⬆️ BUILD-UP | Tonse Alliance Constitution Under Siege
Sean Tembo, President of PeP and Tonse spokesperson, has now pulled out the Alliance constitution as his shield, arguing that the September 30 meeting called by Dr. Chris Zumani is both legal and binding.
Tembo’s argument is significant. By citing Article 15 of the Alliance Constitution, he makes the case that Zumani, as founding National Coordinator, has the authority to convene meetings and issue notices. This directly undercuts Raphael Nakacinda’s claim that the planned gathering is irregular. In Tembo’s reading, Nakacinda’s title as “Secretary General” does not even exist in the founding document. That line is not only legal but also political dynamite: it strips PF’s claim to control Tonse down to naked ambition.
The underlying battle is one of control. PF leaders insist that because Lungu was the Alliance’s adopted presidential candidate, the next leader must emerge from their ranks. Tembo and Zumani, however, are pushing a broader vision that Tonse must evolve beyond PF’s shadow if it is to survive. What is emerging is a tug of war between those who want Tonse as a PF vehicle, and those who want it as a genuine coalition.
Tembo’s reference to “team building and reconciliation” is telling. Behind the speeches, the Alliance is fracturing under personal rivalries and ambition. Leaders are sniping at each other through the media. PF is still invoking Lungu’s ghost to delay succession. And yet, the 2026 elections are just 11 months away. The risk is that Tonse spends its energy on internal disputes instead of mounting a serious challenge to UPND.
PF’s posture is clear: block any move that weakens their grip. But that posture carries risks. By rejecting constitutional provisions and clinging to invented titles, PF risks looking like a party unwilling to play by its own rules. In contrast, Tembo’s recourse to the letter of the constitution allows him to project himself as a custodian of order — even as his own party PeP is a junior player in the coalition.
The Malawi factor has also added fuel. PF cadres are pointing to Mutharika’s comeback as a sign that Zambia will follow the same path. Yet Tonse’s internal confusion makes that comparison shaky. Malawi’s opposition was united against Chakwera. Zambia’s opposition, through Tonse, is visibly divided. Without clarity, there will be no “wind of change,” only a storm of confusion.
The September 30 meeting now looms large. If it goes ahead, it could mark the first real attempt to reset Tonse after Lungu’s death. If it collapses under PF resistance, it will confirm that the Alliance is little more than a fractured stage for competing egos. Either way, the clock is ticking. UPND is already reorganizing in new territories, while Tonse is locked in constitutional battles.
The impasse reveals a deeper truth about Zambian politics: alliances formed for convenience rarely survive moments of stress. Unless Tonse leaders put aside the shadow boxing and face the reality of 2026, the Alliance risks being remembered not for its victory, but for its implosion.
Share your views with us at editor.peoplebrief@gmail.com
© The People’s Brief | Build-Up
Tonse Alliance is nothing without PF. All the other smaller briefcase parties have failed to mobilise, organise structures on the ground and in all fairness dont even know HOW TO FILE NOMINATION PAPERS. Can someone explain what has stopped KBF from participating in any bye elections since 2021? What has stopped Sean Tembo from traversing the Country like Kalaba is doing? All these smaller parties are merchants of Confusion with extremely elevated egos. They think they can hijack and ride on the PF STRUCTURES whilst PF idly watches. Infact Tonse would go into oblivion the moment PFpulls out ( the same way UKA and SABOI are now quiet). Lubinda and PF must be decisive and chart the way forward at the earliest.
You have hit the nail on its head and 100% right. Without PF, Tonse Alliance is nothing. The problem is that, Tonse Alliance is not a party capable of fielding a Presidential candidate and will need NCP of Reverend Peter Chanda to do so or some other party, certainly not PEP of Sean Tembo. With this wrangling, why did PF not just form its own new party quickly and invite other small parties to join?
The Confusion in Tonse Alliance will continue up to the 2026 Presidential and General Elections..If you fire Sean Tembo from the Alliance, he will go to court, and our courts will relish this case.. It will be a bonus. Having both PF and Tonse Alliance cases on the menu will be very appetizing for our Courts. They will be caressing it up to 13th August, 2026.
It’s time for the Patriotic Front to be decisive… Even Plan C can work.
UKA failed because of Saboi Imboela ‘s confusion, and the same Sean Tembo, who stealthily stole Edgar Lungu to the Tonse Alliance under false pretenses.
Tonse Alliance with Sean Tembo and KBF is not going anywhere.. Immediately the Patriotic Front leaves , Tonse Alliance Dies.
There’s no point for the Patriotic Front to continue wasting time in Tonse Alliance.
After Sean Tembo’s 30th September, 2025 meeting the PF should ditch the Alliance, and work on Plan C.
Whoever took the Patriotic Front to Sean Tembo lacked Foresight..No thorough due diligence was done. Honestly we have lived with Sean Tembo’s zeros for years, and we know who he is , can such a big party like the PF allow itself to get entangled in his net of zeros.
Sean Tembo would do well to join Umozi kumawa group. In that set up of UK their banana republic ideas will be in synch and harmonious.