Tribal ‘Xenophobia’
Jubilee Centre June 9th, 2008
UPND president Hakainde Hichilema says that Barack Obama’s nomination as US Democratic presidential 
candidate should serve as a lesson to Zambians that petty politics about tribal xenophobia should be a thing of a past. Mr. Hichilema urged Zambians to seriously learn from political developments of the American people who have demonstrated that race or color was not the basis or measure of choosing genuine leaders.
Mr. Hichilema is mistaken on two assumptions. Firstly, he is incorrect to think that its petty politics for people to practice tribal xenophobia. Zambian politics and for that matter African politics are sustained by tribal xenophobia. Since gaining independence from the colonial leaders it has been African family loyalty and tribalism that has caused most political violence and economic stagnation. In most of our African countries, heads of state fill important positions with family members and people from their ethnic groups irrespective of their qualifications or character. Also history teaches us that slavery was abetted by powerful tribes in Africa.
Secondly, it is the Zambian political, church, community and civic leaders and chiefs who need to learn from the political developments of the American people rather than the ordinary Zambian people. Our leaders who occupy the centre of political, social and spiritual life in the nation have a greater responsibility to enable Zambians rise above backward and retrogressive tribal politics. As Mr. Hichilema pointed out, it was through leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, a Baptist minister who dedicated their lives to civil rights reform through non-violent civil disobedience that people like Obama have found prospects to rule the USA today. Tribal xenophobia is rife in the nations of Africa. To prevail over this scourge, it will take leaders who understand that leadership is about serving all people rather than self. Sadly, several African leaders often use power and institutions they control to promote their own individual and ethnic group interests.
Overcoming tribal xenophobia requires leaders who are committed to shape their followers. That is what
Obama did. He transformed millions of American people with racial ‘xenophobia’ into partners so that together they could make a dream come true. The church in Africa has a role to play in modeling what a national free from tribal xenophobia looks like by the following suggestions:
- The church needs to demonstrate the moral courage to direct people appropriately. Martin Luther King is a great example here.
- The church must show genuine love and care to all people.
- The church should follow the example of Christ’s servant and sacrificial leadership.
Is your church a place where all tribes are free from tribal xenophobia and petty politics?
Lawrence Temfwe
