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

B100416/2026

European Parliament resolution on 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 Rule 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas there has been a surge in repression in Zambia since the general elections of 13th August 2026;

whereas on 14 August 2026, a joint military and police task force conducted a raid on a property linked to the main opposition presidential candidate, Brian Mundubile; during which former cabinet minister and opposition lawmaker Mutotwe Kafwaya was shot and killed by security forces and state authorities withheld information regarding his condition and whereabouts for five days;

whereas Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu sought refuge at UN premises in Lusaka, surrendered to the authorities on 27 August 2026, were subsequently detained and charged with treason, and more recently, sedition, and are being detained at Mukobeko Maximum Security Facility with 16 others arrested during the raid and also charged with treason, some of whom were detained for several days without charge;

Whereas suspects charged with treason cannot be released on bail while awaiting trial and face life imprisonment if convicted;

Whereas the passports of six prominent opposition figures or government critics have been cancelled on the basis of national security and another after a determination of fraud;

Whereas 43 people, including opposition supporters, were detained for 21 days without charge until the High Court ordered their release;

Strongly condemns the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya;

Calls on the Zambian authorities to ensure a prompt, thorough, independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigation into the circumstances of the shooting and killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya, including the circumstances in which lethal force was used, and to ensure that those at all levels with command responsibility are held accountable;

Urges the Zambian authorities to immediately cease the post-electoral crackdown and to end arbitrary arrests and detention of opposition politicians and to ensure that the criminal justice system and national security laws are not misused to intimidate, punish or silence political opponents or other persons peacefully exercising their human rights;

Reminds the Government of Zambia of its international obligations to respect human rights, democratic principles, and the right to a fair legal process;

Reaffirms the importance of protecting freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, as well as the independence of the judiciary and other democratic institutions;

Calls on all political actors to exercise restraint, reject violence and intimidation and contribute to national reconciliation;

Calls on the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the EU Delegation to Zambia to closely monitor the human rights situation, provide support to local human rights defenders, and raise these grave violations in all bilateral dialogues;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Government and Parliament of Zambia, and the African Union.