MMD THREATENS TO REPORT IG TO THE ICJ, IF POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND POLICE BRUTALITY DOESN’T STOP
The Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) notes with profound outrage and deep concern the rapidly deteriorating state of our democracy under the current administration. We are witnessing a systematic, state-sponsored pattern of police brutality, intimidation, and political violence directed at opposition leaders by the Zambia Police Service.
As the MMD, We wish to issue a stern and final warning to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Graphel Musamba that If this blatant weaponization of the police against the opposition does not stop immediately, the MMD, working alongside other progressive democratic forces, will not hesitate to report him to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) for human rights abuses and state-sponsored violence against peaceful citizens.
The events of the past few days have been nothing short of a national disgrace. In Western Province, we saw the shocking and barbaric conduct of UPND cadres who, in full view of the police, violently attacked the convoy of Tonse / NRPUP Presidential Candidate, Hon. Brian Mundubile. Rather than protecting innocent citizens and maintaining law and order, the Zambia Police Service shamelessly joined in the suppression of the opposition. They disrupted duly notified rallies in Mongu and Kalabo, firing teargas indiscriminately.
It is an abomination and a total breakdown of the rule of law that the police would have the audacity to fire teargas in the presence of a presidential candidate Hon. Brian Mundubile, as well as a highly respected senior citizen and member of the Lozi Royal Family, Prince Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika. Prince Lewanika is the Co-founder of the MMD.
As if the atrocities in Western Province were not enough, today in Chingola, Copperbelt Province, the Zambia Police Service unlawfully blocked the Citizens First (CF) Presidential Candidate, Hon. Harry Kalaba, from conducting his campaigns. This was done despite the fact that Hon. Kalaba is strictly following the official campaign calendar issued by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
The ECZ calendar is a legally binding schedule, not a mere suggestion to be discarded at the whim of the ruling party or the Inspector General of Police. By blocking opposition candidates from campaigning when the ECZ has clearly allocated them the time and space to do so, the police are deliberately orchestrating an uneven playing field and setting the stage for an illegitimate election.
Politically motivated violence and regional division have no place in our society. We are one people and one nation, bound together by deep ties of intermarriage among citizens from every region across Zambia.
The MMD demands the following with immediate effect:
1. The Inspector General of Police must immediately instruct all commanding officers to respect the ECZ electoral calendar and allow all opposition candidates to campaign freely without intimidation.
2. The immediate arrest and prosecution of the cadres responsible for the violence in Western Province.
3. The Electoral Commission of Zambia must step up and publicly condemn the police for interfering with its official campaign schedule.
We wish to remind the Inspector General of Police that he bears personal command responsibility for the actions of his officers. International law is clear on the prosecution of individuals who use state machinery to suppress, brutalize, and violate the human rights of political opponents. The ICJ and ICC exist precisely to hold such individuals accountable when domestic institutions are compromised.
To the Zambian people, we say, remain resolute. No amount of teargas, violence or police blockades will silence the winds of change blowing across our nation. The MMD stands in solidarity with all opposition leaders currently facing persecution.
Issued by:
Hon. Gaston Sichilima
Acting President
Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD)