STATEMENT ON POLITICAL ALLIANCES AND THE PATH TO 2026 BY THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S CHAIRLADY OF CITIZENS FIRST
6th February 2026
Fellow Zambians, Sisters, Mothers, and Daughters of our beloved Nation,
I address you today from a place of deep reflection and unwavering commitment to the future of Zambia. As the National Women’s Chairlady of Citizens First, I speak not only for our party but for the countless women who bear the heaviest burdens of political promises unfulfilled and the youth whose future is negotiated in corridors of power.
The topic of political alliances is once again at the forefront of our national discourse. We welcome dialogue and partnership with any political party that is sincere in its desire to serve the Zambian people. However, after decades of cyclical disappointment, we must approach this moment with wisdom, clarity, and an uncompromising demand for transparency.
Citizens First was founded on a promise: to put the needs of the common Zambian above all else. Since our inception in 2022, we have been diligently preparing for the 2026 elections with a singular focus on this promise.
1. We Listened: We have traversed the length and breadth of this country, from bustling markets to remote villages, to sit with you, to hear your struggles, and to appreciate the real challenges facing our citizens—the high cost of living, access to healthcare and education, and the need for sustainable livelihoods.
2. We Prepared: From these conversations, we have meticulously drafted a People’s Manifesto, a document born from the soil of Zambia, reflecting your aspirations and our pragmatic solutions.
3. We Legitimized Our Leadership: In fulfillment of the democratic and constitutional requirements, we held a transparent and vibrant National Convention. At this convention, the members of Citizens First duly elected and ratified Hon. Harry Kalaba as our Presidential Candidate for 2026. He is prepared, he is ready, and he carries your voice.
Therefore, as we discuss alliances, we must ask fundamental questions. We welcome partnership, but we must know where potential allies stand on the pre-condition of presidential candidature. What is the purpose they carry? Alliances cannot be mere marriages of convenience for sharing power; they must be marriages of principle for sharing a national vision.
In this critical moment, we also call upon the wisdom of our elders and traditional counsellors. We ask that their guidance be inclusive and non-aligned, focused solely on the unity and prosperity of Zambia. We know all political parties have their own advisors, but the Council of our Elders should transcend partisan interests to shepherd the nation towards a common good.
We are ready to share our manifesto, to exchange ideologies, and to find common ground. Needless to say, Zambians cannot afford to be betrayed again. History has shown that when political calculations override the people’s will, it is the youth, the future of this country who suffer the most from unemployment and lost opportunity. It is women who struggle to feed their families.
We therefore urge all political leaders seeking alliances to be open with Zambians. Let them share what they carry in their hearts for this country. We need to trust again. We need to believe again. To this end, we advocate for open, round-table meetings focused not on positions, but on a common agenda for serving and saving our nation.
Our position is clear:
· Any alliance with a proper, people-centered agenda for Zambia is welcome.
· Any presidential candidate that the majority of Zambians will recommend—and not just a political party—will receive our support.
· We have prepared President Harry Kalaba for the task, and he stands ready to lead.
· However, any other presidential candidate who has genuinely convinced the Zambian people and shares our core ideals for transformation is welcome to work with us. We are ready to work with such a leader for the greater good.
The hour is late, and the need is great. Zambians are waiting. They are waiting for leadership that sees them, hears them, and places them at the center of every decision.
Let us remember, in every conversation, in every negotiation, and in every alliance: It is Zambians First. It is Citizens First.
Faith Munthali
National Women’s Chairlady
Citizens First.