US, Zambia Outline New Economic and Mining Reform Framework
President Hakainde Hichilema and visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs Caleb Orr have agreed on a framework that seeks to reshape bilateral cooperation through a reform-driven support programme. Both the U.S. Embassy in Zambia and State House confirmed the engagement, noting that no specific financial figure was announced publicly. This engagement signifies a pivotal moment in Zambia’s economic journey, emphasizing the importance of transparent governance and sustainable practices in the mining sector. By aligning their interests, both nations aim to foster a climate conducive to investment, thereby enhancing Zambia’s position as a key player in the global mining industry.

According to official communication, the discussions centred on unlocking a substantial grant package tied to Zambia’s willingness to implement targeted reforms in the mining industry and the broader business environment. The proposed support would work alongside a restructured Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact and a five-year collaboration on public health. These reforms are anticipated to lead to more efficient mining operations and improved environmental management, which would not only benefit local communities but also enhance Zambia’s attractiveness to foreign investors who prioritize corporate responsibility and sustainability in their operations.

Assistant Secretary Orr said the United States aims to support Zambia’s economic potential through improvements in regulatory efficiency and transparency. He noted that American firms view Zambia as a market capable of attracting increased investment once predictable rules and streamlined procedures are established. He added that the reform programme is intended to expand opportunities that strengthen supply chains relevant to U.S. strategic interests while contributing to job creation in Zambia. By enhancing the regulatory framework, Zambia can ensure that both local and foreign investors feel secure in their investments, leading to sustainable economic growth and development.

The meeting was held as the Trump Administration repositions its foreign assistance priorities toward partnerships linked to measurable progress. U.S. officials described the evolving framework as an opportunity for Zambia to take a lead role in shaping a new phase of cooperation. They indicated that final terms will depend on the country’s advancement on agreed economic and governance benchmarks. This includes commitments to improve infrastructure development and foster innovation within the country, which are essential for attracting diverse investments beyond the mining sector.

The U.S. delegation included Ambassador Michael Gonzales, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southern African Affairs and African Foreign Assistance Nick Checker, and senior State Department staff. After the State House engagement, the team began a series of follow-up meetings with senior officials in the Ministries of Finance, Mines and Mineral Development, Commerce, Trade and Industry, Technology and Science, and Agriculture. These dialogues are crucial as they aim to establish a shared vision for Zambia’s economic future, focusing on sustainable development practices that can create jobs and stimulate local economies.

Assistant Secretary Orr is also scheduled to meet representatives from the mining sector and U.S. private sector actors, including KoBold Metals. The delegation will travel to Kansanshi Mine in North-Western Province to observe operations at First Quantum Minerals’ copper facility. These activities form part of efforts to understand the investment landscape and identify areas where cooperation could support reforms in Zambia’s extractive sector and commercial environment. Such site visits will provide valuable insights into the operational challenges faced by mining companies and help formulate strategies that can facilitate a more conducive environment for business.

No timeline has yet been announced for concluding the discussions. Both governments stated that technical teams will continue negotiating as progress is made on sector-specific reforms. Continuous dialogue is essential to ensure that the outcomes of these discussions translate into effective policies that will not only benefit investors but also improve the livelihoods of Zambians by creating jobs and enhancing economic opportunities across the country.

LAZ Faces Internal Pressure as Members Petition for Emergency Meeting

A group of members of the Law Association of Zambia has formally petitioned the association’s council, calling for an Extraordinary General Meeting to address concerns about the organisation’s perceived involvement in partisan political matters. The petition, delivered to the LAZ Honorary Secretary, asks the council to urgently convene the meeting and allow members to debate the association’s public posture during ongoing national discussions around constitutional reform and the activities of the Oasis Forum.

The petitioners noted that LAZ, by law and tradition, is expected to maintain strict professional neutrality and avoid taking positions that may be interpreted as aligning with political actors. They argued that the association’s recent engagement with the Oasis Forum, a civil society alliance that has been vocal on matters concerning Bill 7, has raised questions among members about whether the association continues to operate within the limits of its mandate.

Signatories to the petition stated that the issue was not the Oasis Forum’s right to advocate on constitutional matters, but whether LAZ’s visible association with the grouping could be misunderstood as institutional endorsement of a specific political position. They said this perception risked weakening public confidence in the association’s independence at a time when constitutional reform is under heightened scrutiny.

The petitioners asked the LAZ council to clarify the association’s official position, provide a detailed account of its engagements with the Oasis Forum, and explain the basis on which public statements attributed to LAZ were issued during the ongoing national debate. They said only a properly convened Extraordinary General Meeting could allow members to examine the allegations transparently, evaluate the association’s recent actions, and determine whether corrective steps were needed.

A second issue raised in the petition concerned what members described as LAZ’s decision to “take a stance” on the constitutional amendment process without consulting the broader membership. The petitioners argued that LAZ’s commentary on Bill 7 had been interpreted as leaning towards a particular view within a polarised national context and that members were entitled to decide, collectively, whether such a position was appropriate.

The petition states that LAZ’s strength lies in its reputation for impartial legal analysis and that the credibility of its interventions depends on strict adherence to professional neutrality. The petitioners stressed that the current climate demands extra caution, particularly as constitutional matters attract intense public attention and political dispute.

In response to the petition, documents seen indicate that the LAZ Honorary Secretary acknowledged receipt of the notice and confirmed that the matter would be tabled before the council in accordance with the association’s governing framework. The council is expected to determine whether the conditions set out under the Law Association of Zambia Act and the association’s constitution for convening an EGM have been met.

While the petition has not yet been fully debated by the LAZ membership, it has already triggered wider discussion within legal circles about the association’s role in moments of significant national policy change. Senior lawyers contacted separately said the petition reflected growing anxiety over how professional bodies articulate their positions during contentious political periods.

If the council determines that an EGM is warranted, the meeting would allow members to debate the concerns raised, adopt resolutions on the association’s conduct and clarify LAZ’s expected role in national discourse. If the council finds that conditions for an EGM have not been met, petitioners may still escalate the matter through additional procedures provided under association rules.

As debate around constitutional reform continues, the petition marks one of the most visible internal challenges to LAZ’s leadership in recent years and underscores the tensions that arise when professional bodies are drawn into national debates.

Zambia: Sureties Ordered to Pay K50,000 Each as Mwamba Skips Court in Shutdown Case

LUSAKA — The Lusaka Magistrate’s Court has directed two Members of Parliament to each pay K50,000 after failing to ensure the appearance of Patriotic Front Chairperson for Information and Publicity Emmanuel Mwamba in a case involving seditious practices. The court warned that failure to comply within 48 hours could result in contempt of court charges and possible imprisonment.

This case has drawn significant attention in Zambia, highlighting the legal responsibilities of public officials.

Magistrate Mbuywana Naiza Sinvula issued the order against Bangweulu MP Anthony Kasandwe and Chinsali MP Andrew Mukosa, who had stood as sureties for Mwamba’s bail. The directive follows Mwamba’s repeated absences from scheduled court proceedings. A bench warrant has since been issued for his arrest.

Mwamba faces charges stemming from a Facebook post published on November 4, 2023. The State alleges the post was likely to incite disaffection against the administration of justice in Zambia and had the potential to provoke violence or actions prejudicial to public order. The post called for mass protests and a national shutdown in response to Matero MP Miles Sampa’s declaration of himself as PF president.

Mwamba maintained that his call for public action was a lawful exercise of democratic rights. In a statement, he said: “We have noted statements from State House and from the Zambia Police responding to our call for mass actions and promoting a day of national shut down in order for Zambians to protect the Constitution, Democracy and the Rule of Law.”

He argued that such expressions fell within the bounds of freedom of speech. However, the court has treated the matter as a criminal offence under provisions related to seditious practices.

Kasandwe and Mukosa entered into a recognisance agreement when Mwamba was granted bail, pledging to guarantee his attendance at all court sessions. Magistrate Sinvula ruled they had breached that obligation by failing to produce him or explain his absence.

The K50,000 forfeiture per surety is a standard enforcement measure under Zambia’s criminal procedure when bail conditions are violated. The funds are payable to the state unless Mwamba voluntarily surrenders before the deadline, which the court has not indicated would reverse the penalty.

As of Monday, December 8, 2025, Mwamba remains at large. The Zambia Police have not disclosed whether active efforts are underway to execute the bench warrant.

Parliament has not issued a statement regarding the conduct of its two members implicated as defaulting sureties. The Patriotic Front has also not released an official comment on Mwamba’s absence or the court’s ruling.

This case underscores the legal risks associated with using social media to mobilise mass civil disobedience, even when framed as a defence of constitutional principles. The prosecution’s continued pursuit of the charge signals the state’s position that calls for national shutdowns may cross into prohibited speech under current law.

The matter remains pending before the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court.