AGP Executive Report

Elections & Rule of Law: The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) dismissed as false and malicious claims on social media that it was plotting to disqualify presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and running mate Makebi Zulu, warning the public to rely on verified ECZ channels. Anti-Corruption: The ACC arrested three Ministry of Fisheries officials over alleged misappropriation of over K8.8m linked to the Sustainable Livestock Infrastructure Management Project, with charges including fraudulent false accounting and corrupt acquisition of public property. Public Service Ethics: Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa ordered action against public officers who joined politics without resigning before May 15, citing violations of the Public Service Code of Ethics. Campaign Environment: Copperbelt police warned politicians against causing trouble during the campaign period, stressing that police will enforce the law regardless of “certificates and degrees.” Housing & Economy: Government launched the “Bondi Yanga” housing finance campaign with ZNBS to tackle Zambia’s housing deficit, aiming to expand access to affordable housing finance. Health Security: As Ebola in eastern DR Congo surged past 1,000 suspected cases, regional border controls and heightened surveillance intensified, with WHO calling for an immediate ceasefire to help response efforts. International: Kenya provided written approval for the US to set up a quarantine facility in Kenya for Americans exposed to Ebola in the region.

US–Zambia Economic Reset: President Hakainde Hichilema urged a stronger Zambia–US partnership focused on trade, investment and private-sector jobs, during a courtesy call by the new US Chargé d’Affaires. Election Integrity Push: The ECZ rejected social-media claims that it plans to disqualify Tonse Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and running mate Makebi Zulu, saying they were duly nominated; meanwhile, UPND Copperbelt youth chair Wallen Hinyama took an adoption dispute to the High Court. Court Backlog Concern: Hichilema urged newly sworn judges to dispense cases faster, fairer and across the country as the judiciary decentralises. Energy and Industry: Anzana secured a US$20m BII-backed debt facility to speed small hydropower projects, with Zambia flagged as the first site; Zambia also commissioned a 22MW NRDC solar plant under the Presidential Solar Initiative. Health Emergency Watch: Ebola in DR Congo has surged to over 1,000 suspected cases, with Africa CDC warning multiple countries at risk including Zambia, as travel and screening measures tighten regionally. Critical Minerals Strategy: Government says Zambia will strengthen its critical minerals strategy for value addition, partnerships and responsible mining.

Energy Transition & Investment: Zambia is being positioned as a key player in Africa’s shift to solar, wind and storage, with a China–Zambia $1.5bn energy deal flagged alongside a broader continent-wide move away from coal and big dams. Power on the Ground: NRDC’s 22MW solar plant has begun feeding 20MW into the national grid under the Presidential Solar Initiative, with more capacity expected to support training and irrigation. Critical Minerals Strategy: Government says Zambia will strengthen its critical minerals strategy to move from extraction to value addition, industrialisation and jobs, with emphasis on better geological mapping. Digital Push: Smart Zambia and Huawei signed an MoU for a National AI Data Centre and training for 5,000 ICT professionals by 2028. Health & Social Services: Lusaka’s University Teaching Hospital says its kidney transplant programme has reached 39 transplants since 2018, while Zambia is set to benefit from a €10m global health fund to make primary healthcare “investment-ready.” Elections & Media Rules: ECZ rejects PF claims of a plot to disqualify Mundubile and Zulu; IBA says opinion polls are allowed only if broadcasters disclose key details. Politics & Courts: Lusaka Magistrates ordered mayoral candidate Simon Mwewa Chitambala to pay K20,000 for defamation. Agriculture: Crop forecasts project about 4.9m metric tonnes of maize, boosting hopes for a bumper harvest and surplus.

Chungu Interview Fallout: Zambia’s media watchdogs and broadcasters are at the centre of a fresh political storm after ThatZedPodcast said it could not air Xavier Chungu’s interview, while IBA insists no station was ordered to block it—fueling claims of “classified” content, with historian Sishuwa Sishuwa saying the only “classified” line was “change is coming.” Election Campaign Tensions: Opposition and ruling-aligned voices trade accusations over nominations and unopposed seats, with one side alleging staged violence to secure more than 85 unopposed MPs, while others argue the real contest is consolidating into a Hichilema vs PF-style matchup around Brian Mundubile and Tonse Alliance. ECZ Integrity Push: ECZ reports 10 forged Grade 12 certificates flagged during verification and hands cases to police, alongside voter education training in Muchinga. Politics Meets Daily Life: Government forecasts maize output near 4.9 million metric tonnes, while NHP rules out backing UPND and calls for national unity and constitutional reform. Other Signals: FAZ appoints Charles Chakatazya as General Secretary as football house uncertainty ends.

Media Freedom Clash: Zambia’s Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) has denied claims that it ordered Millennium TV and ZedPodcast to cancel a planned Xavier Chungu interview, saying no broadcaster was instructed to block or suspend anything linked to the Liberal Party presidential contender. The denial follows online uproar after ZedPodcast said the episode would not air “due to circumstances beyond our control,” and after Emmanuel Mwamba alleged threats of charges including espionage, sedition and treason. Election Integrity: In the same election build-up, the ECZ says it detected 10 forged Grade 12 certificates during 2026 verification, with cases referred to law enforcement. Campaign Rules: The IBA also released election coverage guidelines for August 2026, including bans on hate speech and on predicting results before official confirmation. Government Push: Vice President Mutale Nalumango launched the 2026 Zambia Mobile Congress with Huawei, pitching AI and digital transformation. Food Outlook: Government projects 4.9 million metric tonnes of maize for 2025/26, up from 3.8 million last season.

Freedom Day showdown: President Hakainde Hichilema used Africa Freedom Day to push “economic freedom” and warn against violence, but the mood turned tense when Tonse Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and running mate Makebi Zulu were denied access to jailed PF leader Raphael Nakacinda at Lusaka Central Correctional Facility. Cyber Act backlash: Makebi Zulu also claimed the Cyber Crimes Act is keeping many Zambians abroad and criticised the rushed appointment of 50 judges. ECZ adoption controversy: ActionAid says ECZ should have disqualified UPND over “adoption confusion,” arguing the Electoral Process Act allows suspension or disqualification. Election security concerns: Police arrested former Chavuma MP Victor Lumayi for allegedly going armed at a nomination centre. Justice and mercy: Hichilema pardoned 1,505 inmates and substituted sentences for 797. Health alert: WHO and Africa CDC warn Ebola is spreading rapidly in DR Congo and list Zambia among 10 high-risk countries. Politics under pressure: Mundubile insists PF prisoners’ freedom will come only after UPND leaves office.

Ebola Alarm Escalates: WHO says the DRC’s Ebola suspected death toll has climbed to 220, with Africa CDC warning 11 countries—including Zambia—are at heightened risk as Uganda reports new cases and the U.S. boosts screening and response funding. Local Peace and Rule of Law: Kalumbila’s Kisasa Market has reopened after a two-month closure tied to a deadly mob-justice incident, with traditional leadership urging residents to reject violence ahead of elections. Africa Freedom Day Politics: Opposition leader Judith Kabemba and President Hichilema both used Africa Freedom Day to push unity and reject tribalism, while Hichilema also highlighted economic development and CDF-style delivery. Election Integrity Watch: ECZ Mpulungu assured voters of transparency and impartiality, even as police arrest cases of people allegedly going armed at nomination centres. Media Freedom Shock: Botswana faces a steep 20-point drop in perceived media freedom, signalling shrinking civic space. Trade and Industry Push: AfCFTA names Rendeavour as its inaugural implementation partner to back industrialisation via special economic zones and trade corridors.

Africa Freedom Day & clemency: President Hakainde Hichilema marked Africa Freedom Day by freeing more than 1,500 inmates, with sentences commuted for hundreds more, as government framed the move as rehabilitation and restorative justice. Election tensions & violence claims: As nominations and campaigns heat up, NGOCC says women’s advocates were detained while supporting a female aspirant, while opposition voices warn that political violence and detentions are still blocking women’s leadership and shrinking democratic space. Opposition split & unopposed seats: The Tonse Pamodzi Alliance is accused of failing to file in many constituencies and wards, driving a rise in unopposed candidates—an issue Socialist Party leader Fred M’membe says should worry UPND, not be celebrated. Ebola alarm across borders: With DR Congo’s Ebola toll now reported above 200 and suspected cases rising, Africa CDC lists multiple countries, including Kenya and Zambia, as high risk, prompting stepped-up screening and preparedness at regional entry points. Sports & local life: Chipolopolo winger Lameck Banda helped US Lecce survive Serie A with a 1-0 win over Genoa; meanwhile, tourism ties between Malawi and Zambia are set to deepen through a joint technical committee.

Ebola Surge in DRC: The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ebola outbreak has worsened fast, with deaths now put at 204 and suspected cases at 867, as WHO upgrades the national risk to “very high” and warns conflict-hit eastern areas are hard to reach. Regional Alarm: Africa CDC says 10 countries—including Kenya and Zambia—are at high risk, pushing for stronger surveillance and border preparedness as Uganda confirms three new cases. Zambia’s Campaign Heat: Vice-President Mutale Nalumango tells supporters “you can’t handover to a group of failures,” while opposition figures trade accusations over nominations and unopposed seats. Nomination Disputes: Tonse Pamodzi says it filed in 220 of 226 constituencies, after claiming UPND violence and intimidation; ECZ also faces calls over last-minute electoral amendments. Presidential Filing Drama: Independent candidate Willah Mudolo says he’s written to ECZ to seek permission to file next week after missing the window. Africa Freedom Day Tone: Hichilema urges peace and unity ahead of May 25, as politicians and parties push for calm ahead of August 13.

Elections Under Fire: Tonse Pamodzi Alliance says it will sue ECZ after candidate disqualifications, arguing some were rejected for “arriving late” despite claims they were on time—while the dispute adds to a nominations week already marked by procedural complaints and ECZ deadline extensions. Party Registration Shock: Katotobwe’s PeP presidential bid is in limbo after he alleges the Registrar of Societies reclassified PeP as a church and even listed a deceased person as SG, blocking political activity. Court Challenge: EFF’s Kasonde Mwenda seeks judicial review over ECZ’s failure to let him preprocess nomination supporters after he was detained and transferred. ECZ Credibility Push: LAZ urges ECZ to enforce the electoral code and keep August polls violence-free and credible. Health Crisis Looms: Africa CDC warns Ebola could spread beyond DRC and Uganda, listing 10 at-risk countries including Kenya and Zambia as the death toll in DRC rises past 200. UPND Unopposed Politics: UPND figures point to unopposed seats as a sign of victory, while opposition leaders call it a sign of intimidation and vote suppression.

Ebola Alert: Africa CDC says 10 countries—including Kenya and Zambia—are now “at risk” as Ebola spreads from conflict-hit DRC and Uganda confirms new cases, with WHO calling the outbreak an international emergency. UPND vs Opposition Tensions: As Zambia’s nomination fallout deepens, Tonse Alliance leaders accuse UPND of intimidation and “premature celebrations,” while Tonse says it still filed candidates in 220 constituencies—pushing back on claims of “75 constituency failure.” Nomination Chaos: Tonse Alliance is also blamed for major gaps: no parliamentary candidates in 75 constituencies, plus missing council chair and ward filings—fueling a rise in unopposed seats. Legal/Party Fractures: An “online candidate” Mudolo seeks a late presidential entry after missing deadlines; PeP claims it was reclassified as a church; and UNIP factions collapse as some bids fail to file, with Sandwe backing HH. Local Power Shifts: UPND’s Copperbelt secretary resigns to contest Kabushi as independent, while PF figures like Miles Sampa and Chitalu Chilufya move to independents as the party’s ballot presence looks shaky.

Presidential nominations lock in: President Hakainde Hichilema has filed for a second term at Mulungushi, with Vice President Mutale Nalumango unveiled as running mate and ECZ declaring both nominations valid—setting the stage for a crowded August 13 contest after ECZ closed presidential nominations with only 14 candidates making the final ballot. Opposition filing drama: Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) says it was blocked after its party records were allegedly altered at the Registrar of Societies, reclassifying it as a church and changing key office bearers; meanwhile, EFF leader Kasonde Mwenda has rushed to court over alleged missed pre-processing and unequal treatment. Election process tensions: ECZ has also published the certified 2026 voters register after a delayed release, while Lusaka mayoral adoption continues to spark accusations of alliance “sharp practice” and violence-linked disputes. Beyond politics: GreenCo secured US$10m from Sanlam to expand renewable power trading across Southern Africa, and IMF urged Africa to reset growth through reforms that attract private investment.

Presidential nominations in full swing: Zambia’s ECZ has closed presidential nominations with 14 candidates on the ballot, as President Hakainde Hichilema moves to file his papers and unveil Vice President Mutale Nalumango as running mate, while the Mulungushi precinct turns into a “sea of red” ahead of the filing. ECZ under pressure: the commission has released the certified 2026 voters register after a delayed upload, and it says nominations are proceeding but warns of adoption-certificate disputes and temporarily pauses filings in a few violence-hit areas. UPND and opposition tensions: UPND expelled 15 members over Mazabuka nomination violence, while PeP claims its nomination was blocked by alleged unauthorized changes to its Registrar of Societies records. Regional watch: Mpulungu Port is set for an upgrade to boost Great Lakes trade, and the IMF urges Africa to reset its growth model amid global uncertainty. Health and security: Zambia begins Lenacapavir training in Kabwe to strengthen HIV prevention, as Ebola travel restrictions tighten across borders.

Mazabuka Violence Crackdown: Police have arrested 20 suspected political cadres over the assault on former MP Gary Nkombo as he tried to file as an independent candidate, while President Hakainde Hichilema condemned the disruption and warned that Zambia is governed by laws, not intimidation. Lusaka Mayoral Adoption Chaos: At Lusaka Civic Centre, UPND supporters are split after reports that both Ketty Nanyangwe and vlogger Chitambala Mwewa received adoption certificates for mayor, forcing ECZ to suspend nominations amid fears of more trouble. UPND Expels for Nomination Violence: UPND has expelled 15 members linked to the Mazabuka nomination-day disorder, saying it does not condone violence or intimidation. ECZ Keeps Nominations Moving: ECZ also received two UNIP presidential nomination bids amid factional division, handling matters case-by-case. Energy and Economy Signals: ERB approved 42 energy licences and permits worth K608m, while Bank of Zambia linked the kwacha’s Q1 strength to mining foreign-exchange inflows.

UPND Mayoral Nomination Chaos: Lusaka’s mayoral race hit a fresh snag after reports that two different aspirants—Ketty Nanyangwe and vlogger Chitambala Mwewa—both displayed adoption certificates for the same position, prompting the ECZ to suspend nominations and raising fears of violence; UPND Discipline and Violence Backlash: the party also expelled 15 members linked to disorder during Garry Nkombo’s Mazabuka Central nomination filing, while clergy and other groups urged calm; Candidate Moves and Losses: Mwewa later withdrew from the Lusaka mayor bid, and independent candidate Chibulo Chilema died in a road accident after filing; New Filings in Parliament Races: Bernadette Deka-Zulu filed for Chongwe West, while KBF and other candidates reported successful nomination processes; Health and Infrastructure Signals: Lusaka Trust Hospital received an expansion facelift, and Tanzania announced a near US$985m works budget—plus Zambia’s Kwacha strength was linked to mining inflows.

Election Nominations Under Fire: Police in Mazabuka say they rescued former minister Garry Nkombo after suspected UPND members allegedly assaulted him at Mazabuka Civic Centre while he filed as an independent—no arrests yet, and investigations are ongoing. Presidential Race Filing: Socialist Party leader Fred M’membe and running mate Dolika Banda have had their nominations validated by ECZ, while in Zambezi three UPND parliamentary hopefuls filed successfully. Court and Accountability: A Lusaka magistrate committed a woman accused of murdering her neighbour to the High Court for plea and trial, and a businessman appeared in court over selling fake Vaseline products. ECZ Process Moves: ECZ validated other presidential tickets too, including Richard Silumbe and Kaela Kamwenshe under the Liberation Movement, as nominations continue. Regional Diplomacy: COMESA and the EU held talks in Lusaka to deepen cooperation on integration, peace and development. Cost-of-Living Pressure: Reports across Africa highlight surging living costs tied to the fuel crisis.