On the post-electoral repression in Zambia and the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya

European Parliament resolution on the post-electoral repression in Zambia and the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya

(2026/2876(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Zambia, including of 18 May 2017 on the case of Hakainde Hichelema,

– having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Zambia held elections on 13 August 2026;

B. whereas on 14 August 2026, state security forces raided a property in Lusaka linked to opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, arrested several opposition members, and fatally shot opposition member and former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya;

C. whereas on the last day for filing election petitions, the Zambian authorities closed court premises, thereby restricting access to justice;

D. whereas Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu were detained and, with 16 others, charged with treason; whereas their lawyers claim difficulties in meeting these defendants in prison; whereas suspects charged with treason cannot be released on bail and, if convicted, face 20 years to life imprisonment;

E. whereas before and after the elections, the authorities arrested, detained and intimidated opposition members and supporters; whereas, according to the Zambian Human Rights Commission, at least 84 people were detained without formal charges; whereas the passports of seven opposition figures and government critics have been revoked;

F. whereas the situation of media freedom has deteriorated; whereas five broadcasting stations face compliance hearings at the Independent Broadcasting Authority;

G. whereas the EU has deepened its partnership with Zambia through Global Gateway and the Critical Raw Materials Partnership and has provided substantial development assistance;

1. Condemns the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya and the increase in political repression since the elections;

2. Urges the Zambian authorities to ensure independent and transparent investigations into all allegations of unlawful use of force, arbitrary arrest and intimidation, and, particularly, into the circumstances of the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya, holding those responsible accountable; underlines that security operations should be proportionate and in accordance with the rule of law;

3. Calls on the Zambian authorities to end and refrain from arbitrary arrest, detention and intimidation of opposition members and supporters, ensure that detainees are informed of the grounds for their arrest and charges and have access to legal counsel, family and medical care, bring them before independent and impartial courts without delay, and guarantee their right to a fair trial;

4. Calls on the Zambian authorities to uphold freedom of expression, press, media, peaceful assembly and association, and refrain from abuses of national security laws and criminal justice;

5. Encourages all stakeholders to exercise restraint, reject violence and intimidation, and contribute to national reconciliation;

6. Recalls the close EU-Zambia partnership; calls for the EU and its Member States to raise these violations at the highest political level, to closely monitor the human rights situation and judicial proceedings, to support Zambian civil society organisations, human rights defenders and journalists, and to follow up on the recommendations of the EU Election Observation Mission in Zambia;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the African Union, the UN, and the Government and Parliament of Zambia.