Zambian Presidential Candidate Courts Israel
If you’re a promising young politician living on a continent rapidly shifting towards Islam, touting a pro-Israel stance isn’t the best public foot to put forward when looking to win an election.
But Zambian presidential hopeful Dr. Saviour Chishimba is putting caution aside as he kicks off his 2011 election campaign. He’s decrying Islamic terrorism — not a tough principle to support in the wake of the recent U.S. air scare and fear surrounding the current era of urban warfare — and he’s specifically targeting Hamas-sponsored attacks against Israel. In fact, Chishimba is building an election platform that includes promoting reinstatement of full Israel-Zambia ties cut in 1973 and partially reestablished earlier this decade.
A member of Zambia’s royal family and the country’s majority Bemba tribe, Chishimba hails from a legacy of politickers and freedom fighters, including relatives who fostered the country’s breakaway independence from Rhodesia in 1964.
Zambia’s political history has been sprinkled with corruption and cronyism, and 36-year-old Chishimba, a former MP and current leader of the United Progressive People’s Party, sees himself as the gateway to the future, the new face of hope, and the pathfinder of global relations.
Said Chishimba over a cup of hot tea with fresh mint in a Tel Aviv restaurant earlier this month: “The current leadership stands for outdated politics. It’s time to form international contacts with bodies and leaders who have a broader understanding of business and democracy. Like parliamentarians in the UK and business leaders in the U.S., I want to form different types of networks and get away from the old ways of thinking.”
What Chishimba specifically means is that he will weaken ties with Iran, and specifically Mahmoud Ahmedinejad. This currently prompt eyebrow-raising over the African country’s covert uranium trade.
“A pro-Iran, anti-Israel regime in Zambia is very dangerous,” Chishimba remarked. “Iran is determined to wipe Israel off the map and that can only be done with nuclear capability. Facilitating transport of uranium to Iran is very, very dangerous.” Despite a 2008 law implemented to control uranium mining and export, Zambia continues doing business with Iran.
B’chatzlahah (all the best) to Dr. Saviour Chishimba and his quest for the presidency of Zambia.
I hope that he is successful in being a friend to Israel. As the Bible says “Blessed are them that bless you and cursed are them that curse you. If he is successful in his overturs to Israel then you can bet on his nation being blessed
I am sorry but why is there a daily post about Israel? Our country is going down the tubes and all I am seeing are articles on a country fully capable taking care of itself.
We have a totalitarian in the Presidency who can truly effect our lives for generations to come.
This a smart man. Business is the first priority for a new budding nation. Security and friendship with Israel is paramount.
very brave man who really wants a productive, forward thinking, upwardly mobile, modern nation. i just pray he isn’t murdered. g-d bless the peacekeepers. i just pray he isn’t murdered as so many others have been.
Smart guy. Israel has always had an affinity with African countries. This has been damaged due to Muslim anti-Israel sentiments in many of the African countries. I’m sure that Israel will be happy to have a new friend in Africa and that it will be able to aid Zambia in the areas of agriculture, education, health, and even high-tech if it makes sense.
I don’t know very much about Zambia but looking over the wikipedia entry it seems like a place that hasn’t been hit quite as hard as other places in Africa by many of the endemic problems of Africa. Hopefully this can lead to a more successful country in the future.
Well, I think Dr. Chishimba really does care for his country. As we all know hate breeds hate. Israel Has always been a good partner as a country sharing knowledge and technology and if needed help and aid. Dr. Chishimba is really thinking of his country when he tries to strengthen the political ties with Israel, which as a leader that’s exactly what he should do – help those who are indeed, friends in need.
Dr. Chishimba is taking a great risk in this outreach to Israel. Is it the right thing to do? Absolutely yes. If he wants to have a healthy peaceful nation, Israel is a great example. All Israeli citizens have a vote in their government. That includes not only Jewish citizens, but also Christian and Muslim Israeli citizens. Muslim citizens have their own elected representatives in the government of Israel. Israel is a beacon example of a successful healthy economically and politically functioning free nation. Dr, Chishimba’s great risk is the fact that he will be a target for not only Muslim forces in the region, but also of Muslim sponsors ie. Russia, China. I also pray that he will not become a victim of assassination as Benizir Bhutto was in Pakistan.
This is very encouraging. The Honduras peoples’ resistance to leftist takeover, the Iranian peoples’ resistance to totalitarian control, and our own uprising of the American electorate to socialism, are trends that could result in the growth of world freedom. We have a long way to go and destruction stares us in the face, but the fight is appearing to be enjoined.
A bold step from Dr.Chishimba.Its time the young politicians stopped being used by the older generation for violence and non-productive acts.As a progressive young Zambian, I fully support the stance taken by Dr.Chishimba on Isreal,after all it is a country chosen by God.I only wish many progressive young politicians will join this great son of Africa.
I cannot thank you enough for the post.Really thank you! Much obliged.