MUNDUBILE WARNS DEMOCRACY ‘GOING TO THE GRAVE’ AHEAD OF POLLS
Zambia’s democratic standing has come under renewed scrutiny after Tonse Alliance President Hon. Brian Mundubile warned that the country’s democracy is “going to the grave” ahead of the August 13 presidential elections. His remarks add to growing political tension as the nation prepares for a crucial vote.
Mundubile, who is also a Member of Parliament and a leading presidential aspirant, accused the government of shrinking democratic space and allegedly weaponizing state institutions against opposition figures. He claimed that the environment is becoming increasingly hostile for those seeking political office outside the ruling establishment.
President Hakainde Hichilema, who is seeking re-election, faces mounting criticism from rivals over the high cost of living, including rising fuel, electricity, and mealie meal prices, alongside persistent unemployment. These economic pressures are increasingly shaping the political narrative ahead of the polls.
In a detailed account, Mundubile alleged that state security agencies recently subjected him to unlawful treatment at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. He said three of his mobile phones were seized, searched without a warrant, and that he was detained and interrogated for nearly ten hours without being formally charged.
He described the incident as a violation of his constitutional rights and an example of the treatment opposition leaders are facing. Mundubile argued that such actions undermine the rule of law and raise serious concerns about the protection of civil liberties in Zambia.
The opposition leader has since appealed to the international community, including SADC, the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom, to monitor Zambia’s political environment. He warned that democratic backsliding is occurring in full view of the global community.
Mundubile also questioned whether he and other opposition candidates would be allowed to participate freely in the elections, citing his recent arrests and what he described as an attempted arrest shortly before Easter. He warned that the nomination period could be particularly challenging for opposition contenders.
He further cited cases involving opposition figures such as Emmanuel Mwamba, Emmanuel JJ Banda, and businessman Valden Findley, alleging a pattern of intimidation. Mundubile claimed Zambia risks drifting toward a system where dissent is suppressed through heavy-handed tactics rather than lawful processes.
Observers note that Zambia’s governance environment is attracting increased scrutiny, with concerns reportedly raised by international organisations including the US State Department, Amnesty International, the United Nations Human Rights Commission, and the Law Association of Zambia. As the elections approach, the country faces a defining test of its democratic credentials.