previous president. He now justifies ​it as necessary ⁢for equitable resource distribution.
* ⁣ Growing Opposition & Concerns about the Election: There’s growing opposition to his policies, including planned national ​prayers to ⁤protest the constituency increase. The President⁣ appears sensitive to this opposition as next year’s election​ approaches.

Specific criticisms:

* ⁤ Repressive Laws: Accusations ⁤of ⁤using laws (like sedition, criminal libel, hate ​speech) to arrest critics and political opponents, mirroring the tactics he previously ⁢condemned.
* Hypocrisy: He abolished a law protecting the ‍president from defamation but is now allegedly using other laws to silence dissent.
* ⁣ Reversal of Stance: ⁤ Changing his position on the constitutional review and constituency increase, leading to accusations of political maneuvering.

In essence, the article portrays a president struggling to balance⁢ economic challenges with maintaining democratic principles, and facing accusations of hypocrisy and authoritarianism as he consolidates power.