‎CHARLES CHANDA CALLS FOR CITIZEN RESILIENCE AND UNITY IN 2026
‎
‎The leader of the United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ), Charles Chanda, has urged Zambians to remain resilient as they prepare for the 2026 general elections.

‎
‎In his New Year message, Chanda reflected on the many challenges faced by the nation in 2025 and emphasized the importance of unity and peace.

‎
‎“Last year was tough for many of us,” Chanda stated. “People faced hardships, including rising prices and unemployment. But we must not lose hope. Together, we can overcome these obstacles.”

‎
‎Chanda called on Zambians to promote peaceful discussions and cooperation as the country heads toward the elections in August. “As we enter this election period, it is crucial that we preach peace,” he said. “We must work together, regardless of our differences. A united Zambia is a strong Zambia.”

‎
‎He also highlighted the need for active participation in the upcoming elections. “Each vote matters,” Chanda reminded citizens. “I encourage everyone to make their voices heard. This is our chance to shape the future of our country.”

‎
‎Chanda’s message aimed to inspire hope and resilience among Zambians facing ongoing challenges. “Let us support one another and build a better Zambia for all,” he concluded.

‎
‎As the nation looks forward to 2026, Chanda’s call for unity and strength serves as a reminder of the power of collective action in building a brighter future for Zambia.
‎

UPND Alliance Declares 2025 a Year of National Recovery

The UPND Alliance has proclaimed 2025 a pivotal year for national recovery, emphasizing the restoration of the rule of law and economic stabilization as key achievements of the administration.

In a recent media engagement in Lusaka, spokesperson Leslie Chikuse noted that Zambia has shifted from a period of fear to one of productivity and peace, with markets and bus stations now free from intimidation and illegal fees.

He highlighted the successful management of agriculture, resulting in a bumper harvest of 3.7 million metric tonnes of maize, despite earlier drought challenges, attributing this success to timely support for farmers and climate-smart policies.

Additionally, Chikuse pointed to a decrease in inflation to 10.9% and recent credit rating upgrades from Fitch and S&P as signs of improved economic health. He also welcomed President Hakainde Hichilema’s declaration of December 29 as an annual public holiday.

🇿🇲 VIEWPOINT | Archbishop Banda, the State, & the PF Money Trail

The Drug Enforcement Commission’s decision to summon Archbishop Alick Banda to appear before its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit has landed like a thunderclap at the start of 2026. The notice, dated 31 December 2025 and issued under Section 26(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001, requires the Archbishop of Lusaka to report to DEC offices on 5 January. It is not a charge. It is not a conviction. It is a summons to explain.

This distinction matters. But so does the context.

First, the facts.
DEC has confirmed that the summons is part of ongoing anti-money laundering inquiries. Archbishop Banda has previously been linked, in open court and official records, to vehicles that investigators say were irregularly acquired. In December 2023, DEC seized a Toyota Hilux (registration ALF 7734) that had been gifted to him. In September 2024, he was named in the Economic and Financial Crimes Court as one of the beneficiaries of vehicles irregularly disposed of by senior Zambia Revenue Authority officials.

Evidence before court showed that the beneficiaries did not pay for those vehicles. The Archbishop later forfeited the Hilux to the State. These are not rumours. They are matters of public record.

Against this background, a summons under the Anti-Money Laundering Act is procedurally unsurprising. When investigators believe there are issues requiring clarification, they call people in. Clergy are not exempt from the law. Nor should they be.

Second, the sensitivity.
The Catholic Church in Zambia is not an ordinary institution. It has perceived powerful moral voice, historically vocal on governance, corruption, and social justice. Archbishop Banda himself has been among the most outspoken clerics in recent years, sharply critical of the UPND regime and strongly opposed to constitutional reforms such as Bill 7. He also played a visible role in the Edgar Lungu burial saga in South Africa, aligning closely with the Lungu family and PF figures at a time of intense political tension.

This history explains why this summons is being read politically, whether DEC likes it or not.

Within PF circles, the narrative is already forming. Party supporters argue that the State is “targeting the Church” to weaken a perceived ally of the opposition. Some PF figures privately describe the summons as part of a broader strategy to “dry up opposition money” ahead of the 2026 elections, which will be fought across an expanded parliamentary map. Others claim the Catholic Church is being intimidated because it is seen as a platform capable of mobilising public sentiment against government.

These claims, however, remain claims. No evidence has been presented that the summons itself is politically directed. What exists, instead, is a documented trail of questions around assets and benefits that investigators are duty-bound to examine.
Third, the wider political moment.
Zambia is entering an election year.

Historically, election cycles attract intensified scrutiny of money flows. Campaigns cost money. By-elections have already exposed how cash-strapped opposition parties are. PF figures themselves have publicly admitted that party finances are strained and that individuals are self-funding operations. At the same time, there is growing public awareness of how political actors in the past used shell accounts, proxies, and gifts to move or conceal resources.

Against this backdrop, a more aggressive enforcement posture by DEC is not unexpected. Our sources within enforcement agencies say investigators are “leaving no blind spots” as 2026 approaches. This includes politicians, business figures, NGOs, and religious institutions where financial flows intersect with politics. These sources insist the objective is prevention, not persecution.

Fourth, the uncomfortable question.
If there is nothing improper, transparency should resolve the matter. A summons is an opportunity to explain, not a verdict. Yet the intensity of the reaction from PF-aligned voices raises its own questions. Why frame a routine AML process as an existential attack? Why mobilise outrage before facts are tested?
Equally, the State must tread carefully.

Zambia’s history offers painful lessons about how heavy-handed action against the Church can backfire, eroding trust and feeding narratives of repression. If this process is to command legitimacy, it must be strictly lawful, professional, and insulated from political theatrics. Any hint of selective enforcement would damage not only DEC but the broader anti-corruption agenda.

Finally, the principle.
This moment is bigger than Archbishop Banda. It is about whether Zambia can hold two ideas at once: that the Church has a vital moral role in national life, and that no individual or institution is above financial scrutiny. Accountability does not negate faith. Faith does not confer immunity.

At The People’s Brief, our position is simple and consistent. Facts matter. Process matters. History matters. The Archbishop is entitled to dignity, due process, and the presumption of innocence. The State is entitled to ask hard questions where public records and evidence justify them.

The coming days will test all sides. How DEC conducts itself. How the Church responds. How politicians exploit or restrain themselves.

© The People’s Brief | Editors

CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP ALICK BANDA SUMMONED BY DEC FOR QUESTIONING

ARCHBISHOP DR ALICK BANDA SUMMONED

The Drug Enforcement Commission of Zambia has summoned Archbishop Alick Banda of the Archdiocese of Lusaka to appear before its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit.

The letter, dated 31 December 2025 and issued by the Republic of Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission, instructs Alick Banda to report to DEC offices in Lusaka on 5 January 2026 at 10:00 hours.

The summons is issued under Section 26(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001 and is signed by the Head of the AMLIU on behalf of the Director General.

Historically, the Catholic church held quasi-sovereign status in some regions making it difficult to prosecute a clergyman.

However, contemporary Zambian jurisprudence operates under a system where the state maintains supremacy in matters of criminal law enforcement.

If investigations reveal sufficient evidence of wrongdoing that meets the threshold for criminal charges under Zambian law, and subsequently, a conviction is secured in a competent court, then imprisonment is a viable punitive measure against Archbishop Dr Banda.

In 2024, the commission seized a motor vehicle belonging to the Archbishop, which was allegedly a gift from the late Sixth Republican President, His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

By Given Mutinta

CONFUSED PF LEADERSHIP: ONE OF THE GOOD REASONS TO RETAIN PRESIDENT HICHILEMA IN 2026

In an audio recording that has gone viral, Kambwili is heard accusing Mundubile, a member of parliament from Mporokoso and a candidate for president of the Patriotic Front (PF), of being a thief who ought to be put behind bars for taking funds meant for road constructions that he never delivered, while Kashishi is accusing Kambwili of stealing rail lines.

This is a tale we have been hearing for the past four years: the fractured PF leadership accusing and hiring and firing each other, heavily focused on individual presidential ambitions rather than cohesive policy platforms.

If the PF leaders have been unable to address their internal disputes in the last four years, they will certainly remain unresolved come the 2026 elections, giving the indication of an alternative not ready to govern.

At this point, we must be realistic, as governing a country is a serious issue. If the PF was an effective opposition, it should have already presented a comprehensive manifesto outlining how it would handle the country’s debt, attract foreign direct investment, and diversify the economy better than the United Party for National Development (UPND).

Seven months before the elections, no opposition leader has consolidated a unified message or presented a policy blueprint that demonstrably surpasses the framework currently being implemented by the UPND government – a serious cause for concern in the paradigm of good governance.

Therefore, prematurely introducing the PF and disrupting this emerging economic recovery—without clarity on its direction, lacking leadership, and devoid of a clearly superior policy framework—can undermine the UPND’s hard-earned economic gains and hinder the progress of ongoing structural reforms.

Therefore, maintaining the UPND-led government until 2031 is the most prudent course to safeguard ongoing economic stabilisation and avoid plunging the nation back into uncertainty due to fragmented and undefined alternative PF leadership.

The initial mandate of the UPND government centred on immediate fiscal discipline and debt restructuring. Since 2021, substantial progress has been made in navigating the complexities of the G20 Common Framework, a process that, while protracted, signals a commitment to sustainable fiscal health, as about 52% of the debt has been restructured.

This improved trajectory is evident in key indicators. Inflation, which had soared to multi-year highs, has shown sustained deceleration, providing essential relief to the average consumers.

Furthermore, efforts to curb non-essential public expenditure and bolster domestic revenue mobilisation have begun to yield fruit, creating a more predictable operating environment for foreign investors. This relative stability, manifesting as predictable foreign exchange movements and gradual improvements in key economic indices, represents a significant achievement that must be protected.

In addition, the effectiveness of a government is often measured against the viable alternatives presented to the electorate. Currently, no major PF figure or grouping has successfully presented a policy blueprint that demonstrably surpasses the UPND’s current approach to debt management, energy security, or investment attraction. The existing government, despite facing implementation hurdles, operates on a defined economic roadmap supported by international partners.

Replacing this established framework with one based on nascent ideas driven by leaders currently preoccupied with internal succession battles can introduce an unnecessary layer of systemic risk into the national economy.

Furthermore, political certainty inherently links with economic confidence. It is inherently risky to introduce a transition that aims to replace the current leadership before achieving its stated economic goals. Major infrastructure projects, investment pledges secured through recent diplomatic efforts, and the ongoing negotiations with multilateral lenders all depend on the continuity of policy implementation and predictable political outcomes.

Thus, a premature political shakeup in 2026, motivated by dissatisfaction with the pace of change rather than outright failure, could easily result in capital flight, currency depreciation – which is performing well against major currencies – and the stalling of critical macroeconomic stabilisation efforts.

Such instability would effectively undo the relative gains achieved since 2021, returning the country to a precarious position akin to the pre-2021 era.

Looking at the immediate chaotic political reality of the PF, which lacks the cohesive structure and superior policy vision required to warrant a change in leadership, and the country’s current benefits from economic stability and structured policy engagement that were lacking in previous years, retaining the UPND government would be the most prudent course for ensuring sustained national economic recovery.

Kambwili vows to finish off Mundubile

THE PF presidential race has taken a nasty personal turn with acid-mouthed candidate Chishimba Kambwili vowing to “finish” fellow aspirant Brian Mundubile.

In a heated phone conversation between the political leopard and PF Northern Province information publicity secretary Charles Kashishi, Kambwili swore that he would get Mundubile arrested soon.

Kambwili accused the afro-raring Mporokoso Member of Parliament of being a thief who allegedly issued invoices for work that was never done.

The former cabinet minister further alleged that Mundubile was sending surrogates, including Kashishi, to fight his battles.

He boasted that unlike Mundubile, he had never stolen from the people of Zambia.

“If you are supporting a person who lives in glass houses, don’t throw stones. I have all the evidence against Mundubile and his theft. If I say it now, you won’t like it. You should go and tell Mundubile that if he’s fighting me through you, tell him that I will finish him,” he told Kashishi.

“Let’s face it, you will see, Mundubile will be arrested.”

Kambwili said he possessed a thick load of explosive evidence showing Mundubile stealing from his people.

However, when contacted for a comment, Kambwili fled from Kalemba’s call and handed his phone to his grandchildren, who said he was not around.

The grandchildren further told Kalemba that the phone number now belonged to them and was only being used for playing.

“Grandpa is not around, he has given us this one. This is now our phone,” they said.

When Kalemba asked for Kambwili’s purported active number, a gentleman who introduced himself as the son-inlaw got the phone from the kids and assured Kalemba that Kambwili would call back once he was home.

Mundubile also ignored Kalemba’s three calls.

Meanwhile, PF acting president Given Lubinda has also been trading blows with party leaders, having removed Mandevu MP Christopher Shakafuswa and others from their positions.

Lubinda recently lamented on live television that he was the only one funding the PF faction.

In response, Shakafuswa demanded that Lubinda names the projects he has personally funded so far.

On the other hand, Davies Mwila has thrown his weight behind Mundubile’s candidature, while senior party members Jean Kapata, Godfridah Sumaili and others have endorsed Makebi Zulu.

Lubinda has also expelled fellow presidential aspirant Dr Chitalu Chilufya from the party for voting in favour of Bill 7.

But Dr Chilufya dismissed the expulsion, stating that no one had expelled him and declaring that he would soon become PF president.

By Catherine Pule

Kalemba, December 31, 2025

MPs WHO VOTED FOR BILL 7 REMAIN EXPELLED FROM PF – LUBINDA

Patriotic Front (PF) faction Acting President Given Lubinda has maintained that Members of Parliament who voted in support of Act No. 13 of 2025, formerly Bill 7, remain expelled from the party, describing their actions as gross indiscipline.

Mr. Lubinda said the affected MPs dug their own political graves by supporting the bill, stating that the party had already shown them the way out for betraying its principles.

He explained that by voting for the bill, the MPs betrayed the trust of Zambians, their electorates, and the party that adopted them into public office.

Speaking at a media briefing, the former Justice Minister noted that history has consistently shown that leaders who betray the people’s trust ultimately destroy both their political careers and the parties they support.

Mr. Lubinda further charged that the Zambian people  would be the final judges of the MPs’ actions, insisting that their support for Bill 7 amounted to serious indiscipline within the party.

By: Thomas Afroman Mwale
SunFmTvNews

‎I WONDERS WHERE SOME PF PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS GET FUNDS FROM – CK
‎… When everybody is complaining about lack of money

‎
‎
‎
‎PF presidential aspirant Chishimba Kambwili says some PF presidential aspirants have too much money they are spending in the part presidential campaigns when everybody in the country is complaining about lack of money.

‎
‎In an interview with Daily Revelation yesterday, Kambwili said he was still trying to find answers over the source of the money some PF presidential aspirants were expanding in the campaigns.

‎
‎He said he still had not gotten answers in that regard from the time he made revelations that some candidates were leaving K25,000s
‎
‎https://dailyrevelationzambia.com/i-wonder-where-some-pf-presidential-aspirants-get-funds-from-ck-when-everybody-is-complaining-about-lack-of-money/

POLITICS THAT LEAD TO NOWHERE – KAMBWILI’S ATTACKS AGAINST MUNDUBILE

I listened to a phone conversation of an audio that has gone viral.

One caller is identified as Kambwili and another as Kashishi.

I have no way of independently verifying the authenticity of these voices.

However, the principle I wish to speak to is that opposition attacking opposition is a road that leads to nowhere.

This is because opposition politics must lead to one particular direction – the formation of the next government.

And you move in this direction by offering alternative policies to those of the incumbent.

Personal attacks are the excuses used to cover up deficiencies in policy dialogue.

It’s the kind of tactics employed in densely populated areas among quarreling neighbors marked by the exchange of unprintables shouted loud enough for all to hear.

The Zambian voter has seen this too many times to be swayed.

Voters stand to benefit absolutely nothing from personal attacks.

Voters are intelligent enough to know that Mundubile has been attacking the UPND policy stunts since they came into office.

If they have known of any wrongdoing about him, why haven’t they arrested him all along?

He recently categorically accused them of bribing parliamentarians so that they could vote in favor of Bill 7, wouldn’t they have hit back at him?

Who would be in possession of the record of unfulfilled invoices between government and Kambwili?

These attacks can only be interpreted one way – Mundubile must be looking politically too good for some people.

The opposition must condemn in no uncertain terms attacks against anyone within their ranks.

The effort now must be to close ranks and present a united front against a very formidable candidate.

Make no mistake: taking on Hichilema is not going to be an easy undertaking however you choose to discredit his record in office.

It’s therefore naive, utter carelessness and politically suicidal to turn the salvos against Hichilema  unto a fellow opposition leader.

It’s a luxury the opposition can ill-afford.

ZAMBIA’S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK BRIGHTENS AHEAD OF 2026 SAYS ECONOMIC EXPERT YUSUF DODIA

ECONOMIC expert Yusuf Dodia says Zambia’s economic outlook remains promising, anchored on ongoing reforms in the energy sector.

Mr. Dodia notes that the country’s transition into solar energy and the implementation of the Electricity Open Access Framework are key measures helping to reduce the power deficit.

He explains that the reforms are opening space for increased private sector participation, easing pressure on the national grid and supporting growth in productive sectors such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing.

Looking ahead to 2026, Mr.Dodia says the success of these policies will depend on consistent and disciplined implementation across sectors. He believes sustained reforms could boost investment inflows, create jobs and strengthen overall economic performance.

He has, however, cautioned that strong political will, effective regulation and timely execution of projects will be critical to ensure that the benefits of these policies are felt by ordinary Zambians.

Mr. Dodia was speaking this morning on Roanfm’s weekly economic review radio programme.

Roanfm Newsroom

PAOGZ WELCOMES PRESIDENTIAL PRONOUNCEMENT ON CHRISTIAN NATION DELCLARATION

PAOG-Z warmly welcomes the call by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, to ring-fence the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation.

This is a timely and commendable step toward the consolidation and institutionalization of a spiritual heritage that has shaped our national identity and moral compass.

This move rightly builds on the historic foundations laid by the late Frederick Chiluba, who courageously declared Zambia a Christian nation, and is further strengthened by the legacy of the late Edgar Lungu, who designated 18 October as the National Day of Prayer and Fasting. and Reconciliation. Together, these milestones reflect a consistent national journey of acknowledging God in our public life.

Ring-fencing this declaration affirms continuity across administrations, safeguards its intent for future generations, and provides a clear framework for faith-inspired values, such as integrity, justice, compassion, unity, and servant leadership, to inform governance and national development. It also reassures the faith community that Zambia’s spiritual foundations are not merely symbolic, but responsibly anchored within our constitutional and institutional life.

We therefore commend President Hicilema for this pronouncement and encourage broad, inclusive engagement across the Body of Christ to ensure that the Christian nation declaration continues to foster peace, mutual respect, national cohesion, and the common good for all Zambians.

Bishop Prof.  Joshua  HK  Banda, PhD
Presiding  Bishop

FDD HITS BACK AT PRESIDENT HICHILEMA OVER CALL FOR UNITY

THE Forum for Democracy and Development – FDD has described President Hakainde Hichilema’s appeal to the church to promote unity and love as hypocritical.

FDD National Spokesperson Anthony Chibuye says the remarks come against a backdrop of what he calls continued hostility towards the church by the UPND Administration.

Mr. Chibuye alleges that clergymen who have criticised government policies, including Bill Number Seven, were dismissed and subjected to insults from ruling party cadres.

He says President Hichilema’s call to the church to foster unity is contradictory, arguing that the New Dawn Administration has presided over a divisive leadership style.

Mr. Chibuye further criticised what he termed the politicisation of the church, accusing some bishops and pastors of being compromised and issuing statements that favour the ruling party.

He has also questioned government’s intention to gazette 29th December as a public holiday, suggesting the move is politically motivated and meant to rival the 18th of October, previously declared a National Day of Prayer and Fasting.

RFM

FRANK MUTUBILA’S END OF YEAR MESSAGE

Today, on the eve of 2026, I clock 55 years in the media. It has been a long and exciting journey, one that has allowed me to serve my country and seven Presidents. It has been an honour to know these Presidents up close and personal and to witness leadership from different perspectives.

I experienced President Kaunda and his wisdom of One Zambia One Nation. I witnessed President Chiluba and his wit and the advent of multiparty democracy. I saw President Levy Mwanawasa and his genuine fight against corruption. I observed President Rupiah Banda and a period of strong economic activity. I covered President Michael Sata and his shrewdness and the push for increased infrastructure development. I saw under President Edgar Lungu the irritating tendencies of carderism and massive infrastructure development. I now witness President Hakainde Hichilema’s efforts to economic growth and the controversy surrounding Bill 7. Through all this, I have seen many facets of leadership.

Yet in all these years, the fortunes of ordinary citizens have not improved significantly. With all its natural resources, Zambia should be heaven on earth, but it often feels like that promise is reserved mainly for foreign investors. Watching the majority of Zambians stand on the sidelines as their wealth is taken away in broad daylight, sometimes aided by our own leaders, it deeply breaks me. There have been moments when I have felt angry and hopeless.

Over the years, I have seen many of my broadcasting colleagues, voices that were louder and braver than mine, pass on, among them Charles Muyamwa, Charles Mando and recently Kenneth Maduma. At times I have felt alone, yet their spirits have urged me to continue. Like Jonnie Walker, I have walked on, and with God on my side I will continue walking, hopeful that one day I will see a better Zambia, a land of milk and honey, a true reflection of Kaunda’s One Zambia One Nation.

I thank you all for being part of my 55 year journey. It has been a stressful and often thankless service, yet a deeply fulfilling one, rooted in lifting the voices of the people. As I celebrate 55 years in the media today, the 31st of December, I would like to sincerely thank all the stations I have been associated with, ZNBC, BBC, Radio Deutsche Welle, Five FM, Radio Phoenix, Diamond TV, Prime TV and Capital FM and Daily Mail. I thank the listeners and viewers, readers, my family, especially my children, and all those who have been my sources of research. I extend special gratitude to my guests, without whom many programmes would not have been as rich. I thank my sister Daisy, who always wipes my tears when the going gets tough, as it has recently.

I thank the PF government for my diplomatic posting to Italy. I thank President Hakainde Hichilema for honouring me with the Zambia Insignia of Meritorious Achievement. I thank MISA for the honour of All Time Broadcaster. I thank Charles Muyamwa who trusted and employed me fifty five years ago. I thank Trinity Church and Miracle Life for their prayers. Above all, I thank God, my everything.

As the year ends and a new one dawns, I come before you, dear Heavenly Father, with a heart full of gratitude and anticipation. I thank you for carrying me through the years, for the lessons learned, the challenges overcome and the blessings received. Every moment of this journey has been a testimony of your faithfulness.

Tomorrow is a new day and a new year, a year of general and presidential elections. It is an opportunity to elect leaders not only to govern us but to legislate laws that ensure our wellbeing. When we look back at the performance of many Members of Parliament, it is clear that the majority have not represented our aspirations but their own pockets. Your word says we shall know them by their fruits, and indeed we know them.

The time has come to identify morally upright men and women who truly represent the people. It is our prayer that we shall emerge with a government that devises and implements policies that deliver development and improve the living conditions of the majority. We pray for a caring government, a united government, a government that truly upholds the principle of One Zambia One Nation. Thank you for being part of my journey and God bless
Zambia.

Talk with Frank

PF MPS BETRAYING THE COUNTRY

By Sampa ‘Mwaume’

It breaks my heart to see how PF MPs especially from the north and east have betrayed their people that elected them to dine with the ruling party UPND.

After losing power, PF numbers in parliament declined because a number of MPs like Andrew Lubusha, Sunday Chanda, Sibongile Mwamba, Majory Nakaponda etc started siding with the UPND.

Today Sibongile Mwamba calling herself PF Kasama Central MP can go and parade herself before UPND leaders and unveil a UPND mayoral candidate when her party through the Tonse Alliance is also participating in the by election. Bushe kwena tebuloshi ubu?

UPND has maintained loyalty from 3 provinces in the country from their time in opposition. This I can confess helped our democracy to flourish in some way, more especially when UPND was in opposition.

A constitutional democracy like ours needs strong participation of opposition groups to push those in power towards service delivery. Unfortunately, the UPND wants to capture the nation by remaining the only strong political party, indirectly killing multi-partism participatory democracy.

One thing am certain of is majority MPs in Zambia that have betrayed their political parties in opposition to dine with the ruling party, their political careers ended prematurely. Records are there.

UPND performed exceptionally well as main opposition and has tremendously failed as a ruling party in enhancing our democracy, instead they are shrinking it. Zambians need to think twice and put UPND were it fits most; OPPOSITION.

Even our Chiefs don’t have courage to visit their subjects in jails like we saw in the past when UPND leaders were arrested or jailed in opposition, some Chiefs used to camp in Lusaka for their subjects solidarity. Ours instead they would rather stay quiet or condemn their subjects.

Is it civility, ninsala olo nibu kuwe?

MAKEBI ZULU SHOULD STICK TO ANNOUNCING FUNERAL UPDATES

Makebi Zulu’s recent call for opposition unity ahead of the 2026 general elections is deeply ironic and intellectually dishonest.

This so-called appeal for unity, coming from a family spokesperson who has suddenly reinvented himself as a presidential aspirant, is nothing but political grandstanding. The dream of opposition unity that Makebi Zulu speaks of exists only in imagination. In fact, there is a higher chance of the devil being delivered than Zambia’s fragmented and power-hungry opposition uniting under one cause.

If Makebi Zulu truly believed in unity, peace, and national interest, he would have demonstrated these values during the saga surrounding the remains of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu. Had he exercised integrity, maturity, and genuine mediation, ECL would have been buried with dignity by now. Instead, the situation has been prolonged, politicised, and manipulated leaving the nation  embarrassed.

This raises a fundamental question: what exactly is Makebi Zulu hallucinating about?

Zambia’s opposition landscape is dominated by individuals driven by personal ambition, self-interest, and the pursuit of power not development. Their primary objective is not national transformation but access to state power and public resources.

Since Makebi Zulu began masquerading as a presidential candidate, what tangible policies has he presented to the Zambian people? How does he plan to address poverty, unemployment, debt, or service delivery? The answer is simple: none. His narrative revolves solely around changing power, largely because he believes that doing so would benefit his clients many of whom are facing corruption charges or are already behind bars.

This leads to an even more troubling concern: How does one aspire to lead a nation when they are publicly known as a lawyer for individuals convicted of stealing public resources? How can such a person credibly champion the fight against corruption?

Leadership demands moral authority, consistency, and demonstrated integrity. Unfortunately, Makebi Zulu’s words on unity are contradicted by his actions, his record, and the reality on the ground.

Makebi Zulu knows very well that no South African court will permit ECL’s remains to be buried in South Africa. He is fully aware that what is currently taking place is nothing more than an academic exercise.

That is why he has now resorted to playing politics his last remaining option after exhausting all other avenues. He can ask his intelligence sources in South Africa if he wishes but why even ask when he already knows that they have lost again.

I just wonder why the Zambian government has been this slow. If it was in my capacity ECL body would be in Zambia and hurried long time ago.

For now, perhaps he should focus on what he was entrusted with announcing funeral updates and leave national leadership rhetoric to those with vision, credibility, and a genuine commitment to Zambia’s future.

Sikaile C Sikaile
Sichifulo Constituency Aspiring MP 2026

ACTIVIST SAYS GOVT’S INACTION ON PUBLIC ORDER ACT INTENTIONAL

By Joseph Kaputula

Civil rights activist Brebner Changala has charged that delays by the UPND government to reform the Public Order Act only shows that it has no plans of reforming the Act and has intentionally decided to maintain it to disadvantage the opposition.

Mr. Changala has questioned why it has taken over 4 years for the UPND government to act on a promise made when it was in opposition.

He tells Phoenix News in an interview that if there is any government that should have prioritized the Public Order Act, it is the UPND because the party suffered under the Act when in opposition.

Mr. Changala has emphasized that 4 years is too long a period for the UPND not to conclude on the matter, alleging that the current regime has no intention to reform the Act.

He has also noted with concern that throughout the UPND’s rule, the opposition has often been denied permission to assemble and hold rallies, inflicting damage on Zambia’s constitutional democracy.

PHOENIX NEWS

IT IS TIME FOR A NATIONAL FLAG – MAKEBI ZULU

Lusaka, Tuesday, 30th December 2025

Presidential hopeful and Patriotic Front figure, Makebi Zulu, called today for national unity under a “national flag,” urging opposition leaders and citizens to rally behind a shared vision to deliver freedom, hope, and development to all Zambians

Speaking live on Facebook, Makebi Zulu said the country stood at a critical crossroads, where the choices of leaders would determine the future of the nation. He stressed that Zambia’s citizens were demanding leadership that prioritised service over self-interest, unity over division, and the people over personal ambition.

“The cry of the Zambian people was clear,” Makebi Zulu told viewers. “They were calling for hope, for truth, and for a united Zambia. This was not a call for many competing voices. It was a call for one national flag under which all who genuinely wished to serve could rally.”

Makebi Zulu addressed growing divisions within opposition parties, warning that competing presidential aspirants risked weakening the collective strength needed to challenge the ruling establishment. He called on opposition leaders to come together, speak with one voice, and support a single leadership direction.

“This is not a course of self-interest,” he said. “It is a course of service to the Zambian people. Loyalty must remain with the citizens of Zambia, not with those who fear their awakening. Unity built on compromise of values will never last; true unity must be anchored in clean hands, pure intentions, and an unwavering commitment to the people.”

He also reassured citizens that the August 2026 general elections would proceed as scheduled, calling on Zambians to prepare to make their voices count. “In August 2026, Zambia will hold an election that will determine the future of this country. We cannot afford to miss this moment, nor allow division to weaken our collective strength. History will judge harshly those who choose ego over national duty.”

Turning to the youth, Makebi Zulu highlighted their critical role in national development, stating that policies must empower young Zambians beyond election campaigns. He emphasised the importance of restoring faith in leadership and building a credible, united opposition committed to service, integrity, and national progress.

“The national flag is more than a symbol,” Makebi Zulu said. “It is a promise to restore hope, to serve the people faithfully, and to ensure that leadership is driven by principle rather than convenience. When leaders unite under this flag, they give the citizens of Zambia something to believe in again.”

The live session concluded with a direct call to action for opposition leaders and citizens alike to embrace unity, reject manipulation, and commit to a shared national mission.

“The time for hesitation has passed,” Makebi Zulu said. “The time for unity has come. It is time for a national flag.”

OPPOSITION UNITY IN ZAMBIA: PRINCIPLE, PURPOSE, OR POLITICAL CONVENIENCE?

In every electoral cycle, the call for opposition unity resurfaces in Zambia with renewed urgency. It is often presented as a moral imperative and a patriotic necessity. Yet as a nation committed to democratic maturity, WE MUST PAUSE AND INTERROGATE THIS CALL HONESTLY SOBERLY AND WITHOUT FEAR.

The fundamental question is not whether opposition parties can unite but WHY THEY SEEK TO DO SO.

Is unity merely a tactical response to the fear of splitting votes. Is it a short term arithmetic calculation aimed at defeating the incumbent. Or does it reflect A DEEPER CONVERGENCE OF VALUES POLICIES AND A SHARED VISION FOR ZAMBIA’S FUTURE.

THESE DISTINCTIONS MATTER.

In a multiparty democracy, the existence of diverse political parties is not a weakness. IT IS A STRENGTH. It reflects the plurality of ideas aspirations and solutions within society. Vote splitting therefore should not automatically be treated as a democratic sin. It becomes a problem only when parties lack CLARITY CONVICTION AND CONFIDENCE in the ideas they are offering to the Zambian people.

TRUE UNITY CANNOT BE BUILT ON FEAR ALONE.

Fear of losing. Fear of irrelevance. Fear of the incumbent’s strength. Such unity is fragile transactional and often collapses under the weight of ambition once power is within reach. Zambians have seen alliances formed in haste stitched together by convenience rather than principle only to unravel shortly after electoral victory.

We must therefore ask HOW WELL PREPARED ARE OPPOSITION PARTIES NOT JUST TO WIN AN ELECTION BUT TO GOVERN ZAMBIA.

Preparation is not measured by rallies slogans or social media noise. IT IS MEASURED BY CLEAR POLICY ALTERNATIVES institutional discipline internal democracy and a credible plan to manage the economy uphold the rule of law strengthen national unity and protect the vulnerable. Without these foundations unity risks becoming AN END IN ITSELF RATHER THAN A MEANS TO NATIONAL PROGRESS.

If opposition unity is driven solely by the desire to unseat the incumbent then IT OFFERS LITTLE COMFORT to citizens struggling with unemployment high living costs weak public services and declining trust in political leadership. Removing one government only to replace it with an unprepared or internally conflicted alternative DOES NOT ADVANCE DEMOCRACY. It merely recycles disappointment.

FOR UNITY TO BE MEANINGFUL IT MUST BE ANCHORED IN PURPOSE.

It must be rooted in shared principles constitutionalism accountability economic inclusion respect for institutions and national cohesion. It must be TRANSPARENT TO THE PUBLIC not negotiated in secrecy by political elites but explained clearly to citizens who deserve to know WHAT KIND OF GOVERNMENT IS BEING PROPOSED IN THEIR NAME.

ZAMBIA DOES NOT NEED UNITY FOR UNITY’S SAKE. It needs leadership with MORAL CLARITY intellectual seriousness and a genuine commitment to service. Whether parties choose to unite or compete independently the ultimate responsibility remains the same TO PRESENT THE PEOPLE WITH CREDIBLE CHOICES AND TO RESPECT THEIR VERDICT.

AS A COUNTRY LET US BE HONEST WITH OURSELVES.

Political unity is not a shortcut to legitimacy. LEGITIMACY IS EARNED THROUGH IDEAS INTEGRITY AND PREPAREDNESS TO GOVERN. Any call for unity that ignores these fundamentals RISKS WEAKENING RATHER THAN STRENGTHENING OUR DEMOCRACY.

THE FUTURE OF ZAMBIA DEPENDS NOT MERELY ON WHO WINS POWER BUT ON HOW POWER IS CONCEIVED PURSUED AND EXERCISED. Unity when it comes must therefore be A UNITY OF PURPOSE NOT JUST A COALITION OF AMBITION.

Charlotte Salivaji Naess (CSN)
#TheFutureIsBright🌅
30.12.25

‘Love fades between America and Zambia’
…is this a story of ‘darling to pariah’ unfolding? 

Amb. Anthoy Mukwita reflects-

“But beneath the jargon lies a more uncomfortable truth: Zambia has slipped from Washington’s priority list.”

31 Dec 2025.

Once upon a diplomatic time, Zambia was the darling of Washington, a poster child for democratic promise, a reliable partner in peacekeeping, and a beacon of stability in a turbulent region.

I know because Uncle Sam was my first ‘international love’ when in my teen twenties, 23 years thereabout, I flew into the US via a prestigious American program. T’was love at first bite.

That was 1994, fast forward to 1 January 2026, and that darling has been unceremoniously dumped. The separation is posted on the US embassy Zambia Facebook page.

Where is Zambia now on the visa line?

Uncle Sam has lumped us, Zambia, into a basket of 19 countries whose citizens will no longer be granted visas. The message is clear: “We loved you once, but now you’re just another problem to manage.”

The irony is thick. Zambia, a nation that once hosted American aid workers, scholars, and investors with open arms, probably the largest embassy building on the continent, now finds itself treated like a delinquent cousin at the family reunion.

The U.S. rationale, security concerns, immigration enforcement, and diplomatic leverage, reads like a bureaucratic laundry list.

But beneath the jargon lies a more uncomfortable truth: Zambia has slipped from Washington’s priority list.

This is not the first slap. Zambians already faced punitive visa fees and refundable bonds, a humiliating reminder that Uncle Sam doesn’t trust them to play by the rules.

Zambian B1/B2 visa applicants, under a U.S. pilot program started August 2025, must pay a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, determined at their interview, to curb visa overstays.

Crunch $15,000 you are talking about K333,000 before you can even purchase a return air ticket. Is it worth it for a person where a majority live on about $2 per day and dependent on US charity among others? 

Now, the outright ban escalates the insult. Students who dreamed of Ivy League halls, entrepreneurs who sought Silicon Valley partnerships, and families who cherished cultural exchange are all collateral damage in a geopolitical tantrum.

How did we hit rock bottom?

What changed? I can only but guess. The love story soured when Zambia began flirting with other suitors maybe, China’s infrastructure billions, Russia’s diplomatic overtures, and regional alliances that don’t always align with U.S. interests.

Add whispers of democratic backsliding and governance hiccups, and suddenly Zambia is no longer the “model African democracy” but a cautionary tale.

Washington, ever eager to project toughness, decided to make an example. I am just spit balling here.

The tragedy is not just symbolic. The ban undermines Zambia’s global image, grouping it with fragile states and conflict zones.

It sends a chilling signal to investors and partners: if the U.S. doesn’t trust Zambia, why should anyone else?

For a country striving to position itself as a hub of stability and opportunity, this is reputational kryptonite.

And yet, the satire writes itself. America, the self proclaimed champion of democracy, punishes Zambia for sins far less grave than those committed by other “strategic allies.”

The visa ban is less about Zambia’s failures and more about Washington’s ‘national interest’ which comes first. It is easier to close the door than to engage in messy dialogue.

Easier to lump Zambia with Somalia and Afghanistan than to admit that the relationship requires repair.

Because if that was the case, how come Saudi Arabia aint banned? Or Israel as Dave Chappelle would ask?

So where did the love go? It evaporated in the fog of shifting priorities, transactional diplomacy, and the cold calculus of immigration politics. Zambia is no longer the darling; it is the scapegoat.

But here’s the kicker: bans don’t build bridges, they burn them. If Washington hopes to regain influence in Lusaka, it must rediscover the art of partnership, not punishment.

Until then, Zambia will wear its new badge of dishonour with a mix of indignation and irony. After all, nothing fuels satire better than a fallen romance.

Is it not that great philosopher all of us in diplomacy aspire to be—Dr Henry Kissinger—who once said, “To be an enemy of America can be dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal.

I always say, make Zambia great again, happy new year around the corner.
———————

Amb. Anthony Mukwita is an International Relations Analyst & Author

#background

By Kellys Kaunda

PARTIAL SUSPENSION OF US VISAS FOR ZAMBIANS – THIS TOO SHALL COME TO PASS

If your life is not closely intertwined with the US, it’s easy to tell the affected person, “Don’t worry, after all, you still have your own country”, blah, blah, blah.

This is like comforting the bereaved by saying, “don’t worry. The Lord has taken what is His. There’s nothing you can do about it”.

There are Zambians that have been hit real hard about the US partial visa restrictions.

If your life doesn’t depend on another country, you may not appreciate what this suspension means.

Making the necessary adjustments will not come easily.

There’s going to be a period of hardship. How to cope would be the initiative of each affected person.

But if it may be of any comfort, human beings are designed by their maker to dominate the world.

It’s another way of saying human beings are designed to survive disappointment and adversity.

This too will come to pass is a popular saying with some of the most understated source of strength in times of hardships.

When one thing is taken out of the equation, the human mind has demonstrated the ability to find a replacement.

Don’t be surprised that your most lucrative replacement becomes Somaliland, Sudan, Yemen or the Gaza Strip.

You know what they say? God works in mysterious ways!

US EMBASSY SUSPENDS VISA ISSUANCE

The United States Embassy in Lusaka has announced that, effective January 2026, it will suspend the issuance of visas to Zambian nationals and citizens of 38 other countries.

Angola, Togo, Gabon, Senegal, Venezuela, and Zambia are among the affected countries.

In a statement, the embassy said the suspension is aimed at limiting the entry of foreign nationals in order to protect the security of the United States.

However, the embassy noted that applicants whose entry may be restricted can still submit visa applications and schedule interviews, although they may be deemed ineligible for visa issuance or admission into the United States.

Diamond TV