Reading the news in Zambia lately as it regards the situation surrounding President Michael Sata can reasonably make one feel schizophrenic.
One minute we are hearing that he has arrived home to Lusaka but is very unwell, the next minute we are “reliably informed” the he never came back home, followed only hours later by some random, possibly old photos of President Sata celebrating his birthday in good health. Many media outlets aren’t bothering to report on the matter whatsoever, while others have selected their rumour of choice and are standing by it. Who knows what absurd tidbit will be released today?
Judging by this pattern, if you don’t like the news, just wait a few hours and the opposite will be reported.
It is a maddening, unending cycle of doubt and uncertainty, but one needn’t pay attention to the details at this point.
There are just two facts to keep in mind to maintain your sanity: 1) this confusion and proliferation of false rumours is part of a strategy on behalf of competing power factions within the ruling party, and 2) the goal of the strategy is purely to buy time in order to jockey for position in the succession battle.
If you remember that every rumour, whether or true or not, is part of these two points, it is the only way to navigate through this fog of confusion. If it makes you feel any better, you can be certain of just one thing – even high level individuals in the government are not clear about what is happening. They are just as confused as you are.
Until President Michael Sata makes a public appearance himself to explain what he has been doing for the past three weeks and what his intentions are to handle the question of succession, citizens must continue to insist for a medical review board and the discontinuation of the illegal Acting Presidency of Wynter Kabimba.
Everything else, frankly, should be ignored until we are provided with definitive official statements to restore trust in the state.
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