WHEN THE CITIZEN FEARS THE STATE HE FUNDS, THE REPUBLIC MUST STOP AND LOOK AT ITSELF.
My fellow citizens, there are moments when silence becomes sin. Zambia is in such a moment.
I speak as a pastor, a father, and a Zambian. I respect the Constitution. I respect the office of the President. I respect the outcome of our elections as declared by the lawful institutions of the Republic.
I call for no protest. I call for no disobedience. I call for no disorder. I call only for truth, law, and healing, through peaceful and constitutional means.
I ask one question: Can a citizen disagree with those who govern and still sleep in peace?
I ask it not from rumour, but from the public record.
On 19 August 2026, UN High Commissioner Volker Türk expressed concern over reports of arrests and detentions of opposition members before and after our 13 August 2026 General Elections. He called for no arbitrary arrest, for access to a lawyer, and for prompt appearance before a judge.
On 2 September 2026, UN Special Rapporteur Gina Romero raised concerns about intimidation, political detentions, alleged prolonged detention without formal charge, and shrinking civic space.
On 3 November 2026, the European Union Election Observation Mission published its final report. It praised competitive choice and efficient polling. It also recorded concerns about police bias, cadreism, unequal campaign conditions, undue incumbency advantage, biased state broadcasting, self-censorship under cyber laws, and weaknesses in transparency and access to justice.
Government is entitled to disagree. Disagreement is not the problem. The question is whether the observations will be examined on their evidence.
These findings do not ask for a press statement. They ask for examination.
WHAT OUR INDEPENDENCE MEANT
Our Fathers did not win independence to change who sits in the chair. They fought so that power itself would serve the people, and never frighten the people.
Dr Kenneth Kaunda called us to One Zambia, One Nation. He did not mean one party, one opinion, one permitted voice. He meant one family, where we can argue at the table and still eat from the same pot.
The opposition is not outside the Republic. The journalist is not outside the Republic. The citizen who questions is not outside the Republic. They are the Republic.
THE CONSTITUTION GOVERNS THE GOVERNORS
Article 8 binds us to democracy, human dignity, equality and good governance. Article 11 protects liberty. Article 18 guarantees a fair hearing. Article 20 protects the mouth that speaks. Article 21 protects the feet that gather in peace. Article 23 forbids punishment for holding a different political opinion.
This is not a favour from State House. This is a covenant with every Zambian, including the Zambian who did not vote for the ruling party.
No one is above the law. If there is credible suspicion, investigate lawfully, charge on evidence, and let an independent court decide.
Arrest is not proof of guilt. Detention is not a substitute for evidence. And criminal law must never be used to settle a political difference. The law must remain a shield for the citizen, not a sword for whoever holds the State.
A MORAL QUESTION
Amos cried: “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” Amos 5:24.
A river does not ask who you voted for before it gives you water. Justice must be like that. It must flow to the ally and to the opponent. To the powerful and to the powerless.
A government will not be judged only by its roads and budgets. It will be judged by how it treats the man who has no lawyer, no connection, and no voice, except the Constitution.
To all who hold office, I say it with respect and without fear:
No one is entrusted with owning Zambia. We are all entrusted with serving Zambia.
The police belong to the Republic, not to a party. Public institutions serve the Constitution, not the men who temporarily occupy office. Authority ends where dignity begins.
A confident government does not fear a peaceful critic, a free press, or a lawful opposition. It fears only betraying its own Constitution.
THREE THINGS THAT CANNOT WAIT
- Answer the record: Address the EU Mission’s 13 recommendations, and especially its 8 priority recommendations, point by point. Where Government disagrees, let it say why, with facts. Where reform is needed, let it give a timetable.
- Investigate and disclose: Every credible allegation of arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, or unequal policing should be investigated impartially, through lawful channels. Findings should be made public where the law allows. A detainee’s right to a lawyer and to a judge is not negotiable.
- Restore trust by action: Protect peaceful assembly. Safeguard expression. Review the cyber laws against our Constitution and our human rights commitments. Let ZNBC become a true public broadcaster for all Zambians. Let the Electoral Commission command confidence across all political divides.
These are not favours to the opposition. They are duties of constitutional government.
WHAT SHALL WE LEAVE OUR CHILDREN?
Think of the young Zambian who wants to question a decision. Think of the journalist investigating an office-holder. Think of the opposition supporter going to a peaceful meeting. Think of the mother asking police for protection.
Their political opinion must never decide the dignity, protection, or fairness they receive.
Our children must inherit a Republic where disagreement is lawful, criticism is not hostility, and institutions are trusted because they serve everyone.
I write not for one party, nor against one party. I write because the Republic is greater than the fortunes of those who govern it.
As a minister of the Gospel, I cannot preach righteousness and be silent when dignity is wounded. Truth does not change its colour when power changes hands.
The freedom of a citizen must never depend on whether his opinion pleases any holder of office.
I make no finding against any named person, officer, or institution. I make no allegation that any specific person has committed an offence. I ask only that the law be applied equally, and that every observation be tested by evidence, not by anger.
Let government listen. Let institutions examine themselves. Let the law be applied equally. Let power remember that office is a trust, not a possession.
ZAMBIA MUST REMAIN A REPUBLIC WHERE THE STATE PROTECTS THE CITIZEN, THE LAW RESTRAINS POWER, AND DEMOCRACY MAKES ROOM FOR EVERY VOICE.
May God give our leaders wisdom to govern justly, our institutions courage to act impartially, and our people grace to defend freedom without abandoning peace.
GOD BLESS THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA.
Rev. Peter K Nsama.
12 November 2026.