Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema shocked many across the region by not attending the SADC Organ Troika Summit in Harare in person. Instead, he addressed the gathering via video link from Lusaka. While no official explanation was given for his absence, the move has stirred political discussion and highlighted ongoing tensions between Zambia and Zimbabwe—tensions that have only deepened since Zimbabwe’s controversial 2023 elections.
Hichilema, the outgoing chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, handed over his role to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan. This organ is a critical arm of SADC, responsible for protecting peace, democracy, and stability in southern Africa. The chairmanship handover is usually a moment of high-level solidarity—but this time, the absence of one of the region’s key leaders was impossible to ignore.
Lusaka and Harare are barely 30 minutes apart by air, making Hichilema’s no-show even more conspicuous. His decision to stay away comes after a year marked by diplomatic tension between the two neighbours. Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU PF, has repeatedly accused Hichilema of backing opposition forces in Zimbabwe and interfering in its internal affairs—a claim Hichilema has not directly responded to but seems to acknowledge through his diplomatic distance.
Despite not being present physically, Hichilema’s speech was anything but soft. He made clear that democracy, peace, and security remain central to SADC’s future, and he highlighted the progress made during his tenure—particularly the role the organ played in strengthening democratic processes and mediation across the region. This was an indirect but unmistakable reference to the controversial SADC Election Observer Mission report on Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections, which concluded the polls were not free, fair, or credible.
That report, authored by Hichilema’s appointed envoy, Nevers Mumba, remains a sore point for the Zimbabwean government. It cast a long shadow over President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s re-election and led to a regional diplomatic rift. Mnangagwa’s government has since tried to discredit the report and remove it from SADC records—without success. Now, even with Mnangagwa himself taking over as SADC chair, the report stands as a thorn in his side. Hichilema’s absence may be read as a powerful silent protest: a refusal to validate Mnangagwa’s disputed leadership with his presence.
Still, Hichilema’s speech focused on the future. He urged continued unity and called for deeper commitment to regional peace. He passed the torch to President Hassan with confidence, expressing hope that Tanzania would continue to uphold democratic values in the region. Hassan, known for her calm leadership and diplomatic finesse, now inherits a politically sensitive role at a crucial time.
Hichilema’s virtual address may have lacked the symbolic weight of an in-person handover, but his message landed with force. In fact, his absence spoke louder than words. It reminded leaders across the region that respect for democratic processes matters—and that Zimbabwe remains under the microscope, despite all attempts by ZANU PF to whitewash its flawed election.
As the regional spotlight shifts to President Hassan, the question remains: will she have the courage to continue what Hichilema started? Or will SADC retreat once again into silence when faced with repression and fraud?
Whatever happens next, one thing is clear—Hichilema’s quiet stand in Lusaka sent a loud and unmissable message across Harare. The struggle for regional accountability continues.