Several opposition Members of Parliament, including senior figures Sunday Chanda and Mungandu, have openly indicated their intention to seek adoption on the United Party for National Development ticket ahead of the 2026 general elections, reflecting growing political realignments within Zambia’s opposition ranks.

Sunday Chanda, who has been serving as a leading opposition figure in Parliament, confirmed that he was exploring the possibility of standing on the UPND ticket, citing internal challenges within the opposition and the need for political clarity as the country moves closer to the polls. Mungandu, another senior opposition MP, has similarly acknowledged interest in the ruling party’s platform, stating that the prevailing political environment has compelled lawmakers to reassess their positions.

The expressions of interest come at a time when opposition parties are experiencing sustained internal instability, characterised by leadership disputes, court injunctions, parallel structures and uncertainty over party direction. These developments have left several MPs unsure about their political futures as they prepare to seek re-election.

Chanda has argued that political survival cannot be divorced from organisational strength, noting that MPs are accountable to their constituents and must operate within platforms that allow them to deliver effectively. He said the fragmentation within opposition parties has weakened coordination and limited the ability of MPs to pursue legislative and constituency priorities.

Mungandu, speaking separately, said his interest in the UPND ticket should not be viewed as betrayal but as a strategic political decision informed by developments on the ground. He said the ruling party currently offers a more stable national structure, which is critical for electoral competitiveness.

Both lawmakers emphasised that their consideration of the UPND ticket was guided by constituency realities rather than ideological shifts. They pointed to the increasing difficulty of sustaining political operations within parties facing leadership wrangles and legal challenges.

UPND officials have not confirmed whether formal applications have been submitted by Chanda, Mungandu or other opposition MPs. However, senior party officials have previously stated that adoption processes are governed by internal rules and are subject to approval by constituency, district and provincial structures.

The ruling party has maintained that incumbency does not guarantee adoption and that aspirants, including those from opposition parties, must satisfy established criteria. These include loyalty to party principles, grassroots acceptance and compliance with constitutional requirements.

Political analysts say the interest shown by opposition MPs underscores a broader trend of political migration toward the ruling party, particularly as opposition formations struggle to project unity and organisational coherence. The Patriotic Front, the largest opposition party in Parliament, has been at the centre of these challenges, with disputes over leadership and legitimacy dominating headlines.

Beyond the PF, smaller opposition parties have also faced declining influence, limited resources and weakened grassroots networks. For sitting MPs, these challenges have raised concerns about electoral viability, prompting some to consider alternative political platforms.

The potential movement of opposition MPs to the UPND has sparked debate among political stakeholders. Supporters argue that political mobility is an inherent feature of democratic systems, while critics warn that frequent party switching risks eroding ideological consistency and voter trust.

UPND insiders say the party is bracing for heightened competition as the election period approaches, with both incumbents and newcomers vying for adoption in constituencies considered winnable. The interest from opposition MPs is expected to intensify internal contests within the ruling party rather than reduce them.

As the political landscape continues to shift, the decisions taken by figures such as Sunday Chanda and Mungandu are likely to influence broader calculations within opposition ranks. Their moves are being closely watched by both supporters and critics as indicators of the direction opposition politics may take ahead of the 2026 elections.

Whether the interest expressed by the MPs will translate into successful adoption remains uncertain. What is clear is that Zambia’s political space is entering a period of heightened manoeuvring, with party loyalties and alliances increasingly shaped by organisational strength, electoral strategy and perceptions of political stability.

Patriotic Front lawmakers and senior party figures have pushed back strongly against claims that they have been expelled from the party, demanding formal, lawful expulsion letters and questioning what they describe as shifting standards within the PF leadership over participation in the Tonse Alliance.

The confrontation follows a resolution by the Given Lubinda-led PF Central Committee, which announced that Brian Mundubile and a group of senior members had, through their conduct, effectively relinquished their party membership by participating in what the party termed an “illegal Tonse Alliance conference.” The decision has escalated internal divisions within the former ruling party into an open struggle over authority, legitimacy and the future of the opposition.

Among those listed as expelled are Brian Mundubile, Stephen Kampyongo, Mutotwe Kafwaya, Lukas Simumba, Francis Kapyanga, Japhen Mwakalombe, Davis Chisopa, Melisiana Chibwe, Emmanuel Tembo and Lazarous Chungu, alongside several party officials and organisers. The resolution marked one of the most sweeping disciplinary actions taken by the party since losing power.

However, several of the affected MPs have rejected the expulsions, insisting that no lawful procedure has been followed and that announcements made through the media do not constitute official party action.

Nakonde Member of Parliament Lukas Simumba, one of those named in the resolution, has publicly challenged the Lubinda-led grouping to serve him with a formal expulsion letter signed by officials who legally hold office within the Patriotic Front. In a written statement, Simumba said he had not received any official communication from the party and remained a PF member until such communication was delivered through recognised internal channels.

“My attention has been drawn to media reports suggesting my expulsion from the Patriotic Front,” Simumba said. “I wish to state that I have not received any official communication from the party regarding this matter. As a dedicated member and Provincial Youth Treasurer for Muchinga Province, I understand that such significant decisions follow a clear internal procedure and are not conducted through media statements or social media.”

Simumba said until he is formally served with official correspondence on PF letterhead, bearing clear signatories and proof of authority, he continues to regard himself as a loyal PF member. He signed the statement as Nakonde Constituency MP, Patriotic Front member and Muchinga Province Youth Treasurer.

Brian Mundubile has also questioned the basis of the expulsions, arguing that his involvement in Tonse Alliance structures is neither new nor incompatible with PF membership. Mundubile has maintained that he has always been a member of the Tonse Council and that his position is consistent with historical practice within the alliance.

He has pointed out that the late President Edgar Lungu remained PF president while simultaneously serving as chairperson of the Tonse Alliance, a position Mundubile says was never questioned. Mundubile argues that nothing has changed in principle, insisting that a PF member can hold a leadership role within Tonse without ceasing to be a member of the Patriotic Front.

The Lubinda-led camp has taken a sharply different view. PF National Chairperson Jean Kapata dismissed the legitimacy of any structure operating under the banner of the “ECL/PF Movement,” stating that it does not exist within the party’s constitutional framework.

“There is only one PF which President Lungu left,” Kapata said. “The so-called ECL/PF Movement does not exist.” She urged those invoking Edgar Lungu’s name to respect him, even in death, and to stop what she described as masquerading under non-existent party formations.

Kapata reaffirmed that Edgar Lungu left Given Lubinda as acting president of the Patriotic Front and chairperson of the Tonse Alliance, and that this leadership arrangement remains in force until altered by a properly constituted PF General Conference. In her framing, PF remains the anchor party of Tonse, and any parallel authority structures are illegitimate.

PF officials say the expulsions were not symbolic but decisive, arguing that participation in rival Tonse structures amounts to political defection rather than internal dissent. The message from the Lubinda-led leadership has been that loyalty to the party must be unambiguous.

The expulsions come as the Patriotic Front prepares for an elective general conference scheduled for February, with party officials insisting that preparations are progressing despite court injunctions and competing political manoeuvres. Elections Chairperson Dr Frank N’gambi has said PF structures remain focused on convening the conference, even as senior figures drift toward the Mundubile camp.

The unfolding dispute reflects a party under intense pressure, struggling to contain factionalism while asserting control over its identity and legacy. What had previously been managed through internal negotiation has now spilled fully into the public arena, with legality, symbolism and authority all contested.

PF’s leadership appears to be betting that discipline and clear lines of authority will stabilise the party and reassert control. The Mundubile camp, by contrast, is betting that parliamentary numbers, momentum and the Tonse Alliance vehicle will outweigh formal party declarations.

The opposition landscape continues to fracture, with the Patriotic Front’s internal conflict becoming a central feature of the run-up to the 2026 general elections. Whether the expulsions restore order or accelerate fragmentation remains an open question, but the battle lines have now been firmly drawn.

The European Union has committed US$130 million towards the Lobito Corridor project, a strategic regional infrastructure initiative expected to strengthen trade links between Zambia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The funding is aimed at improving transport and logistics systems that support mineral exports and regional commerce.

Officials say the Lobito Corridor is designed to provide an efficient alternative route for the movement of goods, particularly minerals, from the Copperbelt and neighbouring regions to international markets through Angola’s Atlantic port of Lobito. The project is expected to reduce transport costs, shorten transit times and improve the reliability of export supply chains.

The EU funding will support upgrades to rail, road and associated logistics infrastructure along the corridor. Authorities involved in the project say the investment will enhance connectivity between inland production zones and coastal export points, addressing long-standing bottlenecks that have constrained trade efficiency.

The corridor has gained increased attention due to Zambia’s heavy reliance on mineral exports, particularly copper. Improved transport routes are viewed as critical to maintaining competitiveness and supporting planned increases in production. The project is also expected to benefit non-mineral trade, including agricultural exports and manufactured goods.

Government officials have previously stated that the Lobito Corridor aligns with broader regional integration goals under continental trade frameworks. By linking landlocked countries to global markets more efficiently, the corridor is expected to support economic diversification and cross-border trade.

The EU’s involvement reflects growing international interest in African infrastructure corridors that support supply chains for critical minerals. The Lobito route is seen as strategically important due to its potential to ease congestion on existing routes and provide redundancy in export logistics.

Beyond transport efficiency, project proponents say the corridor will stimulate economic activity along its length. Improved infrastructure is expected to attract private investment, create employment opportunities and support the development of industrial zones and logistics hubs.

The funding commitment also signals confidence in regional cooperation between Zambia, Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Successful implementation will require coordination across borders, regulatory alignment and sustained political support.

Officials have emphasised that transparency and accountability will be critical as funds are deployed. Infrastructure projects of this scale require strong oversight to ensure value for money and timely completion.

As Zambia continues to pursue economic recovery and growth, large-scale infrastructure investments are increasingly seen as central to long-term development strategy. The Lobito Corridor is expected to play a key role in shaping future trade patterns and strengthening the country’s integration into regional and global markets.