President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia has issued a warning to potential coup plotters not to jeopardize the stability and democratic rule of the southern African country.
Although the reason for his warning is unclear, it was issued in the wake of several recent coups in Francophone Africa and domestic complaints about the rising cost of living.
“To colleagues that think, we are timid by being kind and that they can break the laws and entertain thoughts of illegal takeover of government including undemocratic coup d’état… we are coming for you,” he said.
Zambia has never been under military rule since attaining independence in 1964, despite numerous failed coup attempts.
Mr. Hichilema, who won a landslide victory over an incumbent president in 2021, made the remarks on a visit to Kanyama, a suburb of the capital, Lusaka.
He said the government was taking action to address the issue of the high cost of food.
Following his visit to Kanyama on Monday evening, the president posted on Facebook that this included ensuring millers charged a fair price and preventing Zambian maize from being smuggled into other countries.
Source-BBC
