Opposition Alliance Endorses M’Membe, Names Five Vice Presidents

The People’s Pact has selected Fred M’membe as its presidential candidate for the 2026 general election, marking the most formal attempt yet by opposition parties to present a single challenger to the ruling United Party for National Development.

The decision was announced in Lusaka following consultations among member parties of the alliance, with the pact confirming that it would use the Socialist Party as its electoral vehicle for the August poll. Five vice presidents were also named to support the ticket, a structure the alliance said was intended to reflect collective leadership and shared responsibility.

Officials said the endorsement of M’Membe was driven by the need to avoid fragmentation that has characterised previous opposition efforts. They stated that the pact had resolved to field one presidential candidate in response to public calls for unity and coordination ahead of the election.

Addressing supporters after the announcement, M’Membe said the alliance had made a conscious decision to put aside internal competition in favour of what he described as a common national objective. He said the People’s Pact would campaign on a platform centred on economic justice, governance reform, and social protection.

M’Membe said the decision to unite behind one candidate followed extensive engagement with citizens, faith leaders, and civil society groups who had urged opposition parties to avoid splitting the vote. He said the pact believed Zambians wanted a credible alternative presented in a clear and organised manner.

The five vice presidents named to the ticket were identified as Robert Sichinga, Peter Sinkamba, Kaluba Simuyemba, and two other senior figures drawn from the alliance’s member parties. Pact officials said the appointments were intended to broaden representation across political and organisational lines within the opposition.

The announcement comes as Zambia moves into an election year marked by rising political activity and heightened scrutiny of economic management. Opposition parties have repeatedly cited concerns over the cost of living, energy supply, and public debt as key issues shaping voter sentiment ahead of August.

The ruling party, led by President Hakainde Hichilema, has maintained that its administration has stabilised the economy and laid the groundwork for long-term growth. Government officials have pointed to fiscal discipline, debt restructuring, and investment inflows as evidence of progress since 2021.

People’s Pact leaders said the selection of a single candidate was intended to ensure that opposition messaging remained focused and consistent throughout the campaign period. They said internal disagreements would be handled within alliance structures to avoid public disputes that could undermine credibility.

The alliance also said it would soon begin formal campaign preparations, including coordination of policy positions among member parties and engagement with the Electoral Commission of Zambia on procedural requirements.

The People’s Pact was formed as a coalition of opposition parties seeking to challenge the dominance of larger political formations by pooling resources and voter bases. Previous attempts at opposition alliances have struggled to maintain cohesion through election cycles, often collapsing over leadership disputes.

Pact officials said lessons had been drawn from those experiences, with the current arrangement placing emphasis on discipline and collective decision-making. They said the choice of M’Membe reflected internal consensus rather than individual ambition.

With the election calendar tightening, the alliance said its priority was to present itself as a stable and credible alternative capable of governing. Leaders said the coming months would test the durability of the pact and its ability to sustain unity under political pressure.

Lubinda says PF future hinges on unity, not court rulings

Given Lubinda has set out what he described as the Patriotic Front’s final path forward, telling journalists that the survival of the political movement founded by Michael Chilufya Sata would be determined by internal unity rather than court outcomes.

Speaking during a press interaction, Lubinda responded to pointed questions from Mr. Zulu, Madam Tawanda and Nelson on the credibility of state institutions, growing internal friction within the PF, and uncertainty surrounding the party’s convention scheduled after mid-January 2026. His remarks came amid sustained legal and political pressure on the opposition party, with several court processes expected to reach decisive stages in early January.

When asked by Nelson how the PF could accuse the justice system of being weaponised while still expressing confidence in court processes ahead of January 9 and January 12, Lubinda offered a cautious but firm response. He said the presence of selective justice did not cancel out the possibility of lawful decisions emerging from the courts. To illustrate the point, he compared the system to a handful of groundnuts, saying that the existence of a rotten one did not mean all were spoiled.

Lubinda pointed to the Constitutional Court ruling in the Mukandila and Munia Zulu case on Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 as an example of what he described as correct judicial conduct within a broader environment he considers compromised. He said that ruling demonstrated why the PF had continued to pursue legal routes before taking major political decisions, despite its wider concerns about the justice system.

Pressed further by Mr. Zulu on what the party would do if the courts did not rule in its favour, Lubinda deliberately shifted his language away from formal party structures. He said the organisation created by Michael Sata and later led by Edgar Chagwalungu Lungu would continue “under whatever umbrella it chooses,” making clear that the movement would not allow its future to be determined by prolonged legal delays.

“We are giving ourselves only up to the 12th of January to use the judicial system,” Lubinda said, adding that once that window closed, the leadership would decide how to convene and elect new leadership without further postponement. His remarks suggested a readiness to move forward with internal processes regardless of the outcome of pending court matters.

The exchange with Madam Tawanda shifted the discussion inward, focusing on rising public concern over infighting among PF presidential hopefuls and the conduct of their supporters, particularly on social media platforms. She asked whether aspirants understood that the party’s interests should come before individual ambition at a time when the PF faced existential pressure.

Lubinda responded by drawing a clear line, stating that anyone within the PF who placed personal ambition above national duty was, in his words, “in the wrong place.” He said leadership ambition was legitimate only when it was anchored in service to citizens rather than factional advantage. Supporters who spread insults, hostility and division online, he added, were being closely watched by both party members and the wider public.

He said PF members were already forming their own judgments about which aspirants were working to unite the party and which were fuelling acrimony. Those contributing to division, Lubinda warned, were doing so at their own peril, as internal sentiment would ultimately influence the direction and leadership of the movement.

Lubinda also disclosed that the PF Council of Elders was actively engaging all aspiring candidates to secure agreement on a convention process that would strengthen the party rather than fracture it. He said holding a convention that produced a divided outcome would defeat the purpose of the exercise and weaken the movement at a critical moment.

“If I knew a convention would destroy the party, I would leave before it happened,” Lubinda said, stressing that the objective of the process was renewal, not rupture. His remarks underscored concerns within the party that unresolved rivalries could undermine efforts to present a united front ahead of the 2026 general election.

Beyond internal party dynamics, Lubinda addressed the broader role of the media and digital platforms in shaping political discourse. He urged journalists and social media users to resist becoming conduits for hostility, arguing that they carried a responsibility for national cohesion during politically sensitive periods. Responsible journalism, he said, was an essential pillar in maintaining stability and informed public debate.

The interaction highlighted the tension facing the PF as it navigates legal uncertainty, leadership succession and public expectations simultaneously. Lubinda’s responses framed the coming weeks as decisive, not only for determining how the party conducts its convention, but also for whether the movement can reassert cohesion after a prolonged period of internal and external pressure.

We give him another 20 years – wishes Snr Chief Shakumbila

Senior Chief Shakumbila strongly praised President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership, crediting his administration with restoring peace and delivering policies that many Zambians once considered impossible, while openly expressing his personal wish for the President to continue in office for a much longer period.

Speaking during a public engagement, Chief Shakumbila said Zambia is “now better” under President Hichilema, attributing the improvement to policy clarity, national stability, and a renewed sense of direction. He described the President as a leader with long-term plans who should not be disrupted by frequent political transitions.

“We are so lucky to have President Hakainde Hichilema as President because Zambia is now better,” the Chief said. “If it were up to me, I would say we give this young man another 20 years to put his plans properly.”

Chief Shakumbila went further, questioning the necessity of frequent elections when, in his view, a leader is performing well and delivering tangible results. He said interrupting such leadership risks confusing a President who has come with clear and workable plans for national development.

“If it were me, I would say elections, we give him another 20 years,” he said. “I don’t know what’s wrong with that. We don’t need to confuse somebody who has come with better plans.”

His remarks, while framed as a personal opinion, have drawn attention because of their direct reference to extending leadership beyond constitutionally prescribed electoral cycles. The comments come at a time when debates around governance, democracy, and term limits remain sensitive in Zambia’s political discourse.

Chief Shakumbila anchored much of his praise on the introduction of free education, a policy he said had long disappeared from the national imagination. He recalled that many Zambians had stopped believing free education was achievable, only for it to be implemented under the current administration.

“No one in Zambia knew that one day we shall have free education,” he said. “People were saying, where is he going to get the money from? They said this boy is a dreamer, that he is cheating people. But now it is working.”

He said the programme has given families across the country renewed hope, particularly in rural areas where school fees had previously locked many children out of education. According to the Chief, free education has restored opportunity and dignity to households that once saw schooling as a privilege rather than a right.

“I believe every Zambian is happy to have free education,” he said, adding that the policy empowers those who want to continue with school while leaving the choice with individuals. “Those who want to continue, they can continue.”

Beyond education, Chief Shakumbila also highlighted peace and security as defining features of the current period. He said Zambia is now calm, with citizens able to move freely without fear or intimidation.

“There is peace now in the country,” he said. “Everywhere you go, you don’t expect anybody to attack you. Everybody enjoys that.”

Supporters of the government often cite peace and improved civic space as evidence of progress since the change of administration. Traditional leaders in several regions have echoed similar sentiments, pointing to reduced political tension and improved relations between state institutions and communities.

However, the Chief’s suggestion that elections could be deferred to allow leadership continuity intersects with constitutional principles that firmly establish term limits and regular elections as cornerstones of Zambia’s democracy. Legal experts and civil society groups have consistently maintained that while performance can be debated, constitutional order must remain intact.

Chief Shakumbila did not frame his remarks as a call for constitutional change but as an expression of admiration for what he sees as effective leadership and policy delivery. Nonetheless, his comments illustrate how development outcomes can shape political attitudes beyond formal party structures.

As Zambia moves toward the 2026 general elections, endorsements and opinions from traditional leaders are likely to continue influencing national conversation, even as debates about democracy, leadership continuity, and constitutionalism intensify.

Chief Shakumbila closed his remarks by reiterating his belief that progress should not be interrupted, framing continuity as a practical response to results rather than a political manoeuvre.

It is shameful that ECL remains unburied – Chifumu Banda

Opposition politician Chifumu Banda has sharply criticised the continued delay in the burial of former President Edgar Lungu, describing the situation as shameful and deeply troubling for the country, seven months after Lungu’s death.

Banda said the prolonged stay of the former Head of State’s body in a South African mortuary has gone beyond a private family matter and has become a national concern that reflects poorly on Zambia’s political culture, leadership maturity, and respect for tradition. He argued that the inability to resolve the impasse exposes deeper political tensions and a failure of leadership restraint at the highest levels.

Speaking against the backdrop of renewed public debate on the matter, Banda said Zambians are witnessing an unprecedented situation in which a former President has not been laid to rest long after death, despite repeated public assurances that talks and consultations are ongoing. He said this has caused distress not only to the Lungu family but also to many citizens who regard the burial of a former Head of State as a matter of national dignity.

Banda questioned how a country that prides itself on peace, cultural values, and respect for elders could allow such a stalemate to persist. He said burial rites are not merely ceremonial but are deeply rooted in African tradition and national identity, especially when they concern a leader who once held the highest office in the land.

He accused the current political leadership of allowing partisan considerations to overshadow basic humanity and decency. Banda said disagreements over protocol, venue, or arrangements should never be allowed to override the need to give a former President a dignified send-off.

According to Banda, the continued delay risks setting a dangerous precedent in which political rivalry extends beyond life and into death. He warned that such a trajectory could further polarise the nation and erode the shared values that have historically guided Zambia through political transitions.

Banda also rejected arguments suggesting that the matter should be left entirely to private negotiations, insisting that the state has an unavoidable role when it comes to former Heads of State. He said while family wishes must be respected, the government equally carries constitutional, cultural, and moral responsibilities that cannot be indefinitely deferred.

He further criticised what he described as selective urgency in national affairs, arguing that issues affecting political optics often receive swift attention, while matters of deeper moral consequence are allowed to stagnate. Banda said the silence and delays surrounding the burial stand in stark contrast to the speed with which political disputes are often pursued when power or control is at stake.

The opposition figure urged the government to demonstrate statesmanship by separating political disagreements from matters of national closure. He said Zambia’s history of peaceful transitions should compel leaders to act with restraint and empathy, particularly in moments that test the country’s moral compass.

Banda also warned that the unresolved burial has begun to fuel public speculation, misinformation, and political messaging that could have been avoided through decisive and transparent action. He said prolonged uncertainty invites unnecessary narratives that further inflame tensions and distract from pressing economic and social challenges facing the country.

He called on all parties involved to prioritise national unity over ego and political positioning. Banda said leadership is most visible not in moments of triumph but in how power is exercised during sensitive and painful circumstances.

The issue of Lungu’s burial has been a prominent topic in recent political commentary, with traditional leaders, clerics, and opposition figures weighing in on what they describe as a disturbing impasse. While government officials have indicated that consultations are ongoing, no clear timeline has been publicly communicated, adding to public frustration.

Banda said the absence of closure has left a symbolic wound in the nation’s conscience. He argued that burying a former President should not be controversial, delayed, or politicised, but handled with dignity, speed, and respect in keeping with Zambia’s values.

history will judge harshly any leadership that allowed political differences to overshadow humanity. Banda said Zambia owes it to itself, and to future generations, to ensure that even in disagreement, the country does not lose its sense of decency.

Poll places HH at 75pc approval rate

An opinion poll placing President Hakainde Hichilema’s approval rating at 75 percent has triggered renewed political debate, with the governing United Party for National Development (UPND) citing the figures as evidence of public confidence, while opposition figures question both the timing and substance of the findings.

The poll, published as Zambia approaches the end of 2025, suggests that nearly three quarters of respondents approve of President Hichilema’s performance in office, while the combined opposition accounts for the remaining 25 percent. According to the survey’s presentation, the figures are attributed to what it describes as rising public optimism and growing approval of the President’s leadership style.

Supporters of the government argue that the approval rating reflects tangible economic and governance outcomes recorded over the past four years. They point to debt restructuring, improved fiscal discipline, re-engagement with international creditors, and relative macroeconomic stability as factors that have shaped public perception. The administration has repeatedly highlighted Zambia’s exit from debt distress, improved foreign exchange inflows, and renewed investor interest as markers of recovery following the economic challenges inherited in 2021.

Government-aligned voices also link the poll’s findings to policy decisions that have had visible social impact, including expanded social protection programmes, increased Constituency Development Fund allocations, and the continuation of free education. They argue that these interventions have strengthened household resilience at a time when global economic pressures, climate shocks, and energy disruptions have strained many developing economies.

However, the poll has also drawn scepticism from sections of the opposition and civil society, who caution against equating approval ratings with lived realities on the ground. Critics argue that headline figures may mask persistent structural challenges, including high food prices, intermittent electricity supply, delayed farmer payments, and youth unemployment.

Opposition leaders have questioned whether the methodology and sampling of the poll adequately capture the experiences of rural communities, informal sector workers, and urban low-income households. Some have argued that public sentiment is more fragmented than the figures suggest, particularly in constituencies where economic hardship remains pronounced.

Within opposition ranks, the poll has also reignited debate over unity and strategy ahead of the 2026 general elections. While the survey presents the opposition as a fragmented bloc sharing a quarter of voter support, some analysts note that approval ratings do not necessarily translate directly into electoral outcomes, especially in a competitive multiparty environment.

Political observers point out that approval ratings often reflect short-term sentiment rather than long-term voting intentions. They note that public opinion can shift rapidly in response to economic shocks, governance controversies, or changes in political messaging. In Zambia’s past electoral cycles, incumbents have faced strong challenges even when entering election years with perceived momentum.

The poll’s release has also drawn attention to the broader narrative of leadership performance that has followed President Hichilema throughout 2025. International recognition for economic reform has featured prominently in public discourse, with government officials citing foreign media and investor commentary as validation of policy direction. Critics, however, warn that external praise should not substitute for domestic accountability or overshadow unresolved governance concerns.

Some civil society actors have urged caution in how approval ratings are deployed in political communication, stressing the importance of safeguarding institutional neutrality, especially as the country moves closer to an election year. They argue that opinion polls should inform debate rather than be used to delegitimise dissenting voices or frame political competition as futile.

At the same time, governance analysts note that approval ratings, whether favourable or contested, place heightened responsibility on the incumbent administration. A high level of public approval raises expectations around service delivery, transparency, and ethical conduct, particularly in areas such as electoral administration, public finance management, and the use of state resources.

The opposition has signalled that it intends to focus its messaging on issues it believes resonate more strongly with voters than polling figures. These include the cost of living, agricultural support, energy reliability, and perceived uneven application of the law. Several opposition figures have argued that elections are ultimately decided at the ballot box, not in surveys.

As Zambia enters the final year before the 2026 polls, the poll placing President Hichilema at 75 percent approval has become part of a wider contest over narrative and legitimacy. For the ruling party, it reinforces claims of public endorsement. For critics, it underscores the need for vigilance, scrutiny, and sustained engagement with voters beyond statistical snapshots.