The rift between Zimbabwe and Zambia: …the making of Joseph Kalimbwe

In recent years, the relationship between Zimbabwe and Zambia has taken a turn for the worse, marked by growing tensions and diplomatic strain. While various factors have contributed to this rift, the role of Zambian citizen Joseph Kalimbwe, and his relentless attacks on the Zimbabwean President, Emmerson Mnangagwa and his Government, cannot be overlooked.

Kalimbwe is a vocal critic of President Mnangagwa and his administration, has used his social media platform, particularly his X account, to launch scathing attacks on the Zimbabwean Government. His posts have been riddled with insults, accusations, and inflammatory rhetoric, often crossing the lines of diplomacy and respect.
Kalimbwe is also making efforts to ensure that the Zimbabwe`s engagement and re-engagement policy is frustrated. On 07 October 2023, he posted on his X account indicating that Zimbabwe insults the United States of America (U.S.A) yet its military was being given training by that country. The post reads, "The Zimbabwe Military is receiving training from American Forces in Rwanda.  Wisdom entails that as a man you must never insult the hand that feeds you, particularly if you are poor!!!."
It is known that Zimbabwe has never insulted the US, but is only beseeching that country to remove the illegal sanctions that were imposed on it by that self-imposed big brother. One can deduce that Kalimbwe just wants to endear his country to the western country, whilst mudding the waters for Zimbabwe. All that Zimbabweans want is, the removal of the US-imposed sanctions because they have caused untold suffering to ordinary citizens. Even the SADC countries have come to realise that the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe are also having a bearing on their countries, hence they solidarity messages on 25 October, on the Anti-Sanctions Day.

The impact of Kalimbwe's utterances has been far-reaching, exacerbating existing tensions and hindering diplomatic efforts between the two countries. His inflammatory posts have fueled anti-Zimbabwean sentiment among some Zambians, while also provoking retaliatory responses from Zimbabwean officials.

On his X account on 02 October 2023, Kalimbwe posted, "The RTGS is the worst performing currency in the world. It's so useless even its own Government rejects it!!!." Kalimbwe's online attacks have not only strained relations between the two Governments, but have also spilled over into public discourse, creating a climate of mistrust and hostility. His actions have served to further divide the two nations, making reconciliation and cooperation increasingly difficult.

The ongoing tensions between Zimbabwe and Zambia have had a detrimental impact on bilateral relations, hindering cooperation on various fronts, including trade, security, and infrastructure development. The rift has also cast a shadow over regional unity and cooperation, potentially affecting the broader Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc.

Kalimbwe`s attacks have also showed that he is in cahoots with the opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) to effect regime change in Zimbabwe at the behest of their western handlers. On his X account on 10 October 2023, Kalimbwe demonstrated his relationship with the CCC leader who told him that he was being attacked by the enemy.

"I spoke on call this evening with my senior brother, Nelson Chamisa. As always, he is unmoved by unnecessary dirty the political enemy keeps throwing at him. Keep focused comrades!!1," said Kalimbwe.

Addressing the rift between Zimbabwe and Zambia requires a multi-pronged approach. Firstly, Zambia must take concrete steps to address Kalimbwe's actions, enforcing responsible online behavior and upholding diplomatic standards. This could involve measures such as content moderation, stricter regulations for social media usage, and legal action against hate speech and cyberbullying.

Secondly, both Zimbabwe and Zambia must engage in dialogue and diplomacy to bridge the divide. This could involve high-level meetings, joint commissions, and people-to-people exchanges to foster understanding and cooperation.

Finally, regional bodies such as SADC can play a crucial role in mediating the conflict and promoting reconciliation between Zimbabwe and Zambia. SADC can provide a neutral platform for dialogue and facilitate constructive engagement between the two parties.

Resolving the rift between Zimbabwe and Zambia is essential for the stability and prosperity of the region. Addressing the issue requires a collective effort from both countries, supported by regional and international actors, to promote responsible online behavior, uphold diplomatic norms, and foster dialogue and cooperation.