By Brian Matambo | February 5, 2026

Harry Kalaba has accused the Patriotic Front of undermining opposition unity through what he described as an insistence on dominance rather than partnership, during remarks aired on Emmanuel Mwamba Verified.

Speaking as president of Citizens First, Kalaba rejected assertions that his party resists opposition cooperation. He said Citizens First has pursued engagement with multiple opposition actors and that he personally held discussions aimed at identifying shared ground for collaboration. According to Kalaba, those efforts encountered repeated expectations from PF that any alliance must be anchored by its leadership.

Kalaba said the expectations included PF providing the presidential candidate, exercising control over the alliance secretariat, and setting the terms of cooperation. He said such arrangements reduced other parties to supporting roles and framed alliances as vehicles for restoring PF to prominence rather than partnerships among equals. Kalaba stated that Citizens First was not established to serve as an escort for another political organisation.

He linked this approach to the collapse of earlier opposition formations, citing the United Kwacha Alliance as an example. Kalaba said that alliance faltered after actors associated with the former ruling party sought to impose leadership structures and operational terms. He said unity required shared values, ideological alignment, and arrangements that strengthened all participating parties.

Kalaba’s remarks were delivered against the backdrop of recent by-elections that have shaped opposition calculations. In the Chawama parliamentary by-election and the Kasama mayoral contest, Citizens First placed third. The Patriotic Front did not field candidates directly in either race. Instead, PF worked with the Forum for Democracy and Development under the Tonse Alliance.

In Chawama, the FDD candidate won the parliamentary seat. In Kasama, the FDD candidate finished second in the mayoral race. In both contests, FDD candidates outperformed Citizens First. The results were recorded in races where PF publicly supported allied candidates rather than contesting in its own name.

The outcomes have been cited by PF supporters as evidence of the party’s continued organisational reach and voter mobilisation capacity. Party structures and loyalty networks appeared to consolidate support behind allied candidates, even in the absence of a PF-branded candidate on the ballot. The results added weight to PF’s position in discussions over opposition coordination.

Citizens First has pointed to its growth since formation, citing expanded national visibility and increased participation across constituencies. The party has maintained that its organisational development remains ongoing and that electoral performance should be assessed within that context. Kalaba said Citizens First’s approach to unity prioritised equitable participation and durable cooperation.

The differing positions reflect contrasting views within the opposition on how coalitions should be structured. One view places emphasis on parity among partners and collective leadership. Another view prioritises demonstrated electoral reach and mobilisation capacity as the basis for leadership within alliances. The positions have informed negotiations and public exchanges among opposition leaders.

Kalaba’s statements reiterated Citizens First’s stance that alliances should not weaken newer parties through absorption or predetermined hierarchies. He said any unity arrangement must recognise the autonomy of participating parties and avoid frameworks that centralise authority in one organisation.

The recent by-elections have featured prominently in public commentary around opposition strategy. In both Chawama and Kasama, PF’s indirect participation through the Tonse Alliance influenced the distribution of votes. The contests have been referenced in ongoing discussions about alliance models, leadership selection, and campaign coordination ahead of future electoral cycles.

Opposition leaders from multiple parties have continued to engage through public platforms and private consultations. No formal agreement on a unified opposition framework has been announced following the recent contests. Discussions on cooperation, candidate selection, and alliance structures remain ongoing within the opposition landscape.

Zambia and Ghana are set to agree on a visa waiver arrangement as the two countries intensify efforts to strengthen business, trade, and broader economic cooperation, coinciding with the State Visit of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama to Lusaka.

The visa-free travel agreement is expected to remove longstanding movement barriers between the two countries and serve as a practical foundation for increased commercial engagement, investment flows, and private-sector partnerships. The development comes as President Mahama arrived in Zambia yesterday, 4 February 2026, at the invitation of President Hakainde Hichilema, for a three-day State Visit focused on economic cooperation and regional integration.

Ahead of the visit, Ghana’s Foreign Minister disclosed that the visa waiver was a direct presidential directive and a central condition attached to the trip. The Minister stated that President Mahama instructed officials to ensure the agreement was concluded before travelling to Lusaka, stressing the importance of free movement in advancing trade, investment, and people-to-people interaction between the two countries.

According to the Minister, technical discussions initially encountered challenges linked to differences in passport classifications. Ghana operates diplomatic, service, and ordinary passports, while Zambia recognises diplomatic and ordinary passports. Zambian officials initially raised concerns over alignment, but Ghana’s delegation maintained that the matter had received clear presidential direction.

The Minister explained that negotiations continued under high-level guidance, extending late into the night on the eve of the visit. At approximately 11.30 p.m., the Zambian side sought final presidential approval, which was granted, allowing the visa waiver agreement to be finalised.

With the agreement secured, Ghana has reached its fifteenth visa waiver arrangement since President Mahama was sworn into office. The Minister described the deal as a significant step toward easing travel for business operators, officials, and citizens, while reinforcing economic cooperation between the two countries.

President Mahama arrived in Lusaka accompanied by his wife, Lordina Mahama, and a senior government delegation. He was received at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport by Ghana’s High Commissioner to Zambia, Madam Elizabeth Nyantakyi. He arrived aboard a special aircraft following his participation in the 2026 Global Governance Summit in Dubai.

During the visit, the two Heads of State are scheduled to hold bilateral talks at State House, where discussions are expected to provide strategic direction on priority areas of cooperation. These include agricaulture and food security, energy, mining value addition, waste management, the circular economy, commodities exchange systems, skills development, and emerging technologies such as fintech.

President Mahama is also expected to address Zambia’s National Assembly, providing an opportunity to engage legislators on shared democratic values and economic integration. In addition, he will attend the Zambia–Ghana Business Forum alongside President Hichilema, aimed at promoting trade and investment opportunities within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

A Ghana–Zambia Business Dialogue, co-chaired by the two Presidents, is also scheduled as part of the visit. The dialogue is intended to showcase Ghana’s digital technologies and fintech solutions to Zambian businesses and government institutions, fostering partnerships and knowledge exchange.

The visit further includes a wreath-laying ceremony at Embassy Park in honour of Zambia’s fallen heroes and an engagement with the Ghanaian community in Lusaka. President Mahama is expected to depart Zambia immediately after completing his official programme.

Zambian authorities have described the visit as a reciprocal engagement following President Hichilema’s State Visit to Ghana in July 2023 and a continuation of outcomes from the Zambia–Ghana Joint Permanent Commission held in Lusaka in October 2025.

Kapwepwe Confirms She Has Been Approached for Running Mate Slot

Late former vice-president Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe’s daughter, Mulenga Kapwepwe, has disclosed that she has received several offers to be considered as a running mate ahead of the 2026 general elections. She says the approaches have come from different political directions, although she has not committed herself to any arrangement.

Speaking in an interview, Kapwepwe confirmed that discussions around her possible role as a running mate had taken place but said the position could not be assumed or imposed. She stated that such a role must be offered formally and considered carefully, taking into account broader political circumstances.

Kapwepwe explained that while she was grateful for the interest being shown, she remained cautious about making any commitments. She said the position of running mate carried significant responsibility and could not be taken lightly or treated as symbolic.

Asked whether she would accept the position if formally offered, Kapwepwe said she could not give a definitive answer at this stage. She stated that such a decision would depend on the context, the vision of those making the offer, and whether the role aligned with her principles and understanding of leadership.

Kapwepwe emphasised that leadership should be anchored in competence and purpose rather than personal ambition. She said the focus should always be on what best serves the country and strengthens governance structures, rather than individual political advancement.

She also reflected on the legacy of her late father, former vice-president Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, noting that leadership required depth, clarity of thought, and a commitment to national unity. Kapwepwe said the values she had inherited from her upbringing shaped how she viewed political engagement and responsibility.

Kapwepwe stated that leadership must be driven by substance and the ability to address real challenges facing the country. She said a running mate should bring balance, capacity, and strategic thinking to a presidential ticket, rather than being selected for convenience.

On speculation surrounding her political future, Kapwepwe said she preferred to engage in meaningful dialogue rather than public conjecture. She said decisions of such magnitude required careful consideration and should not be rushed in response to external pressure.

She further stated that women had an important role to play in national leadership and governance, adding that representation should be matched with competence and credibility. Kapwepwe said leadership positions should empower individuals to contribute effectively to policy and national development.

Kapwepwe indicated that while politics often generated speculation, she remained focused on engaging with issues that affected ordinary citizens. She said her interest lay in contributing to national discourse in a way that upheld integrity and responsibility.

The disclosure comes amid heightened political activity as parties and alliances begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2026 general elections. Discussions around presidential tickets and potential running mates are expected to intensify as the electoral calendar progresses.

Kapwepwe said she would continue to listen, reflect, and engage constructively, but stressed that any decision regarding a running mate role would only be made after careful evaluation of the broader national interest.