The Peoples Pact Initiative has expelled its presidential flag bearer, Fred M’membe, and withdrawn its endorsement of his candidature after declaring a vote of no confidence in his leadership. The organisation also expelled its vice president, Robert Sichinga, following separate disciplinary proceedings conducted under its internal governance framework.
According to the organisation, the decisions were communicated through two separate notices dated July 3, 2026, both signed by secretary Joseph Chishimba. The notices stated that the expulsions and related actions were taken in accordance with the provisions of the People’s Pact charter.
In the notice addressed to M’membe, the organisation said it had formally withdrawn its confidence in him as its presidential flag bearer and immediately revoked its endorsement of his candidature. It stated that his nomination under the Peoples Pact had been terminated and no longer had any force or effect within the organisation’s governance framework.
M’membe was directed to surrender all property, records, documents and other assets belonging to the organisation that remained in his possession. The notice also warned that any public statements or actions intended to alter, disregard or override the People’s Pact charter or its decisions would not be recognised. It further stated that the organisation reserved the right to pursue disciplinary and legal action where necessary.
A separate notice informed Sichinga that he had also been expelled following disciplinary proceedings. He was instructed to immediately stop presenting himself as a member of the organisation or exercising any rights and privileges associated with membership.
The notice further directed Sichinga to surrender all organisational property, documents, records and assets under his control. It also stated that any attempt to challenge or undermine the organisation’s decisions outside the provisions of its charter would not be recognised and that the People’s Pact reserved the right to seek appropriate disciplinary action and legal redress.
Neither notice outlined the specific reasons behind the vote of no confidence in M’membe or disclosed the disciplinary findings that led to Sichinga’s expulsion. The organisation also did not publish the relevant provisions of its charter governing disciplinary proceedings or expulsions alongside the notices.
M’membe has continued campaigning as the presidential candidate of the Socialist Party despite the People’s Pact decision. During recent campaign engagements, he urged Zambians to remain committed to their principles even when doing so meant standing alone.
“Integrity should take precedent over popularity. Doing the right thing isn’t always about winning a crowd; it’s about going to sleep at night knowing you honoured your conscience,” M’membe said.
He added that many of history’s most transformative leaders were initially unpopular before their contributions were recognised, arguing that genuine leadership often required the courage to act against prevailing opinion.
It was not immediately clear whether those remarks were made before or after the People’s Pact issued the expulsion notices.
The People’s Pact has not announced a replacement presidential flag bearer following the withdrawal of its endorsement of M’membe. Neither M’membe nor Sichinga had publicly responded to the notices at the time of publication.
Several opposition parties and political alliances have continued adjusting their internal structures and political arrangements ahead of the August 13 general election. The People’s Pact’s charter provisions governing disciplinary procedures and expulsions were not published in full alongside the notices, leaving the detailed basis for the two decisions undisclosed.
