The Editor Zambia
Stephen Kampyongo is right that peace and unity are essential for Zambia’s development.
But the question Kampyongo and his colleagues in the opposition must answer is simple: what kind of unity are they advocating, and what practical contribution are they prepared to make towards building it? 
President Hakainde Hichilema has already made it clear that the election period is over and that Zambians, regardless of their political choices, share a common destiny.
That is a statesmanlike message. But unity cannot mean that the Government must abandon its development agenda to appease political opponents, nor can it mean that those who lost an election should be given a veto over the policies of an administration that Zambians elected to govern.
Democracy allows the opposition to criticise the government, scrutinise expenditure, and propose alternatives.
It does not entitle opposition politicians to turn every government initiative into a political contest, manufacture grievances, or obstruct progress simply because the credit might go to the ruling party.
Kampyongo, as a senior opposition figure, should therefore demonstrate that unity is more than a convenient phrase to invoke when addressing the President’s speech.
He should explain how his party intends to support policies that create jobs, expand electricity generation, increase agricultural production, attract investment, and improve the living standards of ordinary Zambians.
Unity without responsibility is empty rhetoric. For decades, Zambia’s development ambitions have been undermined by political rivalries, policy inconsistency, corruption, and the tendency of successive administrations to abandon or rebrand initiatives introduced by their predecessors.
The country cannot afford to continue along that path. The Grow Zambia Agenda must be judged by its capacity to expand production, strengthen the economy, and create opportunities for citizens, not by whether its successes benefit one political party more than another.
President Hichilema’s emphasis on moving from economic stabilisation to growth recognises that restoring macroeconomic stability is only part of the task.
Zambians now want to see more productive industries, reliable electricity, better agricultural yields, increased exports, and employment opportunities for young people. These objectives require political stability, but they also require discipline, investment, effective public institutions, and a willingness to confront corruption.
The opposition should welcome that challenge and offer constructive alternatives where it disagrees. It should not merely endorse unity in principle while leaving the public to guess what practical contribution it intends to make.
The reference to Britain’s support for the Grow Zambia Agenda also deserves attention. British High Commissioner Rebecca Terzeon has indicated that the United Kingdom is prepared to work with Zambia on trade, investment, mining, energy, and infrastructure.
Her remarks underline an important point: investors look for stability, predictable policies, credible institutions, and confidence that agreements will be respected.
But democratic space also comes with responsibilities because political leaders must respect the Constitution, the courts, and the rights of other citizens.
Criticism should be based on evidence, and political disagreements should be pursued through peaceful and lawful means.
Vice-President Mutale Nalumango’s appeal for Zambians to look beyond political differences is therefore appropriate. Yet the responsibility for national cohesion cannot rest on the government alone.
Opposition political leaders, civil society, the media, religious institutions, and traditional leaders must all contribute to an environment in which political competition does not become a permanent national crisis.
Kampyongo should, therefore, go beyond welcoming the President’s call for peace. He should help translate that call into constructive parliamentary engagement, credible policy alternatives, and a commitment to national development.
President Hichilema has set out his priorities. The government must deliver on them, and the opposition must hold it accountable without obstructing progress for partisan reasons.
