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

B100420/2026

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

(2026/2876(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Zambia,

having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas Zambia held general elections on 13 August 2026; whereas President Hakainde Hichilema was declared re-elected with approximately 60% of the vote, while opposition candidate Brian Mundubile obtained approximately 38%;

whereas the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM), including a delegation of the European Parliament, observed the elections and found that the electoral process took place in an environment that limited fundamental freedoms, with opposition actors facing intimidation and the incumbent benefiting from biased state-media coverage;

whereas on 14 August, one day after the election, security forces conducted an operation at a property linked to opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile in Kabulonga, Lusaka, during which opposition figures were arrested and former cabinet minister and opposition member Mutotwe Kafwaya was shot and killed; whereas the authorities confirmed his death five days later, leaving his family without official information for several days;

whereas the precise circumstances of Kafwaya’s death remain disputed; whereas the authorities have alleged that those present were connected to an insurrection plot and that military-grade weapons were recovered, while opposition figures have disputed these allegations and the circumstances of the shooting;

whereas the killing took place amid a deteriorating human rights situation marked by reports of arbitrary arrests and detention and intimidation targeting opposition figures and supporters; whereas opposition leader Brian Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, were subsequently detained and charged with treason;

whereas according to the Zambian Human Rights Commission, at least 84 people remain in custody without charges;

whereas the EU has provided substantial development assistance to Zambia, with 359 million EUR allocated for 2021–2024 and 153 million EUR planned for 2025–2027, including 60 million EUR in direct budget support for 2024–2026;

Strongly condemns the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya; expresses its deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues;

Calls on the Zambian authorities to ensure a prompt, independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigation into the circumstances of the shooting and Kafwaya’s killing;

Urges the Zambian authorities to immediately end arbitrary arrests and politically motivated intimidation, and to immediately release all persons detained solely for peacefully exercising their political, civil or human rights;

Calls on the Zambian authorities to promptly inform detainees of the grounds for their arrest and charges, ensure access to legal counsel, family and medical care, and bring them without undue delay before an independent and impartial court;

Calls to urgently review EU financial support to Zambia, and to suspend further disbursements where the authorities fail to uphold their international human rights obligations;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, VP/HR, Member States, EEAS, the Government and National Assembly of Zambia, the African Union, and the United Nations.