By DR MARTIN MUSHUMBA –

SINCE ascending to power in August 2021, President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) has been categorical that Zambia will treat all economic blocs with utmost respect and engage them with mutual respect.
This is a deviation from the famous philosophy of non-alignment.
This multipolar alignment philosophy, as applied by Mr Hichilema, entails that Zambia shall align herself with all actors that share her interest.
This is an alignment to all actors that stand steadfast to support Zambia’s development agenda based on shared interest.
This is a smarter decision in contemporary political economy especially that many African leaders have had to make a painful decision of choosing either the West or an inclination towards the East in their development agenda.
The Multipolar alignment as pursued by Mr Hichilema recognises the fact that the world has evolved beyond the cold war times of a bipolar political economy and that new economic blocs had emerged.
In a more careful approach, Mr Hichilema holds that countries could still align themselves with all economic actors provided they mutually shape the terms of association.
In this regard, Mr Hichilema has re-modelled Zambia’s foreign policy and redefined a new dimension of international relations on the African continent.
As a result of his smart foreign policy, Mr Hichilema has decelerated the momentum that saw Zambia carelessly fall in the arms of China and sink into uncontrolled borrowing mode.
He has managed to help Zambia have back its voice in the bilateral relations forged by the two countries.
In simpler terms, Mr Hichilema has reshaped Zambia’s relationship with China giving her the voice to advance her interest in her pursuit for socio-economic prosperity.
In the midst of this, Mr Hichilema has ensured that the Sino-Zambia relations remain warm and buoyant.
Furthermore, President Hichilema has re-established Zambia’s relations with the West. Once again, the West have been given chance to invest in Zambia and cooperate with the country in many areas of common interest.
Suffice to mention that this is the relationship that had collapsed and became dysfunctional following the Patriotic Front (PF) Government’s failures on the governance scale which the West hold direly.
In a rather unfamiliar stance, Mr Hichilema has also exploited the significance of the Middle East bloc to Zambia’s development.
He has re-established new partnerships with among others, Saudi Arabia and the and United Arab Emirates and in the process wooing a significant amount of investment in energy, agriculture, mineral processing and construction.
Mr Hichilema has also warmed up to all of Zambia’s neighbours and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) regions detailing the need for stronger ties within the African continent.
He has approached the engagement on the continent with caution calling for Africa to democratise and build her legacy on respect for rule of law and human rights. His advocacy for human rights, peace and democratic reforms dates back from his time as an opposition leader.
Further, Mr Hichilema has seized every opportunity to call on fellow African leaders to enhance trade on the Africa continent by creating stronger and stable ties to support commerce, trade and investment opportunities.
Consequently, he has established himself as a uniting figure among African heads of State doing everything within his means to reposition Africa as being ready for investment.
As a result, Mr Hichilema has relentlessly championed the cause for enhanced international relations among African countries refusing to allow language, culture, and colonial orientation to dictate relations between and among countries.
This has seen him create a new dimension of bilateral and multilateral relations for Zambia with many African countries.
His rallying cry has been for African countries to collaborate in harnessing and processing of their vast natural resources to create jobs and wealth for their people and accelerate development.
Mr Hichilema’s works have inspired many other leaders on the continent who have all openly praised him for his exemplary leadership.
His admirers include presidents William Ruto of Kenya, Hage Geingob of Namibia, Joao Lourenco of Angola, Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, Felix Antoine Tshisekedi of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Lazarous McCarthy Chakwera of Malawi.
It is the depth of international relations and diplomacy which Mr Hakainde has brought to governance that has continued to earn him international recognition and appreciation in Africa and beyond.
He is simply a man providing leadership to his country and beyond.
The Author is a Public and Economic Policy Analyst.