HH invited to speak at the prestigious Chatham House
Hakainde Hichilema
Zambia’s leading opposition figure Hakainde Hichilema has been invited to speak at The Royal Institute of International Affairs, commonly known as The Chatham House, in London, UK, on Tuesday, October 31st.
The UPND leader is expected to discuss his party’s priorities, support required for opposition political parties and their role in preserving Zambia’s democracy.
Hichilema has in the past faced criticism from his detractors for allegedly speaking ill of his country on foreign soil.
“We wish to announce to you that we been invited to speak at The Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, UK, commonly known as The Chatham House next Tuesday 31st October,2017. We have been specifically asked to discuss three things i.e. UPND priorities, support required for opposition political parties and the role of the parties in ensuring that Zambia’s democracy is preserved,” Hichilema wrote on his Facebook page today.
“You may be aware that The Chatham House was named the top non-U.S. think tank by Foreign Policy Magazine. In the University of Pennsylvania’s 2015 Global Think Tanks Report, Chatham House is ranked the second most influential think tank in the world after the Brookings Institution.”
An overview of the event posted on https://www.chathamhouse.org/event/political-opposition-and-policy-alternatives-zambia reads: “In Zambia’s 2016 national election, the Patriotic Front (PF) was re-elected by a narrow margin. The PF’s Edgar Lungu secured 50.35 per cent of the vote according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia, narrowly avoiding a second round, while his main rival, Hakainde Hichilema, won 47.67 per cent. The UPND, led by Mr Hichilema, alleges electoral fraud and has challenged the result in the courts and through direct protests. Mr Hichilema was imprisoned for 100 days. At this meeting, Hakainde Hichilema will discuss his UPND priorities, how to strengthen opposition parties and their role in Zambia’s democratic future.”
Chatham House is an independent policy institute whose mission is to help build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world.