Zambia: election under tension between corruption, violence and economic crisis.

Zambia’s general elections are hotter than ever, and the spectacle offered by the political actors resembles a comedy-drama that is hard to put down. As the country prepares to elect its president and members of parliament, corruption, political violence and economic crises are in full swing, transforming the election into a veritable soap opera with twists and turns. And it is in this quagmire that one wonders: who among these actors will be able to land the best role?

Corruption: The Elephant in the Room

Let's talk about it! Corruption is an endemic evil that is eating away at Zambia like a termite in already rotten wood. Accusations are flying from all sides, and the political parties are engaged in an accusatory ping-pong game. On one side, former President Edgar Lungu is being pinned for lucrative deals while his successor, Hakainde Hichilema, is promising the moon while himself being criticized. How can we believe that one of them will have the courage to really fight this multi-headed hydra without burning their wings?

Political violence, a national sport

And what about the political violence that is shaking the country like an electoral frenzy? The clashes between supporters of different camps recall the darkest hours of Zambian history. Gathering places are transformed into real battlefields, where the projectiles are not only ideological. Unfortunately, Zambia's image on the international scene is tarnishing a little more each day, while politicians are struggling to pacify their troops. Enough to question the democratic future of a country that is nevertheless full of hope.

An economy at the end of its rope

As politicians squabble over who has the most solutions to offer, the economic reality is chilling. Rising prices, unemployment and inflation weigh down Zambians’ daily lives like a dead weight on their shoulders. Between broken promises and economic mirages, the population feels abandoned, lost in the quicksand of a system that is spiralling out of control. Whose turn is it to turn things around?

As Zambia prepares for a crucial election, it is essential that voters keep their eyes open and not be fooled by inflammatory but empty rhetoric. Between the fear of rising violence, the spectre of corruption and economic pain, the challenges facing the next leader are as muscular as a good deadlift. It is up to each voter to choose their champion wisely for this decisive fight.