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Hakainde Hichilema: Difference between revisions
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He was one of the two main candidates in the [[Zambian presidential election, 2015|2015 election]], which he lost by a narrow margin of just 27,757 votes (1.66%) against the ruling party's candidate. Hichilema denounced the election as a [[Sham election|sham]] and urged his supporters to remain calm.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zambia/11367373/Zambia-opposition-cries-foul-as-Lungu-wins-presidential-election.html |title=Zambia opposition cries foul as Lungu wins presidential election |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date=24 January 2015 |website= |publisher= Telegraph |accessdate=25 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hh-zambia.com/blog/edgar-lungu-steals-election/ |title=Edgar Lungu steals election |last1=Hichilema |first1=Hakainde |date=24 January 2015 |website=hh-zambia.com |publisher= |accessdate=25 January 2015}}</ref> | He was one of the two main candidates in the [[Zambian presidential election, 2015|2015 election]], which he lost by a narrow margin of just 27,757 votes (1.66%) against the ruling party's candidate. Hichilema denounced the election as a [[Sham election|sham]] and urged his supporters to remain calm.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zambia/11367373/Zambia-opposition-cries-foul-as-Lungu-wins-presidential-election.html |title=Zambia opposition cries foul as Lungu wins presidential election |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date=24 January 2015 |website= |publisher= Telegraph |accessdate=25 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hh-zambia.com/blog/edgar-lungu-steals-election/ |title=Edgar Lungu steals election |last1=Hichilema |first1=Hakainde |date=24 January 2015 |website=hh-zambia.com |publisher= |accessdate=25 January 2015}}</ref> | ||
==Brutal Arrest & Treason Charge== | |||
Hichilema was brutally<ref>[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/04/23/catholic-bishops-condemn-hh-arrest-say-zambia-is-now-a-dictatorship/ Catholic Bishops said they deplore the massive, disproportionate and entirely unnecessary force with which the Police acted in apprehending Hakainde Hichilema]</ref>arrested on 11th April 2017<ref>[http://hsf.org.za/resource-centre/hsf-briefs/authoritarianism-in-zambia-1 On the night of the 11th of April 2017 the Zambian Police broke down the gate of Hakainde Hichilema’s compound and began their quest to arrest the country’s main opposition leader.]</ref> by President [[Edgar Lungu]]’s dictatorial regime<ref>[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/04/23/catholic-bishops-condemn-hh-arrest-say-zambia-is-now-a-dictatorship/ Catholic Bishops condemn HH arrest, say Zambia is now a dictatorship] Lusaka Times</ref><ref>[https://www.news24.com/Africa/News/malema-compares-zambia-leader-to-apartheid-rulers-20170730 Malema compares Zambia leader to apartheid rulers] News24</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40945825 Mr Lungu, meanwhile, faces accusations of growing authoritarianism.] BBC News</ref> and charged with [[Treason]] after he was accused of endangering the president's life after his motorcade allegedly refused to give way to the one transporting President Lungu,<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40945825 Mr Hichilema was arrested in April, accused of endangering the president's life after his motorcade allegedly refused to give way to the one transporting Mr Lungu.] BBC News. 16 August 2017. </ref>a case which many viewed as a minor traffic offense<ref>[https://http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40020950 Hakainde Hichilema has now become famous as the man facing treason charges for what appears to be a minor traffic offence]</ref> <ref>[http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-zambia-opposition-treason-2017-htmlstory.html The day road rage led to a treason charge in Zambia, as democracy falters in Africa] LA Times]</ref>and not one that could amount to Treason. Hichilema strongly denied the charge, which carries a maximum sentence of death penalty<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-40945825 He and his aides "strongly" denied the charge, which carries a sentence of at least 15 years. Those found guilty can also be sentenced to death.] BBC News. 16 August 2017.</ref> | |||
===Police misconduct during arrest=== | |||
The police used excessive force<ref>[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2018/02/27/police-used-excessive-force-arrest-hh-five-others-amnesty-international/ Zambia : Police used excessive force to arrest HH and five others-Amnesty International]</ref> to enter Hichilema’s residence damaging his home and property, beat up all his workers, stole colossal sums of money, jewelry, as well as underwear, shoes, speakers, blankets, carpets and food from the Kitchen and defecated on Mr Hichilema’s bed.<ref>[https://zambiareports.com/2017/04/12/cops-rob-millions-kwacha-hichilemas-residence-midnight-raid/ Cops Rob Millions Of Kwacha From Hichilema’s Residence In Midnight Raid</ref><ref>[http://www.zambianobserver.com/police-steal-food-from-hichilemas-house/ POLICE STEAL FOOD FROM HICHILEMA'S HOUSE]Zambian Observer</ref> | |||
[[Teargas]] canisters were thrown inside Hichilema’s home<ref> [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-39568881 Mr Hichilema was detained after armed police raided his family home, during which teargas canisters were thrown inside]</ref>gassing him out including his asthmatic wife and children<ref>[ https://zambiareports.com/2017/04/12/cops-rob-millions-kwacha-hichilemas-residence-midnight-raid/ Police on Monday night raided Hakainde’s house in New Kasama gassing him out including his wife and children]</ref> who collapsed several times due to inhaling Tear Gas. | |||
===Condemnation of arrest=== | |||
Hichilema’s arrest was widely condemned. The [[United States]] <ref>[https://www.zambiawatchdog.com/usa-denounces-brutal-arrest-of-hichilema/ USA denounces brutal arrest of Hichilema]Zambian Watchdog</ref>the European Union<ref>[https://zambiareports.com/2017/04/14/us-eu-condemn-hichilema-arrest-treason-charge/ US, EU Condemn Hichilema Arrest, Treason Charge | Zambia Reports]</ref> and the European Parliament<ref>[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20170509IPR73947/human-rights-h-hichilema-in-zambia-dr-gudina-in-ethiopia-south-sudan Human rights: H. Hichilema in Zambia, Dr Gudina in Ethiopia, South Sudan | News | European Parliament]</ref>denounced the arrest. The [[Africa Liberal Network]] condemned the arrest as an attempt by President Lungu to silence dissent and opposition<ref>[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/04/18/hhs-arrest-unacceptable-africa-liberal-network/ Zambia : HH’s arrest is unacceptable- Africa Liberal Network]</ref>. The Catholic bishops strongly condemned the arrest and said Zambia had become a dictatorship under President Edgar Lungu<ref>[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/04/23/catholic-bishops-condemn-hh-arrest-say-zambia-is-now-a-dictatorship/ Catholic Bishops condemn HH arrest, say Zambia is now a dictatorship]</ref>. [[Julius Malema]], the leader of South Africa’s EFF party, accused Zambia's president Edgar Lungu of apartheid style repression for detaining Hichilema on treason charges<ref>[https://www.news24.com/Africa/News/malema-compares-zambia-leader-to-apartheid-rulers-20170730 Malema compares Zambia leader to apartheid rulers] News24</ref>and called president Lungu a “Coward”<ref>[https://www.news24.com/Africa/News/malema-compares-zambia-leader-to-apartheid-rulers-20170730 "Lungu, you are a coward. Allow the opposition to oppose you. If you are a true leader, you will defeat them properly not through arrest," Malema said] News24</ref>. [[Mmusi Maimane]], the leader of South Africa’s DA party, who was denied entry into Zambia to visit Hichilema in Jail<ref>[https://www.enca.com/south-africa/maimane-prevented-from-entering-zambia Maimane prevented from entering Zambia]</ref>strongly denounced the trumped up charges against Hichilema.<ref>[https://www.enca.com/south-africa/maimane-prevented-from-entering-zambia Maimane had strongly denounced the trumped up charges against Hichilema, and had condemned the African National Congress government for not yet taking a stand against his treason charges.] eNCA</ref> | |||
===Time in Jail=== | |||
Hichilema said in an interview on HARDtalk that during his time in prison he was held in solitary confinement for 8 days without food, water, light or visitation, was tortured by having his private parts pepper sprayed and accused president Lungu of having tried to kill him<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/n3ct2km6 BBC World News - HARDtalk, Hakainde Hichilema]</ref> | |||
His wife Mutinta was turned away by prison officials when she took food for him. | |||
Hichilema’s arrest was the subject of the episode of [[Al Jazeera]]'s [[The Stream]] tv program titled ''Is Zambia’s democracy in danger''<ref>[stream.aljazeera.com/story/201705301734-0025446]</ref> which aired on 30th May 2017. | |||
===High Profile Jail visitations=== | |||
Zambia's first president [[Kenneth Kaunda]] was turned away when he visited Hichilema in Prison <ref>[http://www.zambianobserver.com/kk-turned-away-from-visiting-hichilema-in-prison-treason-case-now-underway/ Kenneth Kaunda Turned Away From Visiting Hichilema In Prison]</ref>. | |||
[[Mmusi Maimane]], leader of the [[Democratic Alliance (South Africa)]] was also turned away when he came to Zambia to attend Hichilema's court appearance, he was not allowed to disembark from the plane by state agents, had his phone confiscated and was roughed up <ref>[https://www.enca.com/south-africa/maimane-prevented-from-entering-zambia Maimane prevented from entering Zambia]</ref>. This prompted South Africa's Foreign Ministry to summon Zambia's Ambassador to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba to explain the actions of the Zambian regime. | |||
Former President of Nigeria, [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] visited Hichilema in Prison <ref>[https://mwebantu.com/2017/08/05/former-nigerian-president-obasanjo-goes-to-visit-hh-in-prison/comment-page-1/ Former Nigerian President Obasanjo goes to visit HH in prison – Mwebantu]</ref>. | |||
Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Baroness [[Patricia Scotland]] visited Hichilema in Prison twice<ref>[http://thecommonwealth.org/media/news/secretary-general-meets-zambian-president-and-opposition-leader Secretary-General meets Zambian president and opposition leader | The Commonwealth]</ref>. | |||
===State of Emergency=== | |||
While Hichilema was in Jail, President Lungu imposed a state of emergency<ref>[https://qz.com/1022493/zambias-president-declares-state-of-emergency-and-sparked-authoritarian-rule-concerns/ Zambia's president declares state of emergency and sparked authoritarian rule concerns — Quartz]</ref>, a move critics saw as an effort to tighten his grip on power<ref>[https://www.news24.com/Africa/News/malema-compares-zambia-leader-to-apartheid-rulers-20170730 Zambian President Edgar Lungu this month imposed a state of emergency, a move critics see as an effort to tighten his grip on power] News24</ref> | |||
===Protests=== | |||
Protests broke out in Zambia, South Africa<ref>[https://zambiareports.com/2017/05/04/pockets-protesters-send-release-hh-message-global-event-durban/]</ref> and the United Kingdom<ref>[https://www.zambiawatchdog.com/zambians-in-uk-protest-hh-persecution/]</ref> demanding the release of Hichilema and condemning Edgar Lungu’s authoritarian rule and deteriorating human rights in Zambia. | |||
===Release from Prison=== | |||
Jubilant celebrations broke out throughout Zambia when Hichilema was released from Prison on 16th August 2017 and scores of people lined up the roads of Lusaka to have a glimpse of Hichilema as his motorcade left prison and Hichilema emerged through the Sunroof of his vehicle to wave at the cheering crowds<ref>[https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-08-17-zambia-hakainde-hichilema-released-from-jail-to-jubilant-reception-more-popular-than-ever/ Zambia: Hakainde Hichilema released from jail to jubilant reception, more popular than ever]Daily Maverick</ref>. | |||
Former UN Secretary General [[Kofi Annan]], congratulated the Zambian authorities for dropping the treason charges against Hichilema and releasing him from Prison <ref>[https://www.modernghana.com/news/795970/statement-by-kofi-annan-following-the-release-of-hakainde-hi.html Statement By Kofi Annan Following The Release Of Hakainde Hichilema]</ref>. | |||
Thanksgiving Prayers were held to celebrate Hichilema’s release from jail at the Cathedral of Holy Cross in Lusaka on 29th August 2017 and Hichilema was present at the event which drew large crowds and was aired live on Television. The event was originally scheduled to take place the previous week on 24th August but was blocked by heavily armed state police who sealed off the venue. | |||
Hichilema became more popular after his release and was awarded the Africa Freedom Award in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was invited to speak at Catham House in London and was also invited to speak in South Africa to DA Members Parliament<ref>[http://www.muvitv.com/2017/08/hh-addresses-lawmakers-in-south-africa/]</ref> and was featured on BBC’s HARDtalk. | |||
A book about Hichilema’s time in Prison called ''Hakainde Hichilema's Prison Diary'' was released on 29th September 2017 by Journalist Fredrick Misebezi<ref>[http://www.zambianobserver.com/hakainde-hichilemas-prison-diary-book-released-on-the-market-and-selling-at-a-very-fast-rate/ Hakainde Hichilema's Prison Diary (Book) Released On The Market And Selling At A Very Fast Rate!!!]</ref>. Hichilema endorsed the book and urged the public to read it<ref>[https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/10/01/book-hhs-127-day-stay-jail/ And Mr Hichilema has endorsed the book and urged the public to read it]</ref>. | |||
==Interviews== | ==Interviews== | ||
