ATTEMPTED TAKEOVER DISRUPTED AT KULIMA TOWER BUS STATION AS POLICE RESTORE ORDER
CALM was briefly disrupted at Kulima Tower Bus Station in Lusaka this morning after a group of individuals allegedly attempted to forcefully take over the station’s leadership, prompting swift intervention by the Zambia Police Service.
According to information gathered at the scene, the group, believed to be cadres drawn from various parts of Lusaka, including Kanyama and Chawama, arrived at the bus station in the early hours, reportedly dressed in drivers’ uniforms. Their alleged objective was to remove the current station chairman, Mr. Nicholas Banda, popularly known as “Father,” and install a new leader without following established procedures.
Kulima Tower Bus Station Vice Chairperson, Mr. Christopher Nenguke, confirmed the incident and praised the Zambia Police Service, particularly officers from Lusaka Central Police, for their timely response, which helped contain the situation and prevent further escalation. He stated that the group caused confusion at the station, during which some buses were vandalised, drivers were assaulted and money along with Android mobile phones was allegedly stolen.
Mr. Nenguke strongly condemned the acts of violence and lawlessness, emphasizing that Kulima Tower Bus Station is a peaceful facility that operates under agreed leadership structures. He questioned the motive behind carrying out the actions under the cover of early morning hours rather than addressing grievances openly and through proper channels. He further warned those involved against engaging in disruptive behaviour that threatens public order and the safety of commuters.
Reaffirming the station leadership’s commitment to peace, Mr. Nenguke expressed continued support for the government of President Hakainde Hichilema, stressing the need for unity, respect for the rule of law and orderly conduct in public spaces.
Police have since taken several suspects into custody and investigations into the matter are ongoing. Members of the public have been advised to remain calm and await an official statement from the authorities as more details emerge.
GIVEN KATUTA APPLAUDS AMERICA’S FAITH BASED GOVERNANCE*
_Emmanuel Chilekwa 13.12.2025_
Washington — MAYO MAYO, Zambia’s 2026 independent Presidential aspirant, Hon. Given Katuta Mwelwa has scored a novel first – stepping on the Rose Gardens and speaking in the marble walls of White House this week as White House rolled out its Faith Office, a bold move that puts the United States front‑and‑center in the global “faith‑based diplomacy” arena. The Faith Office was created by Executive Order 14205, signed on February 7, 2025:
“By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, and to assist faith‑based entities, community organizations, and houses of worship in their efforts to strengthen American families, promote work and self‑sufficiency, and protect religious liberty, it is hereby ordered that the White House Faith Office be established within the Executive Office of the President.”
With focused and determined unwavering intent, President Trump started his second term on a faithful note, creating the Faith Office as his first act. In contrast, Zambia’s President, Hakainde Hichilema also kicked out the Religious Desk from State House, as his first act in his first term.
Therefore, across the Atlantic, Zambia is marching to a different drum. Its constitution explicitly declares the Republic a Christian nation while guaranteeing every citizen’s freedom of conscience and belief.
Yet, when President Hakainde Hichilema took office in 2021, he removed the State House Religious Desk, signaling a move towards a more secular administrative style, by practice.
The Israel Allies Foundation, which now counts over 1,600 Christian parliamentarians from 64 countries, gathered at its annual conference, and the contrast is impossible to miss. Hon. Given Katuta Mwelwa, MP for Chiengi and Zambia’s only independent 2026 presidential hopeful, stepped up to the podium in the West Wing.
She smiled, feeling the weight of a nation that writes “Christian” into its preamble, yet lives out a vibrant and sometimes divisive secular practice.
“It is so uplifting to note and feel that literally everyone around in the White House is a Christian, it’s such an awesome environment.”
“Today we stand together, not just as legislators but as believers who understand the value and importance of Israel—as there can be no Christianity without Israel,” she said, her voice echoing through the marble halls.
The Zambian constitution affirms Zambia as a Christian nation, but it also protects every Zambian’s right to worship—or not—exactly the balance needed in this world.
Beside her, Pastor Paula White‑Cain, head of the newly created White House Faith Office, nodded. The two women shared a photo that flashed across screens worldwide—a Zambian MP and an American faith leader united under the banner of “faith‑based diplomacy.”
The conference agenda was packed: briefings on countering antisemitism, a keynote on strengthening support for Israel, and a signing ceremony where MAYO MAYO, Hon. Given Katuta Mwelwa added her signature to the African Parliamentarians’ declaration at the Congress House.
The ink was still wet when she turned to the crowd and said, “Our nations may choose different ways to express faith in government, but our goal is the same—peace, justice, and a world where every voice is heard.”
As the sun set over the Rose Garden, delegates mingled, swapping stories of how their home countries navigate religion and state.
The conversation drifted from Zambia’s constitutional clause to the United States’ new Faith Office, each speaker marveling at the shared conviction that faith, when wielded responsibly, can be a force for good.
In that moment, the story wrote itself: a Zambian MP, a White House Faith Office, and over 1,600 lawmakers from 64 nations, all chanting the same refrain—Shalom, and may our faith guide every decision.
HUNGRY MPS, NO CHRISTMAS!’ PARLIAMENT ROW ERUPTS OVER BUDGET DELAY
Parliament was thrown into uproar after Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MP for Kuwadzana, Chalton Hwende, claimed lawmakers are broke, hungry and facing a bleak Christmas, using the argument to push for a delay in debate on the proposed 2026 national budget.
Hwende told the House that MPs’ welfare had deteriorated to such an extent that legislators could not effectively engage with the budget process, warning many would struggle to enjoy the festive season. His remarks, however, sparked a fierce backlash both inside and outside Parliament.
Critics accused opposition MPs of prioritising personal comfort over public duty, arguing they were elected to represent struggling citizens—not to lobby for perks.
The controversy has also reignited debate within opposition ranks, with some saying the conduct of MPs and Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume appears to vindicate Nelson Chamisa, who resigned and distanced himself from the CCC.
As ordinary Zimbabweans battle poverty, the question now being asked is: who is Parliament really working for?
THE POVERTY OF AFRICAN ELITES: WEALTH WITHOUT CIVILIZATION.
By Chioma Amaryllis Ahaghotu
Why money that refuses to become culture condemns a people to eternal dependency
African elites are wealthy, but they are not civilizationally rich.
Across history, true elites have never been defined merely by how much they owned, but by what they built that outlived them.
They understood something fundamental: money expires, but culture compounds.
Institutions, ideas, aesthetics, and values are the only forms of capital that survive generations.
This is where African elites stand apart, in the worst way.
Most of their wealth is defensive rather than visionary.
It hides, it flees, it whispers.
Money that cannot be named cannot endow universities.
Wealth that fears scrutiny cannot fund museums, libraries, or ideas that question power.
So instead of being converted into institutions, it is converted into silence, excess, and spectacle, convoys, champagne, destination weddings, private jets, and Instagram philanthropy that evaporates after the photos are taken.
Contrast this with Western and Asian elites.
The Rockefellers did not merely extract oil wealth; they built universities, medical research institutions, public health systems, museums, and foundations that still shape global knowledge today.
The Tatas used industrial wealth to fund science institutes, national airlines, steel towns, and philanthropic trusts that are deeply woven into India’s idea of itself.
Japanese elites embedded wealth into keiretsu, networks that aligned industry, education, and national purpose.
Singapore’s founding elite invested relentlessly in schools, housing, urban planning, and cultural discipline, turning scarcity into a national ethic.
These elites understood something African elites largely do not, that legitimacy is cultural before it is political.
You cannot rule a future you have not helped imagine.
African elites, by contrast, are mostly consumers of culture, not producers of it.
They wear Italian fashion but do not fund local design schools.
They build mansions but not public libraries.
They sponsor beauty pageants but not museums.
They bankroll election campaigns but ignore curriculum reform.
They donate to churches and mosques yet refuse to fund philosophy, history, or critical thought.
Even when philanthropy exists, it is often apolitical and antiseptic, scholarships without institutions, charity without systems, empowerment programs without intellectual backbone.
Nothing accumulates. Nothing endures.
This is not accidental.
Culture can be dangerous. Culture creates independent thinkers. It preserves memory. It defines standards of excellence. And standards eventually become yardsticks by which power is judged.
Insecure elites fear this.
So they prefer patronage to institutions, loyalty to competence, silence to debate. They want citizens grateful, not thoughtful.
A university can question you. A film movement can expose you. A historical archive can indict you.
So culture is avoided, underfunded, or deliberately kept shallow.
The result is catastrophic.
When elites refuse to shape culture, others step in.
NGOs write the moral language.
Foreign media frames African reality.
Western academia becomes the primary archivist of African history.
Development agencies define what “progress” looks like.
Pop culture, music, skits, virality, becomes the loudest and sometimes only form of expression left.
This is why Africa exports raw talent but imports frameworks.
Writers win acclaim abroad before being respected at home.
Artists are validated by foreign galleries.
Intellectuals must leave to think freely.
Even African myths, aesthetics, and philosophies are often curated, interpreted, and monetized elsewhere.
And still, African elites do not notice the danger, because they confuse wealth with relevance.
But history is unforgiving.
Elites who refuse to invest in permanence do not survive memory.
No libraries will bear their names.
No doctrines will trace back to their ideas.
No institutions will defend them after death.
Their children will inherit money but no legitimacy, privilege without respect, access without authority.
Meanwhile, the Rockefellers are remembered through universities, the Tatas through nation-building, the Medici through the Renaissance. Their wealth became civilizational infrastructure.
Civilizations are not built by the poor or middle class alone.
They require elites who understand that privilege carries obligation, not to charity, but to continuity.
Not to applause, but to authorship.
African elites will continue to remain rich individuals presiding over fragile societies so long as wealth is hoarded rather than institutionalized, power is exercised without stewardship, and money is divorced from meaning, dominant in the present, absent from the future.
A Shift in European Support for Ukraine – and a Warning Sign for the West?
Denmark, the EU’s most generous Ukraine donor relative to GDP, is set to cut its military aid by nearly 43% in 2026, dropping from €2.21 billion in 2025 to €1.26 billion. While Copenhagen stresses this reflects a “stabilization” after years of extraordinary contributions (totaling over €9 billion since 2022), the move carries deeper implications.
Denmark’s retreat isn’t just budgetary, it’s political. Mounting domestic fatigue, internal party dissent, and fresh corruption scandals in Kyiv have eroded the moral and strategic consensus that once fueled Europe’s “unlimited support” doctrine. If even the most committed donor begins to step back, who’s next?
💭 This raises a critical question: Should burden-sharing mean that some allies scale back while others ramp up? Or does any reduction—no matter how “reasonable”—undermine Kyiv’s position at a moment when battlefield momentum and Western unity are more fragile than ever?
Denmark may be the first to publicly recalibrate, but it likely won’t be the last. Source: Yahoo Finance
POWER STRUGGLES INSIDE THE ANC: MBALULA’S PUBLIC JAB AT MOTSEPE FUELS FEARS OF A LEADERSHIP SHOWDOWN
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has sparked fresh controversy after a public exchange involving billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe, a figure increasingly whispered about as a potential future ANC president — and possibly even a South African president.
During a recent public engagement, Mbalula was seen telling Motsepe to “sit down”, a moment many observers interpreted as deliberate political humiliation rather than discipline. The incident has intensified speculation about deep unease within ANC leadership ranks over Motsepe’s rising influence, financial power and growing acceptability across factions.
易 Why this matters Motsepe is not an ordinary ANC member. He is:
One of Africa’s wealthiest businessmen
The current CAF president
Internationally connected and widely respected in corporate and sporting circles
Seen by some as a “clean break” from scandal-plagued ANC leadership
This has reportedly unsettled senior party figures who rose through struggle politics, not boardrooms.
️ What Mbalula has been criticised for While Mbalula has not openly declared war on Motsepe, critics point to:
Dismissing the idea of “business elites” leading the ANC
Repeated warnings against “money politics”
Suggesting leadership should come from “tried and tested cadres”
Using public platforms to assert authority rather than handle differences internally
To Motsepe’s supporters, these remarks are coded attacks, aimed at weakening his image before it grows stronger.
⚖️ Fear or factional defence? Some analysts argue Mbalula’s posture reflects fear of losing control as the ANC faces declining support, while others say it is a defensive move to protect traditional party structures from being overtaken by wealth and influence.
The bigger picture With the ANC under pressure nationally, any figure capable of restoring credibility becomes both an asset and a threat. Motsepe’s name entering leadership conversations has exposed cracks, jealousy and insecurity within the party.
One thing is clear: If this is how potential successors are treated in public, the ANC’s internal battles may be far from over — and South Africans are watching closely.
Is this leadership, or fear of competition? The debate has begun.
ECZ BARS TASILA LUNGU FROM FILING NOMINATION FOR CHAWAMA BY-ELECTION
By Jack Makayi
Lusaka 14th December 2025
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has ruled out the possibility of former Chawama Member of Parliament Tasila Mwansa Lungu filing nominations for the forthcoming Chawama Parliamentary by-election, citing constitutional provisions that bar her eligibility
In a statement issued by ECZ Chief Electoral Officer Brown Kasaro, the Commission emphasized that the Constitution does not allow electronic submission of nomination papers and further clarified that individuals who caused a vacancy in the National Assembly are disqualified from contesting during the life of the current Parliament.
Kasaro stated that nominations for the Chawama Parliamentary by-election will be conducted on Tuesday, 16th December, 2025, at Chawama Primary School, the designated nomination centre
“The Commission wishes to inform aspiring candidates that there is no provision under Article 52 of the Constitution of Zambia for the electronic submission of nomination papers. Nomination papers must be submitted physically at the designated nomination centre on the prescribed date and within the stipulated time,”Kasaro said.
The ECZ noted with concern that some aspiring candidates had indicated intentions to lodge their nomination papers electronically, a move the Commission has declared unconstitutional and unacceptable.
The Chawama parliamentary seat fell vacant following a ruling by the Speaker of the National Assembly on 28th November 2025, in accordance with Article 72(2)(c) of the Constitution.
Kasaro further cited Article 72(4) of the Constitution, which provides that any person who causes a vacancy in the National Assembly under specified clauses—including clause (2)(c)—is not eligible, during the term of that Parliament, to contest an election or hold public office.
“A person who causes a vacancy in the National Assembly due to the reasons specified under clause (2)(a),(b),(c),(d),(g)and (h) shall not,during the term of that Parliament, be eligible to contest an election or hold public office, “the statement reads.
The clarification comes amid growing calls from some residents of Chawama Constituency urging Tasila Lungu to return and defend the parliamentary seat. However, the ECZ’s position effectively shuts the door on her participation in the by-election.
The Commission has since urged all aspiring candidates and political parties to strictly comply with nomination requirements to avoid disqualification.
“Candidates are encouraged to ensure that all nomination requirements are fully complied with,” Kasaro said.
The ECZ reaffirmed its commitment to conducting the Chawama by-election in line with the Constitution and electoral laws of Zambia.
CIC PRESS TEAM
●No e-filing- The Commission wishes to inform aspiring candidates that there is no provision under Article 52 of the Constitution of Zambia for the electronic submission of nomination papers and nomination papers must be submitted physically..
● She caused the by-election-that “A person who causes a vacancy in the National Assembly due to the reasons specified under clause (2) (a), (b), (c), (d), (g) and (h) shall not, during the term of that Parliament- (a) be eligible to contest an election; or (b) hold public office.
NO PROVISION FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF NOMINATION PAPERS FOR BY-ELECTION
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) wishes to inform political parties and aspiring candidates that Nominations for the Chawama Parliamentary Byelection will take place on Tuesday, 16th December, 2025 at Chawama Primary School.
The Commission has also noted indications from some aspiring candidates in upcoming by-elections that they intend to lodge their nomination papers electronically.
The Commission wishes to inform aspiring candidates that there is no provision under Article 52 of the Constitution of Zambia for the electronic submission of nomination papers and nomination papers must be submitted physically.
All aspiring candidates are therefore advised to lodge their duly completed nomination papers at the designated Nomination Centre on the prescribed nomination date and within the stipulated time.
The Commission also wishes to remind stakeholders that the by-election in Chawama arose following the pronouncement by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the seat being vacant in accordance with Article 72(2) (c) of the Constitution on 28th November, 2025.
Further, the Commission wishes to advise that Article 72 (4) of the Constitution of Zambia provides that “A person who causes a vacancy in the National Assembly due to the reasons specified under clause (2) (a), (b), (c), (d), (g) and (h) shall not, during the term of that Parliament— (a) be eligible to contest an election; or (b) hold public office.
Candidates are encouraged to ensure that all nomination requirements are fully complied with to avoid disqualification.
Brown Kasaro Chief Electoral Officer For/The Commission ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBI
The Constitutional Court ruled that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) cannot interpret the Constitution regarding the eligibility of candidates.
The court emphasized that the authority to interpret the Constitution is solely the preserve of the judiciary!
PRESS STATEMENT
BROWN KASARO’S MISCHIEVOUS STATEMENT
Sunday-14th December 2025
ECZ NOT FIT TO RUN THE 2026
The current Electoral Commission of Zambia Board and Management have increasingly demonstrated that they are not qualified and fit to run the 2026 General Election in an impartial manner and cannot guarantee that t the election will be independent, credible, democratic, free and fair.
For example the statement issued by Brown Kasaro, Chief Electoral Officer, is appalling in misinterpretation of the law and overstepping the Commissions bounds and authority.
In his statement dayed 13th December 2025, Kasaro stated that; ●No e-filing- The Commission wishes to inform aspiring candidates that there is no provision under Article 52 of the Constitution of Zambia for the electronic submission of nomination papers and nomination papers must be submitted physically.
● She caused the by-election-that “A person who causes a vacancy in the National Assembly due to the reasons specified under clause (2) (a), (b), (c), (d), (g) and (h) shall not, during the term of that Parliament- (a) be eligible to contest an election; or (b) hold public office.
In the case of Bowman Lusambo/Joseph Malanji and the ECZ, the Constitional Court reprimanded the Commission for these illegalities.
The Constitutional Court has ruled that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) cannot interpret the Constitution regarding the eligibility of candidates.
The court emphasized that the authority to interpret the Constitution is solely the preserve of the judiciary.
In this case, Hon.Tasila Lungu did not cause the by-election and Kasaro’s misguided interpretation of the law on the filing of nominations amounts to utter political mischief.
Key Stakeholders must understand by now, that ECZ in its current form, is not fit for purpose, and all its work so far such as voter registration exercise and the illegal setting up of the Electoral Reform Technical Committee whose findings have birthed Bill 7, has gone to threaten the holding of credible, democratic, independent, free and fair elections.
ECZ has rendered itself as a mere useful tool of State House as shown by the Commission’s repeated partisan conduct and partiality work especially in the by-elections.
Kasaro,in this statement has gone to a great extent to abuse his powers and attempt to bar Hon.Tasila Lungu-Mwansa in participating in the Chawama By-election.
And by the way, who told him that she will partipate in this election? How can an entire ECZ work based on vengeful emotions and wild speculations?
It si clear that the presence of Mwangala Zaloumis, Mcdonald Chipenzi, Brown Kasaro and Dr. Collins Kachaka, has demonstrated that the 2026 General Election is as good as stolen in fa our of the UPND owing to their presence and partisan work.
The repeated pleas by stakeholders that the President must protect and honour the Constitution by allowing an independent Electoral Commission, have fallen on deaf ears as he is the perpetrator of these dirty schemes to undermine the independence of the Commission.
Issued by Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba Chairperson of Information and Publicity Member of the Central Committee PATRIOTIC FRONT
PATRIOTIC FRONT Members of Parliament led by Mporokoso MP Hon Brian Mundubile have announced that they will not participate in the deliberations on the Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 7 when it comes up for Second Reading in the National Assembly on Monday.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Hon Mundubile said most PF lawmakers have resolved to stay away from the process arguing that their participation could expose them to possible contempt.
Hon Mundubile stated that the UPND government have deliberately ignored a court judgment which declared Bill 7 a nullity and that proceeding with the Bill amounts to open defiance of the rule of law.
He said that the Bill is politically motivated and designed to advance the interests of the ruling party rather than serve the broader national interest.
Meanwhile, Hon Mundubile has accused President Hakainde Hichilema of trying to use delimitation of constituencies to settle internal scores within the ruling party particularly in UPND strongholds where younger members are seeking to dislodge non Working older MPs.
He said President Hichilema has failed to manage internal wrangles within the UPND and instead resorting to constitutional amendments and constituency delimitation as a political tool.
“They are deliberately targeting smaller constituencies in their strongholds where young members are contesting positions held by older party members and want to divide them. President Hichilema, you cannot use the Constitution to solve problems within your own party,” he said.
Hon Mundubile described the move as undemocratic, warning that the Constitution should not be manipulated to resolve internal party disputes.
He said the proposed amendments are also aimed at making it more difficult for independent candidates to contest in next year’s general elections thereby shrinking the democratic space.
“You cannot reduce the Constitution to a tool for solving internal party problems,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lunte Member of Parliament Hon Mutotwe Kafwaya said he will not be present in the National Assembly at any stage when Bill 7 will be considered.
He said he does not want to be associated with what he described as an illegal bill.
Mr Kafwaya added that he would not vote for Bill 7 and called on the UPND government to produce a report justifying the proposed delimitation of 55 new constituencies
STAY AWAY FROM BILL 7 VOTE LIKE UPND DID AGAINST BILL 10
On the day of voting on Bill 10, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, as opposition UPND leader, kept all his party’s members of parliament at his residence until after the voting was over.
In this way, Mr Hichilema ensured that none of his members of parliament was tempted to vote for Bill 10.
We urge all opposition members of parliament, including independents and UPND members of parliament of good will, to stay away from Parliament tomorrow.
If doing so was acceptable for UPND, it must also be acceptable for others to do the same. We base this on the principle of “what is good for the goose is good for the gander.”
Staying away from the vote will be an act of leadership to protect people’s interests and prevent setting a dangerous precedent that threatens our country’s democracy and encourages a “one-man-rule”.
NEVERS MUMBA WARNS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IF BILL 7 FAILS
New Nation Party (NNP) President Dr. Nevers Mumba has cautioned that Zambia risks facing a constitutional crisis in the next general election if the proposed constitutional amendments are not passed.
Dr. Mumba said that even if the amendments were intended to address only a single provision, the NNP would still give full support to Constitution Amendment Bill Number 7 and urged that the process move forward without delay.
He made the remarks during the official opening of the New Nation Party Secretariat in Lusaka.
Dr. Mumba expressed disappointment over what he described as the opposition’s continued use of hate speech directed at President Hakainde Hichilema, urging political players to prioritize national interest over partisan hostility.
He recalled that under its former name, the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), the party had repeatedly argued that failure to amend Clause 52 could potentially collapse an election if a presidential candidate withdrew midway.
Highlighting inclusivity, Dr. Mumba said the NNP stands with persons with disabilities, women, and young people, supporting measures to increase their representation in Parliament. He also noted that the proposed constituency delimitation process could accelerate development across the country if implemented.
Dr. Mumba concluded by calling on citizens and political leaders to rise above hatred and mistrust, which he said continue to divide the nation.
🇿🇲 CLOSE UP | Bill 7 Heads to the Floor as Numbers, Nerves, and Narratives Collide
As Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 comes up for second reading in Parliament tomorrow, Monday, the political temperature has sharply risen. What should have been a routine legislative milestone has instead become a test of numbers, credibility, and narrative control, with anxiety now spilling beyond Parliament into courts, party secretariats, and social media.
Over the weekend, Mporokoso Member of Parliament Brian Mundubile emerged as the loudest opposition voice, declaring that proceeding with Bill 7 amounts to defiance of the courts.
Speaking in Lusaka on Saturday, Mundubile insisted that the parliamentary process is “illegal and disrespectful to the judiciary,” arguing that government erred by drafting the Bill internally instead of initiating what he called a fresh, independent, and inclusive constitutional process.
“As representatives of the Zambian people, the PF will not support the Bill,” Mundubile said, positioning his party on a collision course with the floor of the House.
That position was reinforced by Shiwang’andu MP Stephen Kapyongo, who argued that government squandered public funds by establishing a Technical Committee whose work, in his view, should not have preceded a broader national consensus.
But beyond these statements, opposition messaging has struggled to translate legal grievance into a clear, evidence-based explanation of how Bill 7 allegedly paves the way for President Hakainde Hichilema to remain in office indefinitely. This gap has become more visible as the vote approaches.
The arithmetic of Parliament tells a more complex story than the slogans suggest. UPND dominates Southern Province with 20 MPs, Western Province with 18, and North-Western Province with all 12 seats. Lusaka Province, even before the Chawama by-election, tilts toward UPND with eight MPs against PF’s three. Copperbelt and Central provinces are more mixed, while PF retains numerical strength in Eastern, Luapula, Northern, and Muchinga provinces.
These numbers matter because constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority, not noise online.
It is against this backdrop that PF-aligned platforms have circulated lists naming 21 PF and independent MPs, complete with phone numbers, urging citizens to call and warn them against allegedly planning to support Bill 7.
The tactic has intensified pressure on individual legislators and blurred the line between civic engagement and intimidation. For MPs already already dealing with constituency expectations and party discipline, the moment is fraught.
Adding to the uncertainty, PF-linked legal actors have returned to court yet again, marking at least a third attempt to halt the Bill on procedural grounds. The litigation strategy has now become as central as the parliamentary one, reinforcing a broader opposition shift away from clause-by-clause critique toward a singular focus on process illegality.
Government and the Parliamentary Select Committee, however, have consistently maintained that no court has declared Bill 7 itself unconstitutional, only commenting on aspects of its initiation.
What is clear is that the debate has moved decisively from content to confidence. Supporters of the Bill argue that democracy does not guarantee unanimity, only a lawful vote. Opponents counter that legitimacy requires broader moral consent beyond parliamentary arithmetic.
Tomorrow’s second reading will not settle that philosophical divide, but it will test whether opposition anger can be converted into votes on the floor.
As MPs take their seats under mounting public scrutiny, the question is no longer whether Bill 7 is controversial. It is whether the opposition has done enough, in numbers and in narrative, to stop it where it counts most: inside the House.
WHERE ARE THE 55 CONSTITUENCIES COMING FROM? KAFWAYA, SAKI ASK
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia and the UPND government have been challenged to provide a clear and transparent explanation on how 55 constituencies have been earmarked for delimitation when the official ECZ report only recommended for 11.
Mutotwe Kafwaya, the Patriotic Front Lunte Member of Parliament and prominent constitutional lawyer Sakwiba Sikota have questioned what they have described as “a deception tsunami,” accusing the UPND regime of misleading the public over the true contents of the delimitation report.
Mr Sikota SC says the Constitutional Court was clear in nullifying Bill 7 by ordering that the initiation of the constitutional amendment process lacked legitimacy because the Constitutional Court had declared the bill a nullity.
“Object (a) of Bill 7 deals with the actualisation of the ECZ report on delimitation of constituencies,” he said. “But when you ask Government where the ECZ report recommending 55 constituencies is, they tell you to ‘go to ECZ’ because the ECZ chairperson has the report. As if saying the ECZ chair created Bill 7.”He argued that Government should justify the introduction of 55 new constituencies.
“You must have a basis for coming up with 55 new constituencies, that is the point, Hon Minister!” Mr Kafwaya said. “If the report is still with ECZ, then where did you find the number 55? Utuntu!”He explained that the situation had become more confusing after ECZ appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee currently scrutinising the controversial Bill.“ECZ indicated that they had submitted the report to Government and cannot release it to the public because it is now in Government’s hands,” he said. “It is being kept like accountable documents.”
According to ECZ, the report being referenced is the 2019 delimitation report, and a revised version was handed over in 2025.
“These two details are critical pieces of information,” Mr Kafwaya emphasised. He insisted that the 2019 report only recommended the creation of 11 new constituencies.“I can tell you for certain that this report recommended an addition of only 11 constituencies. I remember this accurately because Lunte, Kasempa and Chilubi were among the 11.”He challenged Government to explain the sudden expansion.
“So, where have the 44 additional constituencies come from? This is deception. This is grand deception,” he said. “How can you add 44 constituencies to a report which only recommended 11? This is not normal!”
Mr Kafwaya also dismissed the claim that the 2019 report was revised in 2025. “This is one of the funniest stories I have heard this year. Delimitation information gathering is never conducted in offices. It is a go-there activity – public meetings, boundary suggestions, and submissions. That is what happened in 2018.”
He stressed that no such public consultations have taken place since then.“How did ECZ revise the 2019 report in 2025 without going back to the people? Where did they conduct public meetings?” he asked. “I believe there is no revised report for 2025.” Mr Kafwaya called on Government to make the reports public.“I challenge Government to release the 2019 report and the so-called 2025 revised report. Why are they being hidden? This deception is beyond measure.”He urged the minister and ECZ to “reconcile their public views” on the matter.
“They are one Government. They should not contradict or accuse each other,” he said. “The motivation for the arbitrary number 55 must be explained. This deception tsunami should not be left unattended.”
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and the UPND government have been challenged to provide a clear and transparent explanation on how 55 constituencies have been earmarked for delimitation when the official ECZ report only recommended for 11.
Mutotwe Kafwaya, the Patriotic Front Lunte Member of Parliament and prominent constitutional lawyer Sakwiba Sikota have questioned what they have described as “a deception tsunami,” accusing the UPND regime of misleading the public over the true contents of the delimitation report.
Mr Sikota SC says the Constitutional Court was clear in nullifying Bill 7 by ordering that the initiation of the constitutional amendment process lacked legitimacy because the Constitutional Court had declared the bill a nullity.
GIVE us a chance to lead the country next year, and Zambians will not regret voting for the Socialist Party,” says party president Dr Fred M’membe.
And Dr M’membe says SP policies are a true reflection of ubuntu as they respond to the needs of the people.
In an interview with The Mast yesterday, Dr M’membe, the 2026 presidential candidate, pleaded with the people of Zambia to try his party in government next year.
“Give us a chance to lead in 2026, you will not regret. The lasting solution to Zambia’s deep economic difficulties does not lie in the IMF or in a debt restructuring deal,” Dr M’membe said.
He said the SP under his leadership would be a people’s government and not a party or regional administration the way the United Party for National Development (UPND) was.
Dr M’membe said Zambians needed an honest leadership to drive the national agenda together with the people.
“Our lasting solution lies in the collection of fair and adequate revenue from the mining sector for support to secondary industries such as manufacturing. It lies in the development of the arts, a hugely important industry that those in power today have reduced to a footnote in a ministry!” he said.
Dr M’membe said the challenges the nation was facing should not depend on International Monetary Fund programme but on homegrown solutions.
“It lies in increased state support to agriculture and enhanced food security, but those in power today are quicker to listen to the IMF and remove subsidies on farming inputs, even when the US and other Western countries still subsidise their own agriculture industry. It lies in increased state investment in social sectors such as education and health,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr M’membe said socialism is the way to go as it is a programme that reflects ubuntu.
Addressing critical policy commitments in the party manifesto, Dr M’membe explained that Zambians would have an inclusive leadership if SP was elected next year.
“With a Socialist Party-led government, it will not be the ‘politics as usual’ and Zambians will certainly have better political leadership. We emphasise moral conviction, people-centered governance, and specific policy commitments to social welfare and economic sovereignty. Our government will focus on tangible improvements in citizens’ daily lives,” Mr M’membe said.
He said the SP in government would promote a leadership of integrity and discipline.
Dr M’membe said Zambia needed leaders who acted with integrity, spoke with conviction, and served with discipline rather than for personal or foreign interests.
He said his commitment to servicing would be people-centred and promote unity for all based on unwavering moral conviction and fraternal love.
“These promises of better leadership are tied directly to our manifesto, which includes specific, costed policy pledges, such as universal healthcare, which will offer a socialized health system offering free services and expanding primary and mental healthcare, with 20% of the national budget allocated to this sector,” he said.
Dr M’membe said the SP would implement a free, quality education policy from primary to university, with free uniforms, books, and meals for primary and secondary students.
“It aims to allocate 25% of the national budget to education to build a skilled workforce. The SP aims to invest heavily in agriculture, the largest employer, to ensure food security and support farmers who have faced challenges with the current system,” he said.
CHAWAMA RESIDENTS CALL ON TASILA MWANSA LUNGU TO DEFEND PARLIAMENTARY SEAT
By Jack Makayi
Lusaka, Zambia 14th December
Thousands of Chawama residents have appealed to former Chawama Member of Parliament, Mrs. Tasila Lungu Mwansa, to return home and defend her parliamentary seat, citing satisfaction with her past performance and leadership in the constituency.
The residents, drawn from various wards within Chawama, say they remain confident in Mrs. Lungu Mwansa’s ability to represent their interests and continue developmental work in the area. They described her tenure as responsive and impactful, adding that she maintained close engagement with the community during her time as a member of Parliament.
Speaking to CIC PRESS TEAM journalists yesterday, some residents said Chawama experienced notable progress under Mrs. Lungu Mwansa’s leadership, particularly in community outreach and constituency representation.
“We are happy with the work she did for us. She understands the problems of Chawama, and that is why we want her to come back and defend the seat,”said one resident.
Another community member added that the call for her return is driven by a collective desire for continuity and effective representation.
“This is not about politics alone ;it’s about leadership that listens to the people. We want her to continue with the work she started, ” the residents said.
Efforts to get any comment from tonse Alliance acting president Mr Given Lubinda didn’t work for his phone was unanswered. Meanwhile, the residents have announced plans to hold a solidarity march on Friday in support of Mrs. Lungu Mwansa. Organisers of the march say the event will be peaceful and aimed at demonstrating unity and support for their former lawmaker.
Mrs. Tasila Lungu Mwansa is the daughter of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and previously served as Member of Parliament for Chawama. By press time, she had not publicly responded to the calls from residents.
Local leaders have since urged residents to conduct themselves peacefully as they express their views, emphasizing the importance of maintaining law and order during the planned march.
The situation continues to attract public attention as Chawama residents await Mrs. Lungu Mwansa’s response to their appeal.
We will NOT allow Tasila Lungu to File Nominations-ECZ’s Brown Kasaro
●No e-filing- The Commission wishes to inform aspiring candidates that there is no provision under Article 52 of the Constitution of Zambia for the electronic submission of nomination papers and nomination papers must be submitted physically.
● She caused the by-election-that “A person who causes a vacancy in the National Assembly due to the reasons specified under clause (2) (a), (b), (c), (d), (g) and (h) shall not, during the term of that Parliament- (a) be eligible to contest an election; or (b) hold public office.
NO PROVISION FOR ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF NOMINATION PAPERS FOR BY-ELECTION
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) wishes to inform political parties and aspiring candidates that Nominations for the Chawama Parliamentary Byelection will take place on Tuesday, 16th December, 2025 at Chawama Primary School.
The Commission has also noted indications from some aspiring candidates in upcoming by-elections that they intend to lodge their nomination papers electronically.
The Commission wishes to inform aspiring candidates that there is no provision under Article 52 of the Constitution of Zambia for the electronic submission of nomination papers and nomination papers must be submitted physically.
All aspiring candidates are therefore advised to lodge their duly completed nomination papers at the designated Nomination Centre on the prescribed nomination date and within the stipulated time.
The Commission also wishes to remind stakeholders that the by-election in Chawama arose following the pronouncement by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the seat being vacant in accordance with Article 72(2) (c) of the Constitution on 28th November, 2025.
Further, the Commission wishes to advise that Article 72 (4) of the Constitution of Zambia provides that “A person who causes a vacancy in the National Assembly due to the reasons specified under clause (2) (a), (b), (c), (d), (g) and (h) shall not, during the term of that Parliament— (a) be eligible to contest an election; or (b) hold public office.
Candidates are encouraged to ensure that all nomination requirements are fully complied with to avoid disqualification.
Brown Kasaro Chief Electoral Officer For/The Commission ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBI
SIMUUWE CHALLENGES KALABA TO SUBSTANTIATE CLAIMS, DEFENDS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
Lusaka — United Party for National Development (UPND) Media Director Mark Simuuwe has challenged Citizens First Party President Harry Kalaba to substantiate allegations of selective application of the law, citing Mr. Kalaba’s own record during his tenure as Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
Speaking during the Media Introspection programme on Prime TV, Mr. Simuuwe questioned claims made by Mr. Kalaba, referring to allegations that during his time in office, a mining licence was granted to Zambezi Resources, linked to Australian interests, to mine copper in the Lower Zambezi National Park.
Mr. Simuuwe urged Mr. Kalaba to provide evidence supporting his assertions of selective justice, stating that such claims must be backed by facts rather than political rhetoric.
“I would understand if the argument was that the law has not yet taken its course on certain allegations, but blanket claims of selective application of the law must be supported by evidence,” Mr. Simuuwe said.
Turning to constitutional matters, Mr. Simuuwe said the issue of constituency delimitation is not a matter of opinion but a constitutional obligation. He explained that the Constitution mandates the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to review constituency boundaries at intervals not exceeding ten years.
He also supported the inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups in governance, stressing that the Constitution is a national document meant to govern the country, not a political tool for the UPND. He urged stakeholders to avoid politicising constitutional reform debates.
Mr. Simuuwe further noted that Article 52 has now been subjected to judicial interpretation, unlike the period before the 2021 general elections. He said courts have since pronounced themselves on the matter, distinguishing the current legal position from earlier cases such as the Isaac Mwanza matter, where the article had not been conclusively tested.
He highlighted other constitutional gaps, including the provision allowing ministers to remain in office after the dissolution of Parliament, which he said requires reform. Mr. Simuuwe also supported the proposal to abolish by-elections, citing their high cost and arguing that resources saved could be redirected to key social sectors.
Additionally, he backed the revised qualifications for the appointment of the Secretary to the Cabinet and the proposal to provide a clear legal definition of a child and an adult. He said a sound legal system must be adaptable to prevailing democratic values and realities.
Mr. Simuuwe emphasized that the constitutional amendment process is consultative, noting that institutions such as the Law Association of Zambia and other stakeholders have been given the opportunity to make submissions before the Parliamentary Select Committee.
He added that Parliament grants immunity to individuals appearing before the Committee, making threats of legal action against Parliament unnecessary.
However, he cautioned that once the Bill reaches the third reading stage, no further amendments would be entertained, as Members of Parliament would only vote for or against the Bill.
Mr. Simuuwe said the proposed amendments address statute-bound matters such as delimitation and the codification of court decisions, and he urged lawmakers and stakeholders to support Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7.
He further warned that failure to address constitutional gaps, particularly those related to Article 52 on candidate resignation or withdrawal, could trigger political instability and a constitutional crisis. He cautioned that such a scenario could even jeopardize the holding of the 2026 general elections, which are themselves constitutionally mandated.
MONDAY WILL SEPARATE REPRESENTATIVES FROM MERCENARIES
Fellow citizens,
15 December 2025 will not be an ordinary sitting of Parliament. It will be a constitutional reckoning disguised as a vote.
Tomorrow, Zambians will finally discover whether those they elected to Parliament went there to represent the sovereign will of the people, or merely to secure allowances, appointments, and political insurance for their stomachs, families, and futures.
The vote on Bill No. 7 is not about reform. It is about fidelity to the Constitution. It will expose who still remembers their oath of office under the Supremacy Clause and who has reduced public service to a career survival strategy.
AN ILLEGAL BILL CANNOT BE RESCUED BY ARROGANCE
Bill No. 7 is not controversial because it is misunderstood. It is controversial because it is constitutionally compromised.
The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) did not issue a political press statement. It presented a legal opinion grounded in the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Act, 2016, particularly Article 1(2), which declares the Constitution supreme and binding on all persons and organs of the State, Article 79, which prescribes the mandatory procedure for constitutional amendment, including heightened thresholds and, where required, a referendum of the people and Article 128, which vests interpretive authority in the Constitutional Court, not in political enthusiasm or parliamentary impatience.
The LAZ President merely articulated what constitutional lawyers already know a defective constitutional process cannot be cured by numbers, noise, or nerves.
Yet instead of reasoned engagement, the nation witnessed defensiveness dressed up as authority, hostility masquerading as confidence, and political impatience substituting constitutional discipline most vividly in how Imanga Wamunyima responded to the legal position presented.
That was not robustness. It was contempt for constitutionalism.
WHEN PARLIAMENTARIANS FEAR LAWYERS, DEMOCRACY IS IN TROUBLE
A confident government welcomes scrutiny. A lawful Bill survives legal interrogation.
Bill No. 7, however, has depended on political bullying instead of persuasion, speed instead of genuine public participation contrary to the democratic ethos underpinning Article 79 and party loyalty tests in place of constitutional fidelity.
If this Bill were clean, it would not fear lawyers. If it were lawful, it would not resent courts. If it were democratic, it would not rush past the people.
A Constitution is not amended the way one amends a party manifesto.
THE SCRAPPING OF BY-ELECTIONS: SILENCING THE PEOPLE
Among the most dangerous proposals in Bill No. 7 is the attempt to scrap by-elections.
By-elections are not an inconvenience, they are a democratic weapon in the hands of the people. They allow citizens to punish betrayal, arrogance, and non-performance. Removing them is not reform it is political insulation.
A leader who no longer fears the electorate becomes reckless. A Parliament that fears voters seeks to disable them.
Bill No. 7 seeks to disarm the people.
NOMINATED MPS: EXECUTIVE OVERREACH BY DESIGN
Equally troubling is the proposed increase in nominated Members of Parliament.
Why does the President want more nominated MPs? By what criteria will they be selected? And for what public purpose?
The answer is painfully clear to saturate Parliament with executive loyalty, weaken oversight, and dilute the people’s electoral voice.
An expanded nominated bloc does not strengthen democracy. It concentrates power, rewards obedience, and converts Parliament into an extension of State House.
REMOVAL OF MAYORAL TERM LIMITS: LEGALISING MEDIOCRITY
The removal of term limits for Mayors represents another silent assault on accountability.
Term limits exist to protect citizens from entrenched under-performance. Removing them means a failing Mayor can be imposed indefinitely, regardless of incompetence, arrogance, or neglect.
Leadership without limits breeds entitlement. Entitlement breeds abuse.
DELIMITATION OR POLITICAL ENGINEERING?
The so-called delimitation exercise is being sold as an administrative necessity. In truth, it risks becoming political engineering a rearrangement of electoral boundaries designed not to reflect population justice, but to accommodate partisan appetite.
This is not about fairness. It is about “our turn to eat” geography.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT SPOKE — POLITICIANS COVERED THEIR EARS
Zambia is not governed by Cabinet resolutions. It is governed by the Constitution.
Our constitutional jurisprudence, emanating from the Constitutional Court under Article 128, has consistently affirmed a simple doctrine. Parliament is powerful, but it is not supreme.
Where the Constitution prescribes a procedure, that procedure is not optional. Where it demands public participation or a referendum, political convenience is not a substitute.
Any amendment process that sidesteps Article 79 safeguards, weakens participatory democracy, or smuggles structural changes under the language of inclusion is constitutionally stillborn, no matter how many hands are raised in Parliament.
JUDICIAL SILENCE
Equally condemnable is a judicial system that appears increasingly timid, selective, and hesitant in defending the supreme law it is sworn to protect.
A judiciary that hesitates in moments of constitutional danger is not neutral it is complicit by silence.
COWARDICE IN THE OPPOSITION
History will also judge the selfish and cowardly opposition leadership, especially presidential hopefuls who recognised the danger but chose comfort over courage.
When the Constitution is under attack, neutrality is betrayal.
COPY-PASTE LEADERSHIP
Let us speak plainly this governance style is borrowed. Centralised power, weakened institutions, controlled legislatures, and intimidated critics represent copy-and-paste governance imported wholesale and imposed without consent.
Zambia did not fight for multiparty democracy to become a carbon copy of authoritarian experiments elsewhere.
MONDAY IS A LINE DRAWN BY THE CONSTITUTION
On Monday, every Member of Parliament will be recorded not by party secretariats, but by constitutional history.
There will be no hiding behind party whips, no refuge in instructions from above, and no argument that numbers defeat ilegality.
Each vote will answer one unavoidable question:
Did you vote for the Constitution, or for yourself?
THE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING
Zambians may struggle economically, but they are not intellectually bankrupt. They may be patient, but they are not blind.
Tomorrow, Parliament will either reaffirm itself as an institution of representation and constitutional obedience or confirm fears that it has become a trading floor where loyalty is exchanged for survival.
History will remember this vote. So will the courts. So will the Constitution.
And most importantly —So will the people.
I remain, Simpamba Abraham Together We Can Ichalo Bantu! Time Will Tell. ✍️
CAN AN ASSOCIATION GIVE ITS POSITION ON A NATIONAL MATTER WITHOUT CONSULTING ITS MEMBERS? THE CASE OF THE LAW ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA.
BY: GIFT BEENE, FORMER UNZALAW PRESIDENT AND ADVOCATE OF THE HIGH COURT FOR ZAMBIA
The law Association of Zambia (LAZ) is an association which represents lawyers in this country. The Primary mandate of LAZ is to ensure that it represents the views and interest of its members. The power to govern in any given society derive from its members. Therefore, LAZ as a body representing lawyers is duty bound to prioritize the interest of its members.
The past months in my view LAZ has proved to be problematic in that it has taken an approach which does not reflect the true aspirations and views of its members. This is stemming from the fact that there has been lack of consensus on issues of national importance from the wider membership of LAZ.
I am of the considered view that before LAZ takes a position on issues of national importance, consensus must be reached from its members. Even though the executive of LAZ represents lawyers, its authority comes from its electorates. The executive of LAZ cannot assume that its position is the position of its members. No!
LAZ should not assume that its position on Bill Number 7 is the position of its members. This is wrong! You can only arrive at such a decision after having heard from all interested members of the association.
LAZ should be fair enough and desist from making subjective decisions based on the views of a small fraction of lawyers. If you subjected the issue of Bill 7 to a vote in the association, you will realize that people have divergent views.
Let LAZ not sway citizens into believing that its position is the position of all its members!
Zambia’s Politically Charged Past: Why We Need a New Era of Dialogue and Development
Since Independence in 1964, Zambia has enjoyed a reputation as a peaceful nation. Yet beneath this image lies a reality that has shaped our development trajectory for decades,Zambia has been politically charged since the beginning, and this constant political heat has left little room for national reflection or meaningful development dialogue.
The early years of independence were marked by rapid consolidation of political power, ultimately leading to the One-Party era (1973–1991). While intended to promote unity, the arrangement stifled dissent and entrenched the belief that politics is a dangerous and divisive space. When multiparty democracy returned, the political temperature escalated. Competition intensified, institutions weakened, and violence became a tool in elections and by-elections.
Today, the violence witnessed in markets, bus stations, and campaigns is often caused not by true party members but by unemployed youths turned into political thugs “cadres” in name but not in ideology. Their existence reflects a deeper governance gap: the absence of a national platform for long-term development dialogue.
To build a more peaceful Zambia, several solutions are urgent:
Establish a permanent National Dialogue Forum for cross-party and citizen engagement.
Depoliticise institutions such as police, civil service, and ECZ.
Disband cadres from markets and public spaces, restoring council authority.
Introduce nationwide political and civic education.
Invest in youth economic empowerment to remove violence’s economic appeal.
Zambia must lower its political temperature. Only then can we focus on what truly matters poverty reduction, job creation, quality healthcare, and national unity. A politically sober Zambia is possible, but it begins with deliberate leadership choices and a collective commitment to peace.
Newton Ng’ambi- Commissar In the Socialist Party Zambia – cnnp17@gmail.com +260 977 892 875
CITIZENS FIRST RAISES CONCERNS OVER TIMING OF CHAWAMA BY-ELECTION
Lusaka, December 13, 2025
By Jack Makayi
The opposition Citizens First party has expressed concern over the manner in which the Chawama Parliamentary by-election has been initiated, warning that the short timeframe could undermine the credibility and competitiveness of the electoral process.
In a press statement issued on Saturday by Lusaka Provincial Chairperson Mr. M’hango Stanley on behalf of Citizens First, Citizens First said the declaration of the Chawama seat vacant by the Speaker of the National Assembly, followed by the swift announcement of the nomination date, has not allowed political parties sufficient time to identify, scrutinize, and adopt suitable candidates.
While acknowledging that Section 89(2) of the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016 permits the holding of a by-election within 180 days before the dissolution of Parliament, the party argued that the rushed process falls short of regional and international benchmarks for democratic elections. Citizens First cited the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections, which emphasize adequate preparation and inclusiveness.
Despite these concerns, Citizens First confirmed its readiness to participate in the by-election but maintained that the limited notice compromises effective participation and preparedness. The party also called on law enforcement agencies to provide impartial and professional security to all political parties during the nomination process.
As the campaign period approaches, Citizens First urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to ensure a level playing field for all contestants. The party emphasized the need to respect freedom of assembly as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution and called for fair and non-selective application of the Public Order Act.
The party further appealed to public media institutions to offer balanced, fair, and equal coverage to all candidates. It announced plans to conduct media monitoring throughout the campaign period to assess the fairness and integrity of public media reporting.
Citizens First also raised concerns about the impact of load-shedding and unreliable internet connectivity on the electoral process. The party demanded adequate lighting at all polling stations to facilitate transparent vote counting and called for manual transmission of results to the constituency collation centre, citing vulnerabilities in the electronic transmission system.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful participation, Citizens First said it would campaign for a clean, transparent, and violence-free by-election. The party called on the ECZ, law enforcement agencies, and media institutions to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and fairness during the electoral process.
AES said the fate of the 11 Nigerian 🇳🇬 soldiers detained in Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 shall be decided after their investigation.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has announced that the fate of 11 Nigerian soldiers detained in Burkina Faso will be decided after the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
This was confirmed by Mali’s Minister of Security and Civil Protection, Daoud Aly Mohammedine, in an interview with the BBC.
Authorities within the AES say the matter is being handled through internal security and intelligence procedures, with no final decision taken yet.
The development highlights the growing security sensitivities and coordination challenges within the Sahel region as countries intensify counterterrorism and border control efforts.
📢 PROPAGANDA vs TRUTH: Israel now realizes damage it inflicted to Iran’s ballistic missile program ‘less severe’ than initially thought
Israel’s military intelligence has revised its initial assessment of the damage inflicted on Iran’s ballistic missile program during its recent 12-day conflict. According to reports, Iran still maintains approximately 2,000 heavy ballistic missiles—roughly the same arsenal size it had before the June confrontation.
Israeli officials shared this updated intelligence with US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, signaling renewed calls for coordinated action between Jerusalem and Washington to address what they describe as an unacceptable long-term threat.
Israel’s military intelligence has revised its initial assessment of the damage inflicted on Iran’s ballistic missile program during its recent 12-day conflict. According to reports, Iran still maintains approximately 2,000 heavy ballistic missiles, roughly the same arsenal size it had before the June confrontation.
Israeli officials shared this updated intelligence with US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, signaling renewed calls for coordinated action between Jerusalem and Washington to address what they describe as an unacceptable long-term threat.
This development raises important questions about military intelligence accuracy, the challenges of assessing battlefield effectiveness, and how nations recalibrate their strategies when initial assumptions prove incorrect. It also highlights the complex dynamics between Israel, Iran, and the United States in addressing regional security concerns.
Thailand ‘CONCERNED’ by Trump’s Truth post, clarifies there’s NO ceasefire with Cambodia
Thailand has expressed serious concerns over Donald Trump’s recent Truth Social post, with officials clarifying that there is NO ceasefire agreement with Cambodia.
The Thai Foreign Ministry stated that “some points don’t reflect an accurate understanding of the situation,” while analysts suggest Trump may have “deliberately distorted the facts” for political purposes.
This diplomatic pushback highlights growing tensions around misinformation in international relations and the challenges of navigating geopolitical narratives in the social media age.
SAFA denies racism, sexism allegations against coach Hugo Broos, blames misinterpretation and language barrier
The South African Football Association (SAFA) has issued a strong defence of head coach Hugo Broos, dismissing media claims labelling him as racist and sexist.
The allegations stemmed from remarks made during a recent press conference, where Broos criticised a senior player’s conduct and the premature overseas transfer push by the player’s agent.
Hugo Broos slammed Mbekezeli Mbokazi for arriving late to the Bafana Bafana camp and called his conduct unprofessional. He also controversially said he would “have a talk with him and he’ll come out of my room as a white guy,” a remark that sparked accusations of racially coded language and led to criticism from political groups and complaints to the Human Rights Commission.
SAFA attributed the backlash to a “misinterpretation” and language barriers, stressing that Broos’s comments were purely football-related and aimed at protecting player welfare.
The association highlighted Broos’s transformational impact and unity within the squad, affirming full support as Bafana Bafana prepare for the upcoming AFCON tournament..
Golden Party of Zambia (GPZ) leadership visit it’s structures in southern province.
13th December 2025
GOLDEN Party of Zambia (GPZ) president Jackson Silavwe in the company of other party senior leaders were in Mazabuka Southern province (Saturday, December 13,) to check on the party leadership and structures in the province.
Mr. Silavwe who met the GPZ Southern province Chairperson, Board Member (BM) Mudenda, Mazabuka District Chairperson, Board Member (BM) Kaziba and his vice Board Member (BM) Hachintu expressed delight that the structures in the province were intact and growing exponentially.
Mr Silavwe also received a detailed briefing on the state of the party in all the districts in the province.
The (GPZ) leader expressed satisfaction with the activities that his party has continued to under take in mobilising in readiness for the 2026 general elections.
Mr. Silavwe who further assured that his party will continue with issue based politics, encouraged all those wishing to join GPZ not to hesitate but join now using the local GPZ leadership in the districts.
Zimbabwe has introduced new regulations aimed at boosting local economic empowerment.
Under the new rules, foreign-owned businesses in selected sectors must transfer 75% ownership to Zimbabweans by 2028, starting from December 2025.
The policy mainly affects small, everyday businesses such as salons, bakeries, retail shops, transport services, and artisanal mining, which are now reserved for local citizens. Businesses that fail to comply will be forced to shut down or leave the country.
Large foreign investors are exempted if they invest heavily and employ more than 100 Zimbabweans, while key sectors like banking and large-scale mining remain open to foreign participation.
The government says the move is meant to empower ordinary Zimbabweans, but critics warn it could scare away investors and slow economic growth.
Something deeply unusual is happening behind closed doors. Ukraine’s top peace negotiator held secret, extended meetings not with the CIA or State Department, but with FBI Director Kash Patel and his deputy, Dan Bongino.
Why does this matter? The FBI is a domestic law enforcement agency, not a foreign policy institution. Intelligence cooperation and peace talks traditionally run through Langley, not Quantico.
Yet Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s negotiating delegation, spent hours in undisclosed meetings with FBI leadership. Western officials privately described these sessions as “troubling.”
The FBI isn’t interested in battlefield maps; it’s interested in crimes, evidence, and leverage.
Reports suggest the FBI holds recordings from Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) linked to high-level corruption cases involving figures close to President Zelensky. These tapes triggered a cascade of dismissals in Kyiv: ministers removed, careers ended, even Andriy Yermak forced out.Umerov’s name appears in those materials.
So what was discussed in these secret meetings? Two possibilities, both devastating: 1️⃣ The tapes themselves: who appears, who authorized what, how far up the corruption goes. If released, they would detonate Ukraine’s leadership.
2️⃣ Bargaining: peace terms for silence, concessions with Russia for non-disclosure, political survival for geopolitical compliance.
That’s not diplomacy. That’s leverage.
The question now: Who is really negotiating Ukraine’s future, elected officials or those holding the tapes?
The coming days will reveal everything. Either way, the signal has been sent—and it’s deeply unsettling.
🇨🇳🇯🇵 Japan Tried to Cry “Danger” and Exposed How Blind Its Air Force Really Is
What Japan Didn’t Tell the Public
The China–Japan military aircraft incident isn’t cooling down. It’s getting worse for Tokyo, because new details released by Japanese media are quietly exposing what Japan’s Defence Ministry initially tried to hide.
Here’s what actually matters:
👉 Advance Warnings Were Issued and Denied
First, China DID issue advance warnings before the incident. Japan now claims it “didn’t receive” them.
That’s convenient, because denying receipt allows Tokyo to:
• Dump blame on China • Inflate a media-driven “China threat” narrative • Distract from its own reckless behaviour
The odds strongly favour deliberate denial, not miscommunication.
👉 The Radar Numbers Japan Doesn’t Want Discussed
Japanese media revealed that J-15 carrier-based fighters radar-illuminated Japanese F-15Js twice:
• First at 52 km • Second at 148 km
That second distance is the key.
👉 One-Sided Detection, One-Sided Power
Japanese strategic analyst Kenji Minemura admitted something extraordinary: The F-15J likely didn’t even realise it was being illuminated at first and may have already been tracked or locked before its sensors noticed anything.
Why?
• F-15J radar detection range: ~100 km • Upgraded J-15 radar detection: 170+ km
Meaning this:
During the second illumination, the J-15 could see the F-15J clearly, while the F-15J couldn’t see the J-15 at all.
That’s not a “near miss”. That’s one-sided dominance.
👉 “30 Minutes” That Would End a Real Fight
Japan’s Defence Ministry claims the second radar illumination lasted “around 30 minutes”, detected by onboard sensors.
In real air combat terms, that’s catastrophic.
In modern BVR warfare:
“Detected = defeated.”
Not in 30 minutes. In seconds.
If this had been real combat, the F-15J and its pilot would not exist long enough to file a complaint.
👉 Likely Already Locked
Minemura goes further:
If the F-15J only realised it was being illuminated after 30 minutes, then the real exposure time was likely far longer and the J-15 may already have been in a full fire-control lock.
That’s not “unsafe flying”. That’s being hunted.
👉 Why Didn’t the F-15J Escape?
The next question is obvious: Why didn’t the F-15J disengage?
There are only two possibilities:
• The pilot chose to sit inside hostile radar for half an hour (extremely unlikely) • Or the pilot tried to escape and couldn’t
Experienced pilots don’t tolerate prolonged radar exposure, it induces genuine fear. The human factor alone rules out the first option.
So yes, the F-15J was likely trapped inside the J-15’s envelope.
👉 Japan’s Narrative Collapses
Japanese officials accused China of “unprofessional behaviour”.
But the Japanese aircraft was tracking and harassing the Liaoning carrier group, a floating sovereign asset, inside a publicly declared exercise zone in international waters.
That’s a serious security threat.
The J-15’s response was not reckless. It was restrained.
👉 If China Had Wanted to Make the Point Brutal…
If China had wanted to make the point brutally, the F-15J would never have realised it was being tracked at all.
We’ve seen this before.
Earlier this year, during the India–Pakistan air clash, Indian Rafale jets, far more advanced than the F-15J, were shot down by Chinese-origin aircraft without detecting a lock.
Even Indian media admitted the Rafale’s sensors rival fifth-generation standards.
If Rafales can be blindsided, an ageing F-15J stands no chance.
👉 The Backfire Effect
So Japan’s attempt to cry victim has achieved the opposite effect.
As more details emerge:
• Japan initiated the confrontation • Japan ignored warnings • Japan exposed its own air force’s vulnerability • Japan demonstrated how outmatched its aircraft are near Chinese carrier groups
In short: Tokyo tried to blame China and ended up humiliating itself.
👉 Final Reality Check 👈
Tracking and shadowing a Chinese aircraft carrier is not harmless observation. It’s a direct military provocation.
The radar illumination wasn’t aggression. It was a final warning.
If Japanese aircraft repeat this behaviour and close on Chinese carriers again, the next response won’t be a radar signal.
Japan should consider this episode carefully, because this time, it was allowed to fly home.
GOVT SIGNS DEAL TO OVERSEE OPERATIONS AT KIKONGE MINE
THE Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, ZCCM-Investment Holdings, and Minerals Mining Resources have signed a three-way memorandum of understanding to oversee and support mining operations at Kikonge Mine in North-Western Province.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Lusaka this morning, Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe said the agreement is a key step towards formalizing artisanal and small-scale gold mining in the area and will help bring order, safety, and accountability to mining activities at Kikonge.
Mr. Kabuswe added that under the MOU, Minerals Mining Resources, working with ZCCM-IH, will oversee mining activities, provide technical support, and facilitate access to equipment, infrastructure, and gold buying arrangements at Kikonge Mine.
The minister assured small-scale and artisanal miners that the government is working to integrate them into the formal mining system, not push them out. He stated that trained and licensed miners will be supported to operate legally and safely and will not be treated as illegal miners.
And Minerals Mining Resources Deputy General Manager Elise Tshibanga said the partnership represents a strong commitment to unlocking Zambia’s gold potential.
He said the firm is bringing its experience in exploration, mining, and artisanal mining management and is committed to transparency and compliance with Zambian laws and international standards.
I am deeply proud of my wife – Ned Nwoko expresses pride in Laila Charani as he makes lifetime promise to her
Nigerian politician Ned Nwoko has expressed pride in his wife, Laila Charani.
Taking to his Instagram and Twitter pages, the politician shared a video of their visit to her travel agency, expressing how proud he is of her. He noted how his Moroccan wife has transformed a bold vision into a structured and growing agency that is building credible international relationships
He said that as Laila continues to expand the agency’s footprint and global relevance, the future remains very promising. Ned promised to continue to give her my full support.
Yesterday, Laila and I had the honour of paying a courtesy visit to His Excellency, Peter Guschelbauer, the Austrian Ambassador to Nigeria, where we engaged in meaningful discussions on international cooperation. We discussed bilateral matters, particularly in the areas of trade and commerce, tourism, education, sports, and parliamentary relations.
I am deeply proud of how far my wife, Laila, has taken MNS Travel & Tours Ltd, transforming a bold vision into a structured and growing agency that is building credible international relationships.
As she continues to expand the agency’s footprint and global relevance, the future of MNS Travel & Tours remains very promising. As always, I will continue to give her my full support”.
Since his separation from Regina Daniels, Ned Nwoko has been channelling his love and energy to Laila
Cristiano Ronaldo may soon be trading football boots for fast cars and big screen action. Vin Diesel has confirmed that a role has been written specifically for the football icon in the next Fast & Furious movie, sparking excitement among both sports and film fans.
The actor shared a photo with Ronaldo on Instagram, hinting that the Portuguese star could become part of the franchise’s final chapter. The post instantly went viral, with fans imagining Ronaldo in high-speed chases and dramatic action scenes. While no official casting announcement has been made, the buzz alone has already taken over social media.
Vin Diesel shared the news on Instagram after meeting Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia. Posting a photo together, Diesel wrote that a role had been written for the football legend and praised him as “a real one.” Fans immediately picked up on the wording, especially since Diesel later edited the caption. Many now believe the role is meant for Fast and Furious 11, the planned conclusion to the main saga.
The two stars met after Diesel attended a football match involving Ronaldo’s club Al Nassr. Their friendly meeting quickly turned into a major talking point once Diesel’s post surfaced. This is not the first time Ronaldo has been linked to acting. Years ago, Diesel mentioned a role written for him that never happened. This time, however, the timing feels different as the franchise prepares for its final film.
Social media reactions came fast and loud. One viral post joked, “We got Ronaldo in Fast and Furious before GTA 6.” Another fan imagined, “Ronaldo doing a SIUUU after winning a street race.”
Some even suggested he should rip off his shirt after a stunt, just like he does after scoring goals. While a few critics questioned the move, most fans welcomed it as fun and bold.
The US special forces veteran whose rescue team spirited Nobel laureate María Corina Machado out of Venezuela has begged her not to return to the country, following a perilous extraction mission that lasted nearly 16 hours and was carried out largely in the middle of the night through rough waters.
“Overwhelmingly, this is the hardest, most high profile, most delicate operation we’ve conducted,” Grey Bull Rescue Foundation founder Bryan Stern told CNN on Friday, December 12.
Stern told a virtual press conference earlier that Machado had boarded a boat that set sail from the Venezuelan coast to a rendezvous point at sea, where she met Stern, who was waiting for her on another boat. She reached and boarded the second vessel by Tuesday night and was ferried to a different location.
He told CNN that his team has carried out 800 operations and rescued more than 8,000 people, but this was “the first person that has a Wikipedia page.”
Stern previously told reporters that the boat reached the shore early Wednesday morning. From there, Machado boarded a plane bound for Norway, where she was due to accept her Nobel Peace Prize and see her daughter for the first time in two years.
According to flight tracking data, the plane Machado used to arrive in Oslo took off Wednesday morning from Curaçao, an island near Venezuela, and stopped in Bangor, Maine, before heading to Norway.
The Dutch Embassy in Caracas, which is responsible for representing the interests of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, has denied any involvement in Machado’s escape.
Machado arrived in Oslo just hours after the ceremony for the Nobel Peace Prize, which her daughter accepted on her behalf. She was greeted by crowds of cheering supporters who she waved to from the balcony of Oslo’s Grand Hotel, and later said she met many Venezuelans hopeful they might one day return to a liberated country.
It was Machado’s first public appearance in almost a year. She went into hiding after the Venezuelan government moved to crush dissent following last year’s disputed election, resurfacing only briefly at a protest in January against the swearing-in of President Nicolás Maduro. Machado’s team on Friday declined to comment on the extraction operation and didn’t confirm to CNN whether the Grey Bull rescue team was involved.
Machado previously told reporters that she received support from the US government but declined to provide details, saying, “One day I will be able to tell you, because certainly I don’t want to put them in risk right now.”
Stern has said the operation was funded by anonymous donors and – to his knowledge – was not supported by the US government.
However, at a virtual press conference earlier on Friday, he acknowledged that his team did communicate with the US military to make them aware of their presence at sea. He said he wanted to avoid being targeted in the ongoing US operation against alleged drug boats in the Caribbean.
“In this case, because the US military is conducting operations in this part of the world, I was worried about – I was deeply concerned about being targeted by the US military,” he told reporters.
He added, “We communicated in such a way where the US government, the US military, knew that we were doing something in the region. They did not know the details of it. They knew where we would be operating, where some of our rally points were, and then at the very highest levels and the very last minutes we disclosed what the objective was.”
Asked if his team would ever help Machado return to Venezuela, Stern said he advised her against it.
“When we were on the boat together, we talked about this, and I begged her not to go back,” he told CNN.
“She’s a real hero and icon of mine, and to put her back in harm’s way where she may be arrested, killed, tortured, who knows what? – I would really not want to do that, but like us, she’s a leader, and she wants to be there for her people.”
Severe weather conditions over the past 72 hours in Gaza have left 14 people dead, including three children, the director general of the Gaza-based Health Ministry Munir Al-Boursh has revealed.
Over the past two years, many Palestinians were left with no option but to move into tents and temporary shelters amid the devastating war that left much of the enclave in ruins. Tents flooded with water and Palestinians were left “wading through sewage, mud and debris with no proper shelter,” aid group, Oxfam, said in a statement Saturday, adding that the difficult conditions are a “direct result of the systematic obstruction of aid.”
Palestinians pleaded for help amid the cold weather and rain that’s left their belongings soaked and destroyed. “The mattress, the blanket, everything, even the clothes, have become soaked with water. … Bring me a mattress. Bring me a tent. I beg you, for God’s sake, help me,” Um Mustafa told CNN on Friday. She said the only food she had left, a bag of flour and rice, were ruined after they were soaked with water, leaving her panicking in the middle of the night. “I went out screaming to the neighbors, asking them for help,” she said. “All my children became soaked by the rainwater.”
Tents, temporary shelters and even buildings, weakened by Israeli bombardment during the war, collapsed while families were inside, according to authorities and Palestinians in Gaza. An eight-month-old baby named Rahaf died of hypothermia, her family told CNN.
More than 27,000 tents were swept away and flooded, the Hamas-run government media office said in a statement. The ”complex humanitarian disaster” has affected at least 250,000 people, the media office said in a statement.
Israel and Hamas reached a truce in October, allowing the release of all living Israeli hostages and bringing the two-year war to a halt. Israel allowed aid into Gaza to implement the first stage of the agreement.
But Oxfam said Israeli authorities “continue to block the entry of basic shelter materials, fuel and water infrastructure,” which is leaving people exposed to “entirely preventable harm.” “When access is denied, storms become deadly. This suffering is being manufactured by policy, not weather,” the group said in a statement.
The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli agency tasked with facilitating aid distribution in Gaza, said in a statement that Israel is “committed to” and “fully upholds” its “obligation to transfer humanitarian aid trucks in accordance with the agreement.” “In this framework, hundreds of trucks enter each day carrying food, water, fuel, gas, medicines, medical equipment, tents and shelter equipment,” the agency said.
“Over the last few months, COGAT coordinated with the international community and facilitated the transfer of close to 270,000 tents and tarpaulins directly to the residents of the Gaza Strip.” “We are planning a catered humanitarian response for the upcoming winter,” COGAT said.
Despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s public embrace of the deal in September, significant gaps remain for the progression of the ceasefire agreement.
The US is pushing to move quickly into the next phase, but Israel is conditioning major steps on the return of the final deceased hostage and has been resisting US efforts to resolve a standoff with a pocket of isolated Hamas militants in the Israeli-occupied parts of southern Gaza.
Goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of France football legend Zinedine Zidane, has been included in Algeria’s squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to begin on December 21 in Morocco.
The 27-year-old, who plays for Spanish second-division side Granada, previously represented France at youth level before switching his international allegiance to Algeria. He made his senior debut for the North African side two months ago in a World Cup qualifier against Uganda.
Reacting after his first appearance, Zidane said: “It is an honour for me, and I will give 100% to make the Algerian people proud.”
Zidane is one of three goalkeepers named in the squad, alongside Oussama Benbot of USM Alger and Anthony Mandrea of French club Caen.
Announcing the team, Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic expressed confidence ahead of the tournament. “I’m sure the players will arrive highly motivated and ready to play in this AFCON,” he said. “The main objective is to get past the first round… with the ambition to go as far as possible in the tournament.”
Algeria will open their Group E campaign against Sudan on December 24, before facing Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea. Group winners and runners-up will advance automatically to the round of 16, along with the four best third-placed teams.
Meanwhile, reigning African champions Senegal also unveiled their squad, which includes six players based in the English Premier League. Head coach Pape Thiaw acknowledged the expectations on his side, saying: “We are among the favourites and we accept that. I want a dominant team.”
Senegal will compete in Group D, where they face Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Benin, as they look to defend their continental title.
Angry spectators broke down barricades and stormed the pitch at a stadium in India after football star Lionel Messi, who is on a three-day tour of the country, abruptly left the arena.
As a part of a so-called GOAT Tour, the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami superstar touched down in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday, greeted by a chorus of exuberant fans chanting his name.
Hours later, thousands of fans wearing Messi jerseys and waving the Argentine flag packed into Salt Lake stadium in the state capital, but heavy security around the footballer left fans struggling to catch a glimpse of him.
Messi walked around the pitch waving to fans and left the stadium earlier than expected. Frustrated fans, many having paid more than $100 for tickets, ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles onto the track. Many others stormed the pitch and vandalised banners and tents.
“For me, to watch Messi is a pleasure, a dream. But I have missed the chance to have a glimpse because of the mismanagement in the stadium,” businessman Nabin Chatterjee, 37, told AFP.
Before the chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 21-meter (70-foot) statue which shows him holding aloft the World Cup. He was also expected to play a short exhibition game at the stadium. Another angry fan told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that people had spent “a month’s salary” to see Messi.
“I paid Rs 5,000 ($55) for the ticket and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. The police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the management is to blame,” Ajay Shah told PTI.
Javed Shamim, a senior police official in the state, told reporters that the event’s “chief organiser” had been arrested, without giving any further details.
“There is total normalcy,” he said, adding that authorities would look into how organisers could refund money to those who bought tickets. State chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “disturbed” and “shocked” at the mismanagement. “I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” she said in a post on X, adding that she had ordered a probe into the incident.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said it was not involved in the “organisation, planning, or execution” of the “private event”. “Furthermore, the details of the event were neither communicated to the AIFF, nor was any clearance sought from the Federation,” a statement said.
Thailand’s leader vowed on Saturday, December 13, to keep fighting on the disputed border with Cambodia as fighter jets struck targets, hours after US President Donald Trump said he had brokered a new ceasefire.
Caretaker Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the Southeast Asian nation would “continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people.” Trump, who brokered a ceasefire in the long-running border dispute in October, spoke to Anutin and Cambodian premier Hun Manet on Friday and said they had agreed to “cease all shooting.”
Neither premier mentioned an agreement in statements after their calls with Trump, and Anutin explicitly denied there was a ceasefire.
“I want to make it clear. Our actions this morning already spoke,” Anutin posted on Facebook, and reports indicate that fighting, including air and rocket strikes, continued throughout Saturday.
At least four Thai soldiers were reported killed on Saturday, taking the death toll for the week’s clashes to at least 24 people.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet also did not confirm a ceasefire, though he welcomed a separate proposal by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the current chair of the 10-nation ASEAN grouping, to cease hostilities from Saturday evening.
Anwar’s plan included deploying an ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), led by the Malaysian Chief of Defence Forces, to monitor the situation, with support from US government satellite monitoring capabilities. The AOT’s findings are scheduled to be presented at an ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Tuesday, December 16.
Anutin, however, rejected the idea of an immediate, unconditional ceasefire, stating: “There has been no agreement on halting anything.” Thailand’s Foreign Minister added that while the country would cooperate with the observer team, any ceasefire must be preceded by talks.
Cambodia and Thailand have been exchanging heavy-weapons fire since Monday in some of the heaviest fighting since a July clash.
This latest round of violence was triggered by a skirmish on December 7 that wounded two Thai soldiers, which Thailand attributes to newly laid Cambodian landmines. Thailand suspended the earlier Trump-brokered truce after a Thai soldier was maimed by a landmine last month.
Cambodia denies the landmine allegations. Both sides have accused the other of escalating the conflict. Thai Defence Ministry spokesman Rear Adm. Surasant Kongsiri said clashes had taken place across seven border provinces, necessitating retaliation from Thailand. Cambodia, meanwhile, accused Thailand of continuing air strikes against its territory even after Trump’s announcement.
Hundreds of thousands of people on both sides of the border have been displaced since the fresh fighting broke out. Speaking from a camp on the Cambodian side, 62-year-old Mar Kly said she had fled “so many wars” in the past, adding that the current conflict is between the two governments, not the people.
🔥 BROOS UNDER FIRE: Racism & Sexism Storm Engulfs Bafana Coach as SAHRC Complaint Looms Ahead of AFCON 🔥
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has finally broken his silence after a wave of outrage erupted over remarks widely condemned as racist and sexist, throwing South African football into controversy just days before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The storm followed comments Broos made during a media briefing in Pretoria, where he lashed out at defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi over his late arrival at national team camp after completing a move from Orlando Pirates to MLS side Chicago Fire FC.
Among the remarks that triggered national backlash, Broos was quoted saying:
> “I will have a chat with him after training, and I can assure you, he’s a black guy and he will leave my room as a white guy.”
He also reportedly referred to Mbokazi’s agent, Basia Michaels, as a “nice little woman who is his agent” while criticising the overseas transfer — comments that many viewed as both racially charged and sexist.
🔴 Political & Legal Fallout
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has since lodged a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), accusing the Belgian coach of making statements that demean black players and women in football. The issue has quickly moved beyond sport into the political and human rights arena.
🟡 SAFA Steps In
The South African Football Association (SAFA) rushed to Broos’s defence, insisting the comments were misinterpreted and taken out of context. According to SAFA, the coach was merely expressing frustration over what he described as an “unprofessional attitude” and a premature overseas move that disrupted national team preparations.
Broos himself denied any racist or sexist intent, saying:
> “It is unfortunate that my strong rebuke of the player’s conduct was misinterpreted as racism and sexism. I distance myself completely from such accusations.”
SAFA further blamed a language barrier, suggesting Broos struggled to clearly express himself in English, leading to public misunderstanding.
⚠️ A Pattern of Controversy?
This is not the first time Broos has sparked debate with his blunt, uncompromising style. Since taking over Bafana Bafana, he has frequently clashed with:
Local clubs over player availability
Journalists over criticism of his selections
Agents and administrators over player transfers
While some praise him as “straight-talking and disciplined”, others argue his comments often cross cultural and racial sensitivities, especially in a country with South Africa’s painful history.
🏆 AFCON Pressure Mounts
Despite the uproar, SAFA has reaffirmed its full support for Broos, stressing that no formal complaints of racism or sexism have been raised internally by players or staff during his four-year tenure.
> “SAFA, the players and the technical team are fully behind coach Broos. Our focus is now solely on AFCON,” the association said.
As Bafana Bafana heads into one of its most important tournaments, the big question remains: Can the team unite behind the coach — or will this controversy overshadow South Africa’s AFCON campaign?
🗣️ Your thoughts? Were Broos’s remarks misunderstood — or did he cross a line?
