AGP Executive Report

Election Countdown: Zambia’s presidential nominations officially open today at Mulungushi International Conference Centre, with ECZ moving fast on accreditation for media, observers and stakeholders as the campaign period begins ahead of the Aug. 13 vote. Security & Peace Pledge: President Hakainde Hichilema has ordered security agencies to stay on high alert and warned that no one—“including members of his own party”—will be spared if they threaten peace or public order. Media Freedom Under Scrutiny: Rights groups say Zambia’s media is “more open, but still fragile,” with concerns that state media access and financial pressure could skew coverage during a highly contested election. Health Watch: The Ministry of Health says a localised Viral Haemorrhagic Fever alert was detected on the Copperbelt; the patient is stable and Ebola and Marburg tests are negative so far. Economy & Payments: Bank of Zambia confirms cheques will end in June 2026 and also cut the Monetary Policy Rate to 13.25%. Politics Beyond State House: Former Lusaka Central MP Mulambo Haimbe has withdrawn from the parliamentary race, while the opposition field watches the Mundubile–Makebi alliance closely.

Election Season Tightens: The ECZ moved to kill claims that opposition presidential hopefuls Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu could be blocked from the ballot, saying both have already cleared the required pre-nomination steps as nominations near at Mulungushi. Campaign Tone: President Hakainde Hichilema urged calm, peaceful issue-based campaigning and warned against insults and misinformation as security agencies stay on high alert. Opposition Realignment: Mundubile and Makebi Zulu doubled down on unity, framing their alliance as a push to remove UPND while insisting it’s about suffering civil servants, youths, and unpaid farmers. Ballot Rules Clash: Commentary and warnings continue around “checks and balances” and eligibility, with critics arguing administrative moves shouldn’t disqualify candidates. Public Gatherings Bill: Government signalled a change to raise the minimum for regulated political gatherings from 3 to 7 people, after outcry over the earlier threshold. Sports & Regional News: Zambia’s Dr Brenda Kunda retained her COSAFA women’s seat as Tariq Babitseng was elected COSAFA president unopposed.

Opposition Unity Push: Makebi Zulu says the Tonse–Pamodzi merger has already shifted momentum, insisting “one for all and all for one” as he and Brian Mundubile argue they will stay on the 2026 ballot despite adoption hurdles and fresh supporter-list requirements. Ruling Party Election Readiness: State House says Parliament dissolved by law on 15 May ahead of the 13 August vote, while State House also reaffirmed “zero tolerance” on corruption with no “threshold of moderation.” ECZ Under Fire: Green Party’s Peter Sinkamba complains the ECZ keeps changing election dates and warns alliances shouldn’t be treated like newly formed parties. Political Friction at the Grassroots: UPND critics trade accusations over adoption tactics, including claims of vote-buying allegations being denied by Dr Evans Chibanda. National Loss: Zambia mourns Emeritus Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu, remembered for outspoken governance and social justice advocacy. Regional Sports: COSAFA elected Botswana’s Tariq Babitseng president unopposed, with Zambia’s Dr Brenda Kunda in the executive.

Land Dispute Escalates: Former PF faction leader Miles Sampa alleges a UPND official in Kafue, Mrs Kayuni, is grabbing and fencing parts of his family’s Kafue River traditional land—claiming he followed procedures and paid village fees, but says the new headman is enabling political bullying. Health & Humanitarian Relief: Zambia’s neighbours are spotlighting specialised care—Zimbabwe says over 5,000 children with congenital conditions have received life-changing surgeries through a Cure Children’s Hospital partnership model, with operations continuing at scale. Church & Politics Collide in Mourning: President Hichilema and Catholic leaders mourn Emeritus Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu, remembered for outspoken advocacy on governance and justice—while critics trade sharp words over how leaders respond to his death. Election Process Tensions: ECZ says presidential candidates who missed supporter pre-screening must bring all 1,000 supporters during nominations next week, as the August election timetable tightens. UPND Adoption Shake-ups: Former Education Minister Douglas Siakalima bows out of the Chirundu parliamentary race, citing family consultations and a shift to national support for HH.

Media Reforms Spotlight: Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa has praised President Hakainde Hichilema for delivering media reforms, including the Access to Information Law and the repeal of defamation rules used against journalists, as he urged public broadcasters to stay professional ahead of August elections. Church Loss: Zambia mourns Emeritus Archbishop Telesphore George Mpundu, who died on 15 May at 78, remembered for outspoken advocacy on governance and justice. Election Rules Under Pressure: The ECZ says presidential hopefuls who missed provincial supporter pre-screening must bring all 1,000 supporters during nomination week, while the Law Association of Zambia warns the Public Gatherings Bill risks reintroducing a permit-style regime. Opposition Adoption Tensions: UPND councillor Mainda Simataa resigned over the Public Gatherings law, and former Education Minister Douglas Siakalima opted out of the Chirundu adoption process. Economy Check: The IMF says Zambia has made substantial progress restoring macro stability, with inflation back in the target band and reserves rising. Regional Energy Model: Zambia is being touted in Nairobi as a climate-and-energy poverty solution, using community-owned solar plants under a constituency initiative. Trade Push: Russia’s FESCO says it has completed a new direct container route to Tanzania via India’s Nhava Sheva, aiming to deepen Africa trade links.

Election Watch: Zambia’s National Assembly has been dissolved ahead of the August 13 polls, with ECZ confirming campaigns will run from May 23 to Aug 12 and nomination dates adjusted after a delayed adjournment. ECZ Rules & Tensions: ECZ says the rise in polling stations reflects voter growth and more voting rooms inside existing centres—not new voting centres—while warning independent candidates against unauthorized symbols and nicknames. Party Switching Shock: Former opposition leader Brian Mundubile’s move to a new party means he must undergo fresh supporter preprocessing, after ECZ clarified that supporters are tied to both candidate and sponsoring party. Economy & Debt: IMF talks on a successor programme are progressing, with discussions set to resume after the election period; Zambia also signed a US$460m debt restructuring deal with Israel to ease fiscal pressure. Energy & Jobs: ZDA reports $1.65bn in Q1 investments and 9,500 jobs, led by manufacturing and energy.

Elections clock starts ticking: Zambia’s National Assembly has been dissolved ahead of the August 13 general election, formally triggering the 90-day countdown and shifting the country fully into election mode. ECZ sets the timetable: Campaigns will run May 23 to Aug 12, while nominations were revised after the delayed adjournment—National Assembly nominations now start May 20, with mayoral/council chairperson and ward councillor nominations on May 21-22; presidential nominations remain May 18-22. Credible polls push: ECZ also reaffirmed its commitment to credible elections and urged aspiring candidates to follow rules, with officers stressing police presence and peaceful conduct. Campaign tensions in the background: Traditional leaders and election officials are warning against imposition and violence as parties and alliances realign ahead of nominations. Other major national beats: Government highlighted digital upgrades for health records and Parliament’s commissioning of a solar PV plant to cut grid dependence. Wildlife and food security: A community radio push in Eastern Province is helping farmers cope with dangerous animals, while regional reporting flags looming food shocks tied to global energy and fertilizer disruptions.

Election Countdown: Zambia’s 13th National Assembly was dissolved at midnight May 15, kicking off a 90-day run-up to the August 13 general election, with nominations for parliamentary and local candidates set for May 18–19. Campaign Framing: President Hakainde Hichilema used his final Cabinet meeting to pitch continuity—free education for 2.5 million learners, Constituency Development Fund rising from K1.6m (2021) to K40m per constituency, and 45,000 new teachers—while acknowledging cost-of-living pressure and youth joblessness. ECZ Focus: Hichilema also swore in new ECZ leadership and urged a credible, peaceful vote; ECZ officials meanwhile told aspiring candidates to campaign responsibly and follow nomination rules. Health Delivery: Health Minister Alex Katakwe said reforms over five years reached 3,500 facilities and expanded NHIMA membership; government also completed delivery of 156 CDF ambulances nationwide. Economy Signals: Bank of Zambia cut the Monetary Policy Rate to 13.25% as the Kwacha strengthened and reserves hit record levels, while mining gains and export-standard deals were highlighted as momentum heading into polls. Rights and Law: The Public Gathering Bill continues to draw sharp criticism from civil society and faith leaders over fears it could restrict freedoms.

CDF Health Push: Government has received the full 156 ambulances under the enhanced Constituency Development Fund—119 in the first batch and the remaining 37 now commissioned and handed to councils, with ZAMMSA urging careful use. Election Media Security: The Independent Broadcasting Authority says it has deepened collaboration with Zambia Police to promote peace and responsible election reporting ahead of August 13. Tobacco Policy Fight: The Tobacco Board wants the Tobacco Act revised so it can set clearer tobacco pricing rules to protect small-scale farmers, while civil society applauds Parliament’s adoption of the Tobacco Control Bill, 2025. Flood Relief Support: DMMU has started distributing Saudi-donated palm dates to flood victims in affected districts. ECZ Leadership: President Hichilema has sworn in ECZ Vice Chairperson Vincent Mukanda and Commissioner Zevwanji Sinkala, calling for credible, peaceful polls. International Noise: Reports claim Punjabi star Diljit Dosanjh has US citizenship since 2022, but Zambia’s headlines today are dominated by local election and health updates.

Bank of Zambia Eases Rates: BoZ cut the Monetary Policy Rate by 25 basis points to 13.25%, citing inflation easing toward target and a steadier kwacha, while warning Middle East fuel risks could still bite. Election Politics at ECZ: SP and PeP successfully presented 100 supporters to the ECZ in Lusaka, but the process remains messy—some parties missed requirements or shifted plans. Child Sexual Violence Allegations: Police report two separate defilement cases involving minors in Lunte and Mporokoso, with suspects in custody awaiting charges. Police Get New Transport: Zambia Police received 80 vehicles from China to tackle long-standing mobility gaps ahead of August elections. Health Supply Strain: A separate report flags falling HIV drug supplies, raising concern for continuity of care. Digital Identity Spotlight: Zambia’s digital ID ecosystem is being showcased at id4Africa 2026 as government pushes a unified, government-wide identity approach. Regional/Trade Signals: Zambia-US ties were discussed as Chargé d’Affaires Mich Coker “repairs” relations with Mulambo Haimbe, with Mingomba cited as a key investment test.

Politics & Elections: Parliament has adjourned sine die ahead of dissolution, with the 13th National Assembly ending amid fresh controversy over how fast it pushed through laws, including the Public Gatherings Bill and a rush of 77 bills. Public Order Debate: Government says it will amend the Public Gatherings Bill again—raising the definition of a “public gathering” from 3 to 7 people—after MPs passed the bill and citizens warned it could curb democracy. Monetary Policy: The Bank of Zambia cut the monetary policy rate to 13.25%, citing easing inflation and a stable kwacha, while flagging risks from the Iran conflict. Copper & Jobs: Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe says large-scale copper output is growing and government has deployed new vehicles to tighten oversight of artisanal and small-scale mining. Sports & Leadership: Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu has tasked FAZ to hire a new Copper Queens coach, insisting the next appointment must fully commit to the national teams. Regional & Global Moves: Zambia’s ties with the US and France featured prominently as leaders push investment and trade cooperation, while China donated 80 vehicles to bolster election security.

Public Order Showdown: Opposition leaders are urging President Hichilema not to sign Zambia’s Public Gathering Bill, warning it could be abused to restrict campaigning and ordinary assemblies, while civil society says the law’s definitions and criminal sanctions risk chilling public participation. RightsCon Fallout: Rights groups say Zambia’s abrupt cancellation of RightsCon 2026—linked to pressure over Taiwanese participation—signals shrinking civic space and a blow to freedom of expression. Election Security Push: China has donated 80 vehicles to Zambia’s security agencies ahead of the 2026 elections, and the government says it’s also stepping up small-scale mining oversight with a new regional vehicle fleet. Infrastructure & Energy: Construction is set to begin on the Mpongwe road project (383 million USD), and the energy minister marked reforms that ended crippling load shedding. Tech Diplomacy: Ghana is positioning Accra as an AI diplomacy hub with a September summit, while Zambia’s digital push continues via a ZACL-Copperbelt University ERP partnership. Regional Watch: Super Falcons preparations hit another snag after Jamaica withdrew from a planned friendly, forcing a reshuffle ahead of WAFCON.

Public Order Showdown: Parliament has withdrawn the Public Holidays National Assembly Amendment Bill, after MPs argued the change would weaken rest and the “substitute day” rule when holidays fall on Sundays. Inclusive Education Push: Government launched inclusive and special education implementation guidelines to improve learning outcomes for pupils with special education needs. Police Mobility Boost: China donated vehicles to Zambia Police to strengthen patrol response, crime prevention and public order across all 10 provinces. Public Gatherings Bill Under Fire: Stakeholders warn the proposed Public Gatherings Bill could still keep restrictive provisions, with critics pushing for clearer definitions and opposing criminal sanctions. Digital Government Moves: ZACL and Copperbelt University signed an MoU to build a locally driven ERP system for airport operations. Energy Update: Zambia’s biggest single solar plant, Itimpi Phase II (136MW), has come online, as the country accelerates clean power. Africa–France Summit: In Nairobi, Ruto and Macron opened the Africa Forward Summit, pitching a “win-win” partnership based on sovereign equality and investment.

Public Order Reset: Parliament has passed the Public Gatherings Bill 2026, setting up a new framework to replace the colonial-era Public Order Act—meaning parties, civil society, churches, unions and citizens will soon organise rallies and protests under updated rules on notification and police response. Parliament Leadership: The National Assembly ratified Loveness Maambo Mayaka as Clerk, confirming her 20+ years of parliamentary experience. Health Policy Push: Government launched the 2026 National Health Policy and Implementation Plan, promising people-centred, affordable care and Universal Health Coverage. Money Out the Door: Treasury released K17.8bn in April, led by the public service wage bill (K6.6bn) plus debt servicing and arrears clearance. Sports Funding Pressure: Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu urged more banks to back sport, pointing to ABSA’s long-running ABSA Cup sponsorship. Election Season Signals: ECZ-related debate continues around nomination and supporter pre-processing rules as August campaigning gears up.

Borrowing Debate: Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane told Parliament Zambia’s debt is under control, pointing to improving credit ratings and urging citizens to drop “negative perceptions” as lawmakers debate the 2026 borrowing plan. Mining & Power: Barrick says its Lumwana copper expansion is advancing on time, with first copper still targeted for end-Q1 2028, while the US$294m Kariba Dam rehab is at 94% and on track for completion by end of Q4 2026. Election Machinery: ECZ has kicked off the “100 strong” supporter preprocessing across provinces, with Lusaka’s first bus reportedly missing for some parties, as the presidential race gears up for August nominations. Local Governance: MPs warn local councils are bleeding public money through irregular payments, weak controls, delayed projects and poor asset management. Education Policy: Government launched the National Education Policy 2025, promising a shift to competence-based assessment and lifelong skills. International Stage: President Hichilema heads to Nairobi for the Africa–France “Forward Africa” summit, with Zambia pushing reform of global finance, energy transition and green industrialisation.

In the last 12 hours, Lusaka Politics Online coverage leaned heavily toward the 2026 election environment and governance disputes, alongside a mix of social, economic, and regional stories. On the political front, multiple items focused on opposition coalition dynamics and messaging ahead of August 13—particularly disagreements involving Socialist Party leader Fred M’membe and Tonse Alliance presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, with M’membe rejecting public calls for unity and arguing that alliance-building should not be conducted through media announcements. There were also election-preparedness and electoral-process items, including an AU pre-election assessment mission meeting ECZ commissioners and management, and a separate report that the first deputy Speaker reserved a ruling on whether Mundubile’s alleged absenteeism is in order. Separately, LCK Freedom Foundation filed a “landmark” Constitutional Court petition challenging the process and validity of the Constitution (Amendment) Act No. 13 of 2025, framing it as a rushed, non-people-driven amendment process.

Several last-12-hours stories also highlighted state activity and public service delivery. President Hichilema’s Western Province visit featured commissioning of hospital units (radiology, maternity, pediatric) and infrastructure work including bridges in Kalabo District. In education, First Lady Mutinta Hichilema commissioned the Mutinta Hichilema Secondary School in Chilanga, described as a 35 million Kwacha project intended to expand access to secondary education and support vulnerable learners. On the justice and accountability side, the Livingstone High Court sentenced a former police officer to 45 years with hard labour for rape of a 16-year-old girl, while another governance-related item reported Zambia reiterating its stance on Morocco’s Sahara territorial integrity and welcoming UN Security Council Resolution 2797.

Economic and infrastructure themes appeared in the same recent window, though often as broader policy or development updates rather than single major breakthroughs. Government was reported to be promoting electric vehicles in public institutions to reduce fuel expenditure, and the same cluster included fiscal planning coverage such as consultations for the 2027 National Budget and Medium-Term Budget Framework. Energy and large projects also featured: Zambia’s electricity generation target of 10,000MW by 2030 was reiterated, and Kariba Dam rehabilitation was described as entering its final stretch (94% complete in a related report). There were also Zambia-linked business and investment items, including a report on Debonairs Pizza reopening plans in Lusaka under new management and a note on Livingstone moving toward dedicated cycle lanes as part of road and tourism-focused upgrades.

Across the wider 7-day range, the coverage shows continuity in two areas: (1) election administration and constitutional/legal contestation, and (2) Zambia’s positioning in regional and international debates—especially around digital integration and rights-related controversies. Earlier items included ECZ voter register certification figures, calls for scrutiny of candidates’ qualifications, and ongoing arguments about opposition unity and institutional fairness. On international issues, the broader week included repeated attention to Zambia’s stance in disputes involving the US health deal and the cancellation of RightsCon 2026 amid claims of external pressure, reinforcing that the election period is being framed not only domestically but also through external diplomatic and information-policy pressures. However, the most recent 12-hour evidence is more focused on domestic legal/political process and local service delivery than on those international controversies, so any shift in emphasis is visible but not fully corroborated by multiple fresh updates in the last 12 hours.