Let’s be blunt. Who in their right frame of mind sues a neighbouring country, a regional ally, demanding the dead body of someone widely recognised as your political adversary? Whose legal team thought this was a sound move? More importantly, who is actually steering this ship of state? Because, based on recent events, Zambia appears to be floating leaderless.

President Hichilema’s absence from key public events in recent days has fuelled speculation and deepened anxiety. Is he missing in action or simply detached from the daily  affairs of governance? Either way, it’s a terrifying prospect for a democracy that hinges on visible, accountable leadership.

This embarrassing climbdown confirms what legal and diplomatic observers had suspected all along, the lawsuit was a political misfire, a diplomatic own goal, and a legal blunder of epic proportions. It wasn’t merely barking up the wrong tree, it was sawing off the very branch Zambia stands on in terms of regional diplomacy and rule of law.

That such a lawsuit was even entertained, let alone initiated, points to a large void in the president’s advisory machinery. There appears to be a dearth of seasoned legal counsel and experienced foreign policy advisors in Hichilema’s inner circle. Instead, the President is surrounded by praise singers who confuse sycophancy for strategy and applause for acumen. These aren’t isolated missteps. They’re warning sirens of a deeper crisis in leadership.

He highlighted that four judges appointed to the Constitutional Court by President Hichilema Mweetwa Shilimi, Kennedy Mulife, Mudford Mwandenga, and Maria Mapani-Kawimbe have significantly influenced recent legal decisions with troubling implications. Of these four, Sishuwa noted that three (Shilimi, Mulife, and Mwandenga) presided over the controversial case surrounding Bill 7 and saw absolutely nothing unconstitutional about it.

In stark contrast, all four judges who opposed the Bill’s legality were not appointed by Hichilema. The implications here are hard to ignore: are we witnessing the quiet but deliberate political capture of the judiciary?

Sishuwa further focused on Shilimi and noted that The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) opposed his appointment to the Constitutional Court on the grounds that he lacked the required constitutional or human rights law background. Indeed, his expertise lies in corporate and commercial law. Even more concerning, he is currently studying for a master’s degree in constitutional law at the University of Lusaka. Why would someone pursue training in a field he supposedly already mastered well enough to judge the highest constitutional cases in the land?

If the UPND is truly out of its depth, and all evidence suggests it is, then it’s time to face the hard truth. Hand the reins of government to someone competent, pragmatic, and patriotic. Zambia cannot afford to be a playground for amateur hour. Our democracy, our regional standing, and our national dignity are all on the line.

Because let’s be clear: the presidency is not a trophy. It’s a sacred trust. And right now, that trust is hanging by a thread.