Süwi the Conqueror

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14th September 2026 ZAMBIA'S DESCENT INTO LAWLESSNESS: A CALL TO DEFEND CONSTITUTIONALISM, DUE PROCESS AND THE RULE OF LAW We, the undersigned Zambian civil society organisations, are issuing this statement to express our grave concern at a pattern of conduct by the Zambian Government in the weeks before, during, and after the 13th August general election; conduct that, taken together, points to a deliberate and escalating disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law, due process, constitutionalism, and the human rights of Zambian citizens. We are issuing this statement one day before the world marks the International Day of Democracy on 15th September, a day set aside by the United Nations to reflect on the state of democracy across the globe. We call on all Zambians, and on the international community, to mark this year's Day of Democracy by reflecting soberly on what we set out below. We highlight three developments that, in our view, form part of a troubling pattern: First, the arbitrary cancellation of passports without due process. Six citizens' passports were cancelled by government gazette notice, with no hearing and no opportunity to challenge the decision. Those affected include former Ambassador to Ethiopia Emmanuel Mwamba, academic Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa, and two former Members of Parliament. Second, treason and sedition charges against opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu, who have been detained since late August without being brought before a court. We are further gravely concerned for 18 other detainees held in connection with these matters, over allegations made in a court petition under oath of unlawful detention, denial of access to lawyers and family, and torture, including waterboarding. Third, a growing trend of abductions, illustrated by the arrest of sitting Member of Parliament Honourable Faith Munthali, which we believe echoes a wider pattern of abduction-style detentions of government critics and opposition figures. We do not view these as isolated incidents. Taken together, they amount to a constitutional crisis, breaching guarantees on freedom of movement, personal liberty, and the right to a fair hearing. We call on the Government of the Republic of Zambia to: restore the cancelled passports; bring all detainees before the courts without further delay, or withdraw the charges; independently and transparently investigate all allegations of torture; end any practice amounting to enforced disappearance; and restore and consistently observe the rule of law, due process, and the separation of powers. We further call on government to take concrete steps to restore public confidence in the integrity and independence of our constitutional and public offices, including the Judiciary, the Defence Force, law enforcement wings, and the Electoral Commission. We further urge the Government to convene an inclusive national dialogue bringing together government, opposition, civil society and faith communities. We also call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the Commonwealth, SADC, and United Nations human rights mechanisms to engage directly with the Zambian Government on these concerns, and not to look away. Signed by: Linda Kasonde Executive Director, LCK Freedom Foundation For and on behalf of: Advocates for Democratic Governance Foundation Caritas Zambia Chapter One Foundation Free Press Initiative Zambia LCK Freedom Foundation Full statement attached below. @UNHumanRights @SADC_News @commonwealthsec @achpr_cadhp @IBAHRI @cla_lawyers @LawyersofAfrica @AmnestySARO @hrw @cnni @BBCAfrica @ReutersAfrica @nytimes @RFIAfrique @DeutscheWelle @SABCNews @FreedomLck @CofZambia