LUSAKA, April 1 — Movement for National Renewal leader John Sangwa says delays in registering his political party are constraining preparations for Zambia’s August 13 general election, placing pressure on participation timelines for new entrants.

The application for party registration was lodged on March 23, 2026, but remains pending, with the process requiring clearance linked to the Office of the Inspector General of Police before completion. The delay comes as political parties intensify mobilisation ahead of a fixed election calendar.

Sangwa said the issue extends beyond administrative procedure and carries direct political implications. Without formal registration, a political organisation cannot fully operate within the electoral framework, affecting its ability to organise structures, select candidates and engage voters at scale.

He stated that the current situation limits mobilisation and national visibility at a stage where established parties are already advancing campaign activities. The timing places newer political movements at a structural disadvantage as the election date approaches.

The electoral calendar sets August 13, 2026 as polling day, leaving a narrowing window for parties yet to complete registration to build operational capacity. Delays at this stage compress preparation timelines, affecting outreach, resource mobilisation and internal coordination.

Sangwa said participation in elections depends on more than casting a vote. It requires that political actors are able to organise, campaign and present alternatives within a framework that is consistent and predictable. He added that the absence of registration interrupts that process.

The matter draws attention to the administrative pathways governing political party registration, where compliance requirements include documentation checks and security-related clearances. These processes are designed to ensure regulatory standards are met, though they also introduce procedural stages where timelines can extend.

Sangwa framed the delay as a constitutional concern tied to political participation. He said administrative systems should facilitate, not restrict, the ability of citizens and political actors to take part in elections through organised platforms.

The issue emerges within a broader electoral environment where institutional processes are under scrutiny. Government officials have pointed to the role of information management in safeguarding election credibility, with Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa calling on the media to prioritise accurate reporting and counter misinformation ahead of the polls.

That position reflects awareness that election credibility is shaped not only by procedures but also by public confidence in how those procedures are applied. Administrative consistency and transparency remain central to maintaining that confidence.

There is no indication within the available material that the delay in registration is deliberate. No formal explanation from authorities is cited regarding the status of the application or the timeframe for completion of the required clearances.

The absence of resolution has allowed the issue to acquire political weight, particularly as the election timeline advances. Questions around equal participation arise when procedural delays intersect with fixed electoral milestones.

Sangwa said the inability to fully operate as a registered political party affects core functions, including candidate selection processes, fundraising and the establishment of national structures. These elements form the operational backbone of electoral participation and require sufficient lead time to execute.

The situation also highlights the balance between regulation and access within electoral systems. While compliance measures are necessary to maintain order and legitimacy, their implementation must align with timelines that enable fair participation across all political actors.

Attention is expected to remain on how quickly the registration process is concluded and whether similar concerns emerge from other prospective political parties. The handling of such applications carries implications for perceptions of fairness within the electoral framework.

With the election date fixed, the pace of administrative processes becomes a determining factor in how evenly political actors can prepare. Institutional consistency, transparency and timeliness will shape confidence in the system as the country moves closer to polling day.

Tonse Alliance Presidential Spokesperson George Chisanga says recent claims of a self-declared presidency within the United Party for National Development (UPND) raise legal and governance concerns, warning authorities to apply the law consistently as tensions build ahead of internal party processes.

Chisanga addressed the media early Wednesday following reports that an individual identified as Patrick Tembo Banda had declared himself UPND president, citing expired mandates within party structures and calling for internal elections at lower levels before a national convention.

The reaction followed a circulating political statement in which Patrick Tembo Banda announced that he had assumed interim leadership of the party, placing the expiry of mandates for office bearers on February 14, 2026, and outlining a plan to organise elections at lower structural levels within days as a precursor to a general assembly.

Banda, in his recorded statement, framed his action as a response to what he described as a lapse in administrative authority, positioning himself as an interim figure to oversee internal restructuring. He stated that elections at lower levels would form the basis for rebuilding party structures before any broader national process is undertaken.

Chisanga said the development comes at a time when the governing party has indicated intentions to convene a convention in line with constitutional requirements, a move he linked to pressure from internal party members demanding compliance.

He framed the situation as a test of how institutions respond to disputes within political organisations, stressing that decisions taken now would carry consequences beyond the immediate controversy. He called on government and state institutions to apply the law with attention to both intended and unintended outcomes.

At the same time, the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) issued directives to Millennium Radio following its broadcast of Banda’s declaration, describing the content as false and misleading and requiring the station to strengthen editorial controls. The Authority ordered a review of sourcing processes and demanded a compliance report, warning that breaches of broadcasting standards could attract regulatory action, including possible licence cancellation.

The directive followed the station’s airing of a video in which Banda claimed control of the UPND leadership. The Authority stated that such content had the potential to affect public peace and order, placing the broadcast within the scope of regulatory intervention.

The development places the dispute on two fronts, with political reactions unfolding alongside regulatory enforcement that directly addresses how the claim was disseminated.

Chisanga also addressed reports that police had visited Millennium Radio following the broadcast, questioning the basis of the action and stating that the station had merely provided a platform for a political statement before issuing an apology.

He said the visit raises concerns about press freedom, noting that the constitution guarantees the right of media institutions to operate without undue interference. He called for clarity on the role of law enforcement in matters involving media coverage of political developments.

The spokesperson referenced ongoing legal disputes surrounding the Patriotic Front (PF), noting that leadership wrangles within the former ruling party have been before the courts for several years. He said judicial outcomes in those cases have influenced how leadership disputes are perceived and managed.

Chisanga cited a previous court decision involving PF leadership, stating that questions had been raised about how a convention was recognised despite internal contestation. He said such rulings have implications for how similar disputes are interpreted across the political landscape.

Turning to the current situation, he said the declaration by Banda reflects broader concerns about adherence to party constitutions and the rule of law. He said claims that mandates within UPND structures had expired would require a structured and lawful response from the party.

He added that the individual at the centre of the dispute had called for elections in lower party organs, a move he said implies that those structures also require renewal before a national convention can be held. According to Chisanga, this sequence would need to be followed strictly if the party is to demonstrate compliance with its own rules.

Chisanga said expectations are that UPND, as the governing party, should demonstrate adherence to legal standards and avoid actions that could be interpreted as punitive against dissenting members. He urged the party to handle the matter with restraint and within established legal frameworks.

He further linked the incident to wider political tensions, stating that disputes affecting opposition parties and other political organisations have been handled in ways that, in his view, have contributed to fragmentation within those groups.

He cited ongoing developments involving other parties, including internal disagreements and challenges to party conventions, and said institutions responsible for overseeing compliance must act strictly within the law.

Chisanga also referred to a letter circulating on social media concerning another political party, stating that authorities should assess such matters based on statutory requirements rather than external influence.

He said regulatory bodies must rely on established legal provisions when determining compliance, warning against actions that could undermine confidence in institutional processes.

The Tonse spokesperson said the current developments provide an opportunity for the governing party to demonstrate adherence to constitutional principles, particularly in handling internal disputes and respecting rights of members.

He added that political parties play a central role in governance and must operate within clear legal frameworks to maintain public trust, especially ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Chisanga said the unfolding situation would be closely watched, with expectations that all actors involved will adhere to legal standards in resolving the dispute.

VICTORIA, Mahé — Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie on Tuesday swore in a Commission of Inquiry into the 7 December 2023 Civil Construction Company Limited explosion, appointing Zambian Court of Appeal Judge Nicola Ann Sharpe-Phiri to chair proceedings in a move positioned around independence and accountability.

The ceremony at State House on 31 March 2026 formally launches an investigation into the explosion at the CCCL explosives storage facility in the Providence Industrial Estate on Mahé, an incident that caused widespread destruction and left key questions unresolved for more than two years.

Justice Sharpe-Phiri will lead the Commission alongside Guy Roucou and Dora Zatte, who serve as members. The composition places an external judicial figure at the centre of the inquiry, with authorities signalling that the process will operate free from interference or favour.

The appointment carries weight within both Seychelles and regional legal circles. Justice Sharpe-Phiri has served as a Judge of the Court of Appeal of Zambia since April 2021. Before that, she held office as a High Court Judge from 2011 to 2021, where she led the Family and Children’s Division.

Her professional profile includes fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) in both London and Zambia, alongside extensive experience as a commercial arbitrator. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Zambia and a Master’s degree in Human Rights, Conflict and Justice from SOAS University of London, bringing more than 30 years of legal practice to the role.

Justice Sharpe-Phiri is already embedded within Seychelles’ judicial framework. She was sworn in as a Non-Residential Justice of Appeal in December 2024, following a recommendation by the Constitutional Appointments Authority. Her familiarity with the Seychellois legal system, combined with her status as a foreign national, places her at the centre of an inquiry requiring credibility and institutional distance.

She is not the only Zambian jurist serving within the Seychelles judiciary. Justice Dominic Luther Yeta Sichinga, SC, was sworn in alongside her in December 2024 as a Non-Residential Justice of Appeal. Their presence reflects judicial ties between the two Commonwealth countries and signals continued collaboration at appellate level.

The Commission is tasked with examining the explosion that struck in the early hours of 7 December 2023, when four containers of explosives detonated at the CCCL facility. The blast was felt across Mahé and prompted then-President Wavel Ramkalawan to declare a state of emergency.

The scale of the damage placed the incident among the most severe industrial disasters in Seychelles’ modern history. Data from the Seychelles Health Care Agency recorded 178 casualties. The impact extended to the business sector, where 642 businesses sustained damage, and to residential areas, where approximately 1,400 residents were affected.

Among housing structures, 43 homes were severely damaged, 118 sustained moderate damage, and 269 required minor repairs. The destruction disrupted both economic activity and community stability across affected areas.

Authorities had raised concerns for nearly a decade about the storage of explosives at the CCCL site. Despite those warnings, the precise cause of the explosion was not publicly established, leaving a gap in official findings and accountability.

In the aftermath, government introduced relief measures to support affected residents and businesses. Even with those interventions, pressure persisted for a transparent accounting of what happened. Nearly a year after the explosion, residents and business owners staged protests, citing the absence of consequences for CCCL and the lack of public disclosure of a police inquiry report submitted to the Attorney General’s Office.

The establishment of the Commission directly addresses those concerns. By appointing an internationally recognised judge from outside Seychelles to lead proceedings, the administration has structured the inquiry to remove any perception of local influence tied to political or commercial interests.

President Herminie, who assumed office on 26 October 2025 following a run-off election, campaigned on commitments centred on justice, transparency and equality. The Commission forms part of that agenda, linking the inquiry process to broader institutional reforms promised during the election period.

For families and businesses still dealing with the consequences of the explosion, the Commission represents a shift from relief to formal accountability. The inquiry is expected to establish the full sequence of events, examine regulatory oversight, and determine responsibility tied to the storage and handling of explosives at the CCCL facility.

Authorities have indicated that the terms of reference and timeline for the Commission will be published in the coming days, setting the framework for hearings, evidence gathering and reporting.

The inquiry places a Zambian appellate judge at the centre of a national investigation into a major industrial disaster, with proceedings expected to address long-standing questions surrounding safety, oversight and accountability.

LUSAKA — Zambia’s fuel prices will rise from midnight after the Energy Regulation Board adjusted pump rates for April 2026, citing sharp increases in global oil prices and a weaker kwacha.

The adjustment follows a monthly review by the Energy Regulation Board, which recorded steep movements on the international market alongside exchange rate pressure. Petrol now moves to K27.15 per litre from K26.61, while diesel records the largest jump among major fuels, rising to K29.78 per litre from K23.25.

The Board anchors the change to global price shifts. Petrol on the international market climbed to US$114.51 per barrel from US$70.32, while diesel rose to US$162.61 per barrel from US$84.74. Kerosene and Jet A-1 recorded the steepest increase, reaching US$169.92 per barrel from US$83.95, a surge that feeds directly into domestic pricing.

The exchange rate added pressure during the same review window. The kwacha weakened slightly from K19.18 to K19.30 per US dollar, tightening import costs for fuel procurement. That movement compounds the global price rise, feeding into the final pump adjustments.

Government has moved to cushion the impact through fiscal measures. Authorities have suspended excise duty and applied zero-rated Value Added Tax on petrol and diesel for a three-month window from April to June 2026. The intervention aims to steady supply and reduce the immediate burden on consumers, even as underlying costs continue to rise.

Despite the intervention, the domestic adjustments remain pronounced across key products. Diesel posts an increase of K6.53 per litre, representing a 28.09 percent rise, while kerosene climbs by K11.19 per litre, translating to a 53.13 percent increase. Jet A-1 records the sharpest upward movement at K12.35 per litre, a 55.16 percent rise.

Petrol, while increasing, shows a comparatively smaller shift of K0.54 per litre, equivalent to a 2.03 percent change. The variation reflects differences in international pricing patterns across petroleum products during the review period.

The Board maintains that the price movements reflect external cost drivers rather than domestic policy shifts alone. International oil market volatility remains the dominant factor, with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East pushing prices upward during the review cycle.

Fuel pricing in Zambia remains linked to import parity, meaning global price movements transmit quickly into local pump prices. The structure leaves limited room for shielding consumers when global markets move sharply, placing pressure on fiscal tools such as tax adjustments.

The government’s temporary tax suspension signals an effort to stabilise both supply and affordability in the short term. The measure also aims to avoid supply disruptions that can arise when import costs outpace local pricing structures.

Transport operators, industry players and households are expected to feel the effect of the diesel adjustment most directly. Diesel remains the backbone of Zambia’s logistics and production systems, meaning shifts at the pump tend to cascade into broader cost structures across sectors.

Kerosene and Jet A-1 increases carry implications for aviation and low-income household energy use, where kerosene remains a fallback fuel in some areas. The magnitude of the increases points to sustained pressure across both transport and energy consumption patterns.

The Energy Regulation Board states that the revised prices will remain in force until the next review cycle. The adjustment takes effect at midnight on 31 March 2026, marking the start of the April pricing window.