Gaborone, Monday, 24 November 2025
The Southern African Development Community has confirmed that it will dispatch the SADC Electoral Advisory Council to Zambia to examine concerns raised by Patriotic Front Information and Publicity Chairperson Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba regarding the credibility of the 2026 General Elections.

The confirmation is contained in a formal response from the SADC Secretariat to Ambassador Mwamba’s correspondence in which he detailed a series of complaints related to the political environment, electoral preparations, and governance concerns. The Secretariat acknowledged receipt of the complaint and noted the PF official’s readiness to travel to Gaborone for further engagement.

According to the letter, the matters raised fall within the mandate of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council, a technical body responsible for advising the regional bloc on electoral processes, governance, and adherence to the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections of 2021. The Secretariat indicated that SEAC is already preparing a mission to Zambia under Article 7.3 of the revised guidelines.

Ambassador Mwamba’s complaint outlined several allegations, including claims that President Hakainde Hichilema is influencing political and judicial processes, that restrictive laws have reduced citizens’ freedom of expression, and that proposed constitutional amendments could affect the credibility of the 2026 vote. The PF official also accused the administration of actions that, in his view, undermine the independence of the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

Responding on behalf of the Secretariat, Ms Onalenna Nthase of the Directorate of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs stated that the concerns qualify for review under the SEAC framework. She explained that SEAC missions serve to review post-election environments, evaluate recommendations from electoral observation missions, and encourage member states to implement those recommendations.

The Secretariat further advised that once consultations with the Government of Zambia are concluded, Ambassador Mwamba’s office will receive notification of the dates and venue for SEAC’s engagement with electoral stakeholders. The letter emphasised that this forum will allow the PF representative to present his concerns directly to the advisory body.

SEAC is one of SADC’s technical structures responsible for promoting credible elections across the region. Its mandate includes providing advisory support, reviewing electoral processes, and assessing member states’ adherence to the organisation’s electoral principles.

Full SADC Letter

SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY SECRETARIAT
Private Bag 0095
Gaborone
Botswana

E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.sadc.int
Telephone: (267)3951863
Telefax: (267)3972848 / (267)3181070

REF: SADC/13/5/7
23 NOVEMBER 2025

Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
Chairperson for Information and Publicity
Patriotic Front
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA.

Dear Sir,

RE: THREATS TO DEMOCRACY AND THE HOLDING OF FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

Reference is made to your letter of the above reference.

The SADC Secretariat takes note of the concerns that you raised in the letter mentioned above, and of your readiness to travel to Gaborone, Republic of Botswana, to further make representations on the matter.

The concerns that you have raised fall within the mandate of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC), which, incidentally, is preparing to travel to the Republic of Zambia to carry out a post-election review mission in terms of Article 7.3. of the revised SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021).

These reviews are critical to address any post-election conflicts, to evaluate recommendations made by electoral observation missions, and as a platform through which Member States can be encouraged to implement all relevant recommendations emanating from the SADC Electoral Observation Missions (SEOM) and SEAC Reports.

Based on ongoing consultations with the Republic of Zambia, the Secretariat will communicate with your offices on the dates and venue for the SEAC consultations with electoral stakeholders in Zambia. This will be the ideal forum for you to make the representations above.

Member States:
Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

All correspondence should be addressed to the Executive Secretary.

For further information and enquiries on logistical issues, please contact: Magabolle
Mafiri, Email: [email protected], Tel: +267 3611600 / +267 76077142 and Elijah
Munyuki, Email: [email protected], Tel: +267 77036916.

Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Prof. Kula I Theletsane
Director – Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs
For/EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

HH warns Zambia will not return to violent political culture

President Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated that Zambia will not revisit the turbulent political climate associated with violence and confrontational mobilisation, saying the country’s future depends on maintaining a stable and peaceful civic environment. He delivered the remarks during the Evangelical Church in Zambia’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations at the Matero congregation in Lusaka, where he joined church members for the commemorative service.

Hichilema said Zambia’s democracy has matured because citizens have consistently chosen dialogue over confrontation. He noted that periods of political tension in previous years created anxiety among residents, disrupted local economic activities and strained relationships within communities. According to him, the country should learn from these experiences and avoid behaviour that undermines public safety or disturbs daily activities in neighbourhoods.

He told congregants that political violence affects citizens who are not always involved in disputes. He said confrontations often interfere with trading, schooling and household responsibilities, adding that they divert attention from development needs in communities. Maintaining peace, he said, is therefore not only a governance issue but a practical necessity for families across the country.

Hichilema emphasised that every Zambian has a responsibility to preserve order. He said individuals must reject calls for confrontational actions that threaten public safety or disturb community life. He urged citizens to speak up when they see behaviour that may escalate tensions, noting that peace is preserved when communities collectively reject violence.

He also encouraged church leaders to continue supporting national conversations through balanced, factual guidance that helps citizens understand governance processes. He said institutions such as the church provide important platforms for reflection and dialogue, enabling people to participate constructively in issues affecting the country.

The President said constitutional and governance discussions should be approached calmly, with room for differing opinions. He said the ability to discuss sensitive matters without confrontation reflects the maturity of the country’s democratic systems. He stressed that constitutional engagement must take place in an atmosphere where citizens feel safe to express themselves.

He reminded congregants that Zambia’s progress is linked to its reputation for peace, which has made the country a stable destination for investment and regional cooperation. He said preserving this image requires all citizens, including political players, to prioritise responsible conduct over actions that fuel tension.

Hichilema noted that public order is central to efforts aimed at improving essential services and expanding economic opportunities. He explained that instability disrupts government programmes and limits support reaching communities. He said peaceful conduct helps sustain development initiatives meant to enhance livelihoods.

He urged political actors to guide their supporters toward respectful engagement. He said leadership must avoid encouraging emotions that heighten confrontation and instead promote discussions grounded in facts. Clear communication, he said, helps reduce misunderstandings that often cause unnecessary tension.

The President added that Zambia’s long-term aspirations rely on stable communities where people can work, trade and raise families in secure environments. He said past incidents of violence demonstrated how easily public order can be disrupted when political actors allow disagreements to escalate.

He concluded by encouraging Zambians to continue building a society where disputes are resolved through lawful channels. He said peaceful civic participation is essential to protecting the gains the country has made since independence and to ensuring future generations inherit a stable and united nation.a

Opposition MPs Accused of Accepting Payments to Support Bill 7

Dr. Shishuwa Shishuwa, a historian, writer, and academic with extensive credentials in African studies and political history, has raised concerns that several opposition Members of Parliament have privately committed to support Bill 7 in exchange for financial benefits or relief from possible legal action. His remarks came during a broadcast interview focused on the ongoing constitutional debate and the conduct of the executive.

According to Dr. Shishuwa, the executive has intensified efforts to secure the parliamentary votes required for Bill 7. He referred to the earlier Constitutional Court decision which found the previous process leading to the bill unconstitutional. The ruling, in his view, required two things: a public-driven process and the use of an independent expert body. Current steps, he said, do not reflect those conditions.

The committee appointed to review the constitutional matter was described by him as lacking independence, with its composition conflicting with the expectations set by the court. The continued presence of the bill in Parliament, despite the earlier judgment, was presented as evidence of a process that has not been realigned with the ruling. This, Dr. Shishuwa stated, created a strong push within the executive to gather additional support from MPs.

Financial incentives were at the centre of his allegations. Dr. Shishuwa reported that some MPs were approached and offered three million kwacha each to support Bill 7. The arrangement, according to accounts he received confidentially, involved an initial payment of one point five million kwacha before the vote and the balance after the vote. The information, he said, was provided by individuals with direct knowledge of the discussions.

Other MPs, he stated, were approached using unresolved legal matters. Files involving corruption-related issues and other serious offences were reportedly presented to certain legislators as leverage. In those situations, support for Bill 7 was described as a condition that could prevent prosecution. Dr. Shishuwa said several MPs agreed to back the bill after such engagements.

To improve public transparency, he recommended that the Oasis Forum request MPs to sign a clear commitment declaring that they would not support Bill 7. Legislators who decline to sign, he noted, would reveal their position through their refusal. Such a measure, in his view, would help citizens identify MPs willing to uphold constitutional responsibilities without external influence.

The internal landscape of the Patriotic Front was also highlighted. Dr. Shishuwa pointed to a fragmented structure consisting of factions linked to Given Lubinda, Brian Mundubile, Chabinga, and Makebi Zulu. These divisions, he said, have made the party vulnerable to external pressure and weakened its ability to take unified positions on national matters.

Two of the factions were described as having backing from state actors, a development he said increases internal strain and complicates the party’s capacity to respond to the constitutional issue. Such conditions, according to him, make targeted engagement with individual MPs easier for those seeking support for Bill 7.

The allegations, Dr. Shishuwa noted, reflect a broader concern about the vulnerability of MPs facing financial difficulties or unresolved legal issues. Citizens, he said, expect their representatives to act responsibly, and decisions made under private arrangements weaken public trust.

He urged the Oasis Forum to continue with its planned peaceful demonstration intended to deliver a petition on Bill 7 to the president. Postponing the event, he said, would support efforts to push the bill before the parliamentary recess. A peaceful march and formal delivery of concerns, he added, would give the public a clear opportunity to be heard.

Dr. Shishuwa encouraged citizens to follow the conduct of their representatives closely, noting that public attention remains essential as developments around Bill 7 continue.

 Zambia has officially moved out of external debt default after S&P Global Ratings upgraded the country’s long- and short-term foreign currency sovereign credit ratings to ‘CCC+/C’ from ‘SD/SD’, with a stable outlook. The announcement marks a major milestone in the country’s economic recovery efforts.

S&P Global Ratings, a leading international credit assessment agency, evaluates the ability of governments and companies to meet their financial commitments. The upgrade signals renewed international confidence in Zambia’s economic reforms under the current administration.

According to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, the new rating reflects steady fiscal discipline, strengthened policy credibility, and the government’s decisive actions to resolve the debt overhang that has constrained economic activity since 2020. It also highlights improvements in Zambia’s macroeconomic environment, driven by progress in external debt restructuring, resilience in the mining sector, and stabilizing inflation expectations.

S&P noted that Zambia has secured restructuring agreements with official and commercial creditors representing about 94 percent of eligible debt. Only a small portion—mostly held by commercial banks—remains under negotiation.

Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane welcomed the development, calling it a strong vote of confidence in Zambia’s reform agenda and governance.

“It confirms that Zambia has moved out of default status and is steadily restoring its place as a credible, stable, and investable economy,” Dr. Musokotwane said.

He described the upgraded rating as recognition of the country’s pioneering role under the G20 Common Framework, noting that Zambia was one of the earliest countries to undertake the complex restructuring process.

“The upgrade is not only a recognition of economic progress, but a testament to the determination, discipline, and endurance of the government and the Zambian people,” he added.

Dr. Musokotwane emphasized that the rating supports the government’s strategy focusing on debt sustainability, export-led growth, stable macroeconomic management, improved governance, and expanded energy capacity. He said these reforms are aimed at delivering more jobs, stable prices, greater opportunities for youth and women, and broader economic participation by local businesses.

The government expressed appreciation to official and commercial creditors, cooperating partners, civil society, the private sector, and citizens for their support throughout the restructuring process. Their engagement, the ministry noted, helped put Zambia back on a sustainable economic path.

Going forward, the government reaffirmed its commitment to fiscal discipline, completion of remaining debt restructuring steps, expansion of energy capacity, stronger social protection programs, and support for private-sector-driven growth.

Zambia’s exit from default also underscores that risks from potential holdout creditors remain limited. This is due to safeguards such as the comparability-of-treatment principles under the G20 Common Framework and “most-favoured-creditor” clauses embedded in Eurobond agreements.

With the upgrade, Zambia is now positioned to gradually rebuild its global financial standing and pursue long-term economic prosperity.