Former President Lungu Criticizes Hichilema Over Zambia’s Power Blackout

Zambia recently experienced a nationwide blackout that disrupted critical services, prompting sharp criticism from former President Edgar Lungu, who pointed fingers at his successor, Hakainde Hichilema.

The power outage, which also impacted neighboring Zimbabwe, has been attributed to declining water levels at Lake Kariba, a key resource for hydroelectric power generation in the region.

Zambia’s power utility, ZESCO Limited, reported the blackout occurred shortly after 8 PM on Sunday, marking one of the most significant system disturbances in recent years.

In a scathing statement, Lungu accused Hichilema’s administration of mismanaging ZESCO, claiming it had been reduced to a shadow of its former self due to political interference.

The former president alleged that skilled personnel were ousted from ZESCO after the 2021 elections, leaving the company ill-equipped to handle the nation’s energy demands.

He described the blackout as evidence of what he termed “New Doom government” policies, blaming the current leadership for undermining the utility’s operational capabilities.

Lungu further suggested that the blackout might have led to preventable deaths in hospitals, as life-saving equipment failed due to the lack of power.

Recalling his administration, Lungu noted load-shedding during his tenure rarely exceeded 17 hours, contrasting this with what he described as prolonged outages under Hichilema’s government.

The former president expressed concern over the impact of extended blackouts on households, businesses, and critical facilities like hospitals, where uninterrupted power is vital.

He criticized the current leadership for failing to prioritize essential services, questioning the cost of such lapses in terms of lives and livelihoods lost.

The blackout highlights Zambia’s ongoing struggles with energy security, compounded by regional challenges affecting hydroelectric power generation at shared resources like Lake Kariba.

ZESCO’s operations have been under scrutiny, with calls for greater transparency and accountability amid growing frustrations over power shortages across the country.

Critics argue that systemic issues within Zambia’s energy sector require urgent attention to prevent further disruptions and mitigate the economic fallout from prolonged outages.

The impact of the blackout has reignited debate over the sustainability of Zambia’s reliance on hydroelectric power, as climate change exacerbates water shortages in the region.

Hichilema’s government has yet to respond directly to Lungu’s accusations, but the blackout underscores the pressing need for durable solutions to Zambia’s energy crisis.

As Zambia grapples with these challenges, the political fallout from the blackout continues to unfold, reflecting deeper tensions over the country’s energy policy and governance.