Ahead of Zambia’s general elections on August 13, 2026, church leaders are driving peace efforts. In July 2026, Catholic bishops issued a pastoral statement urging violence-free electoral campaigns and elections.
The statement appealed to Zambia’s history of peace and independence, noting that the country had been spared from civil wars and mass bloodshed, unlike many of its neighbors.
The statement read, “Silence or tacit approval in the face of one’s own supporters’ violence is itself a form of support for the violence. And we ask every leader of every political party to say so plainly to their own ranks. Before such conduct is dismissed as mere rhetoric.” The bishops also appealed to those inciting violence through social media, and those financing violence.
Zambia’s Human Rights Commission (HRC) has warned of a rise in hate speech and online threats during the election campaign, citing 105 allegations of human rights violations and abuses linked to the election period. HRC chairperson Pamela Sambo said that out of these allegations, 62 were successfully resolved through mediation, legal referrals, and other corrective measures.
However, violence has still occured. On June 29, police confirmed the separate murders of two people during violent confrontations and targeted attacks in Southern Province and Northern Province. Ten people were arrested in connection with the attack in Northern Province, which followed clashes between supporters of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and the opposition National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP). Meanwhile, investigations of the violence in Southern Province remained ongoing. Electoral watchdogs, including Patrick Kaumba of the Governance, Elections, Advocacy, Research Services Initiative, strongly condemned the violence, and urged political parties to compete on ideas instead of using anarchic means.
In the months leading up to the elections, Zambian church leaders have been organizing efforts to promote peace and democratic elections. In April 2026, church leaders gathered for a two-day capacity-building workshop in Lusaka. The training aimed to strengthen church leaders’ skills in peacebuilding, election observation, and democratic transitions. Trainers urged attendees to use their training to help bring together divided communities, observe elections with integrity, and help to support democratic institutions.
The Secretary General of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), Father Francis Mukosa, said, “We gather not by chance, but in response to the urgent need for leaders of faith and conscience to contribute to a society founded on justice, dignity, and the common good.”
On July 31, three major church bodies, the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), commended political parties and stakeholders for signing the National Peace Pledge. CCZ President Reverand Ackson Banda said the signing was not merely a ceremonial declaration but a covenant between God and the people of Zambia. He said, “The significance of this ceremony must not expire with the declaration of election results. Peace cannot be seasonal; it must remain a way of life for every Zambian.”
Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis welcomed the signing of the Peace Pledge, appealing to all political parties, candidates and supporters to familiarise themselves with the Electoral Code of Conduct and to fully respect the country’s electoral laws throughout the campaign period.
Zambia’s president Hakainde Hichilema is also calling for peace ahead of elections. On July 25, Hichilema addressed the Lusaka Conference Adventist Youth Ministries Big Sabbath at the Blessings’ Centre, urging youth to be “ambassadors of peace.” He warned that development and freedoms were “far-fetched” where there is no peace.
Despite being a relatively peaceful country, Zambia experienced election violence in 2016. The country even suspended political campaigning for 10 days due to clashes. In order for elections to remain calm, efforts by civil society leaders such as church leaders are more important than ever, particularly the calls to youth to not engage in violence or incitement on social media. While church leaders are driving peace efforts, it will depend on the will of youth and voters to remain committed to promoting a peaceful election environment, and overcoming the challenge of fake news and incitement.
Keywords: Zambia, Zambian, election, elections, general election, August, election violence, peace, conflict, conflict resolution, church, leaders, leadership, efforts
Tara Abhasakun is Peace News Network (PNN)'s managing editor. She is journalist based in Christchurch, New Zealand, and formerly in Bangkok, Thailand. She has reported on a range of human rights issues involving youth protests in Thailand, as well as arts and culture. Tara's work has appeared in several outlets, including Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.
