Rev. Nevers Mumba Chooses Dialogue Over Politics to Heal Zambia’s Divide
…as he embarks on new ‘nonpartisan’ national role after ‘retirement’.
“My honest position is nobody — not Hon. Brian Mundubile and Hon. Makebi Zulu today, nor HH and Nevers yesterday — must be mistreated,” Mumba said. “In Zambia we work on the presumption of innocent until proven guilty. Everyone deserves fair treatment, even after conviction, you need fair treatment.” –Rev. Nevers Mumba, 15th Sept. 2026, Lusaka.
AM-Lusaka, 15 September 2026
In a dramatic turn of Zambia’s post election narrative, opposition leader Rev. Nevers Mumba has announced his resignation from active politics to pursue dialogue and reconciliation, declaring his new role as that of a “non partisan envoy” dedicated to healing a ‘fractured nation’.
“I have today resigned from active politics to pursue a new role,” Mumba told journalists during a near hour long press conference at his party headquarters in Lusaka.
Rev. Mumba said, “In fact, I am not resigning, I am redefining my role in politics as a statesman to that of advisory and counsel. I have already spoken to my brother President Hichilema about this and he agrees with me.”
Former Vice President the Rev. Mumba, a former Ambassador of Zambia to Canada and seasoned priest with 29 years in politics and diplomacy, said the fractious 13 August poll left Zambia deeply divided. “We need unity in Zambia, and unity does not happen by accident,” he stressed.
The Rev’s revelation came during a probing interview with veteran broadcaster of 52 years and diplomat Amb. Frank Mutubila, who asked how reconciliation could begin after a disputed election and detained political foes naming Brian Mundubile and others.
“Ambassador Mutubila said the country is divided while President Hichilema during his inauguration said the same thing adding from the President ‘how do we reconcile coming from a disputed election’. So there’s a starting point here with me and others that desire unity and peace outside partisan politics,” Rev. Mumba replied.
On Detentions and Human Rights
The sharpest moment of the presser came when Mr. Mutubila asked about the incarceration of leading opposition figures Hon. Brian Mundubile, his running mate Hon. Makebi Zulu, and retired Anglican Bishop Trevor Mwamba, others, detained at Mukobeko Maximum Prison 150kms north of Lusaka since late August without appearing in court.
“My honest position is nobody — not Hon. Brian Mundubile and Hon. Makebi Zulu today, nor HH and Nevers yesterday — must be mistreated,” Mumba said. “In Zambia we work on the presumption of innocent until proven guilty. Everyone deserves fair treatment under the laws of Zambia, even after conviction.” Rev. Nevers Mumba, 15th Sept. 2026, Lusaka.
He warned: “Today it may be Brian, Makebi and others. Tomorrow it maybe you. So let’s just do things right, i demand fair treatment for all in incarceration apart from Hon. Mundubile.”
A Chorus for Dialogue
Mumba’s call echoes a growing chorus:
- Harry Kalaba, Citizens First president, has urged moderation and dialogue, saying Zambia cannot heal while opposition leaders remain behind bars.
- Akashambatwa Mbikusita Lewanika, father of Zambia’s return to multi party democracy, has pleaded for magnanimity from government, citing Nelson Mandela’s dictum that “you cannot negotiate peace with a prisoner.”
- Isaac Mwanza, rights activist, has demanded a speedy trial for Mundubile, Zulu, and 16 others, stressing their right to due process.
- Other voices — from retired Bishop John Mambo to analysts and lawyers like Muhabi Lungu
- Many have wished Mumba goodwill in his new path, seeing dialogue as the antidote to attrition and dystopia.
Historical Context
Zambia has weathered divisions before:
- Under Kenneth Kaunda, reconciliation was forged after bitter independence struggles.
- Under Frederick Chiluba, the nation navigated tense transitions.
- Under Edgar Lungu, Zambia endured contested polls but avoided civil rupture.
- Zambia survived the deaths of President Levy Mwanawasa and President Michael Sata in office
•
Rev. Mumba said President Hichilema needs the counsel of all five former vice presidents to guide governance in the absence of living ex presidents, much as Kaunda faced in the early republic as first President.
Why Dialogue Matters
Conflict corrodes; dialogue heals. Zambia’s political history shows that reconciliation has always been the bridge from crisis to stability.
International observers, from the Commonwealth to Amnesty International the UN, AU, SADC, LAZ and NGOs, have repeatedly urged Lusaka to embrace dialogue over confrontation.
Rev. Mumba’s reported pivot to statesmanship, with his proximity to President Hichilema, may prove catalytic.
By stepping aside from partisan trenches, he positions himself as a neutral broker — a role Zambia sorely needs amid arrests, tension, and contested legitimacy.
His words resonate: “There cannot be any meaningful economic development if Zambia remains divided. We must reunite the nation.”
Some Zambians sceptics are still wondering what the back-story to Rev. Mumba’s decision to step aside is, given his proximity with President Hichilema at a time most are calling for dialogue and release of Mundubile and corps.
Bullet Point Emphasis
- Rev. Nevers Mumba resigns active politics, redefines role as “non partisan envoy.”
- Press conference lasted nearly an hour, hosted at party HQ in Lusaka.
- Calls for unity after fractious 13 August poll.
- Urges fair treatment of detained leaders Brian Mundubile, Makebi Zulu, Bishop Trevor Mwamba.
- Echoes voices of Harry Kalaba, Akashambatwa Lewanika, Isaac Mwanza, Muhabi Lungu.
- Warns abuse today could target anyone tomorrow.
- Stresses dialogue as Zambia’s historical path to healing and development.
- Hon. Mundubile remains in detention two weeks before appearing in court to answer charges as Rev. Mumba calls for justice for across party line, as many wish for dialogue
Amb. Anthony Mukwita, Author & International Relations Analyst: Reflection on Rev. Nevers Mumba’s Press Conference Lusaka, 15 September 2026 in Lusaka.