Zambia’s Electoral Turmoil: Anglican Council Urges Prayer and Peace

Following the contentious recent general elections in Zambia, the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) has released a formal statement calling for prayer and peace.

Signed on September 2 by the Most Revd Thabo Makgoba, Metropolitan Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, on behalf of the African Primates, the statement highlights deep concerns regarding the democratic process and the detention of political figures during the elections.

According to the United Nations, the incumbent president, Hakainde Hichilema, and his party won the elections on August 13. However, his primary opponent, Mr. Mundubile, alleged that the vote counting process was rigged.

After the election results were announced, government authorities raided a residence, leading to a violent gunfire exchange that fatally wounded former Zambian minister Mutotwe Kafwaya. Eleven individuals were arrested during the raid, including senior opposition figures who were accused of conspiring with foreign militia to orchestrate a coup—a charge they have denied.

Among the detained opposition figures is Bishop Trevor Mwamba, the retired Anglican Bishop of Botswana and a Zambian national who currently leads Zambia’s United National Independence Party (UNIP).

The United Nations has expressed profound concern over Zambia’s deteriorating democratic environment. United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk, alongside other international observers, has raised alarms about the future of democracy in the country.

On August 19, Volker Türk issued a statement voicing concern over the arrests and detentions of opposition members: “All arrests and resulting court proceedings—whatever the gravity of the alleged conduct or specific charges filed—must be fully consistent with international human rights standards, as well as Zambian domestic law. I urge the authorities to stop arresting people arbitrarily and to uphold fully the due process rights of all those detained.”

On September 2, Gina Romero, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of assembly and of association, released a press release expressing “grave concern over the deteriorating democratic and human rights environment in Zambia.” She urgently called on the government to uphold democratic integrity, safeguard civic space, and immediately cease the criminalization of political dissent. Romero noted that alongside documented instances of voter intimidation, assaults, and abductions, the escalation of violence and loss of life—including that of a former cabinet minister and polling agent—requires immediate international scrutiny.

CAPA’s statement emphasizes the need for healing, unity, and reconciliation, noting that “while elections are a cornerstone of democracy, the aftermath of this period has left wounds in the fabric of Zambian society.”

The statement calls for solidarity with the detained, noting their detention “with deep pastoral concern,” and urges authorities to ensure that “rights are respected” and they are treated with dignity. It affirms: “The Church stands with all detainees, affirming the principle of habeas corpus and the right to a fair and speedy trial.”

Furthermore, the statement calls for “open doors of dialogue” and challenges leaders to “lay down the weapons of harsh words and political manoeuvring, and take up the tools of negotiation and compromise.” It affirms that “reconciliation is not a sign of weakness; it is the highest form of strength and leadership. We urge all parties to move beyond the ‘winner-takes-all’ mentality and to work toward a Zambia where every citizen feels seen, heard, and valued.”

Concluding its message, the statement calls upon congregations, families, and individuals within the Anglican Communion to pray for Zambia: “Let us fall to our knees, acknowledging that we need divine intervention to heal the land, the nation, and its people.”

Archbishop Makgoba, who signed the CAPA statement, also released a separate statement on September 1 to raise concern over the detention of Bishop Trevor Mwamba. This reinforced calls from Volker Türk and other groups, including the European Union, the African Union, SADC, and the Commonwealth.

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