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resolution motion, 14 September 2026

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

Motion B-10-2026-0418 · (2026/2876(RSP))

on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Sebastião Bugalho, Reinhold Lopatka, David McAllister, Isabel WiselerLima, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Željana Zovko, Tomas Tobé, Andrey Kovatchev, Wouter Beke, Tomáš Zdechovský, Miriam Lexmann, Jan Farský, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Dariusz Joński, Mirosława Nykiel, Magdalena Adamowicz, Liudas Mažylis, Danuše Nerudová, Łukasz Kohut, Vangelis Meimarakis, Ondřej Kolář, Ana Miguel Pedro, Jessica Polfjärd, Inese Vaidere, Luděk Niedermayer, Loránt Vincze

On Parliament’s site PDF Word

AI:In short

Parliament's resolution on post-electoral repression in Zambia and the killing of Mutotwe Kafwaya takes note of the 13 August 2026 election results and expresses serious concern about the killing of Mr Kafwaya during a security raid in Lusaka. It calls on the authorities to produce clear evidence on the treason charges against Mr Mundubile and Mr Zulu and says both must receive a fair trial with adequate legal protection. It calls for an independent and transparent investigation into the 14 August security operation and says security operations should be proportionate. It points to the EU Election Observation Mission's findings and asks the government to investigate irregularities in counting and tabulation and to implement the mission's recommendations. It voices concern about the shrinking of civil space and reaffirms the EU's commitment to its partnership with Zambia.

Key points

  1. Takes note of the election results and expresses serious concern about the killing of Mr Kafwaya.
  2. Calls on the authorities to swiftly produce clear evidence on the treason charges against Mr Mundubile and Mr Zulu.
  3. Underlines that both must receive a fair trial with adequate legal protection, in full accordance with Zambian laws.
  4. Underlines that security operations should be proportionate.
  5. Calls for an independent and transparent investigation into the 14 August security operation which led to the death of Mr Kafwaya.
  6. Is concerned about the recent shrinking of civil space in Zambia and encourages all stakeholders to build on Zambia's strong democratic record.
  7. Underlines that any disputes should be addressed through the established legal procedures and grievances addressed peacefully and constructively.
  8. Points to the EU EOM findings and calls upon the government to swiftly investigate serious incidents and irregularities during counting and tabulation.
  9. Recommends implementing the EOM's recommendations to strengthen public confidence.
  10. Reaffirms the European Union's commitment to its longstanding partnership with Zambia and to supporting a democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous future for the country.

Who is affected

  • Zambian authorities, who are asked to produce evidence, ensure a fair trial and investigate the security operation.
  • Mr Mundubile and Mr Zulu, who face treason charges and must receive a fair trial with legal protection.
  • Zambian government, which is called on to investigate irregularities and implement EOM recommendations.
  • All stakeholders in Zambia, encouraged to address grievances peacefully and constructively.

Figures and deadlines

  • 13 August 2026: date of Zambia's general elections.
  • 14 August 2026: date the Electoral Commission of Zambia suspended tabulation and announcement of results.
  • 14 August 2026: date of the security raid in Lusaka in which Mr Kafwaya was fatally shot and 11 others were arrested.
  • 29 August: date Mr Mundubile and Mr Zulu were detained and charged with treason.
  • 24 August: date Zambia's High Court was exceptionally closed, the last day to file election complaints.
  • second five-year term: length of President Hakainde Hichilema's re-election.

Written by AI from the full text · every figure comes from the text · ¶ opens the paragraph · 18 Sept 2026 · Report a problem

Full text

Text 19 paragraphs

B100418/2026

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

(2026/2876(RSP))

The European Parliament,

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

whereas Zambia held general elections on 13 August 2026, in which President Hakainde Hichilema was re-elected for a second five-year term;

whereas the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) assessed election day as calm and competitive, while identifying several shortcomings in campaign conditions, severe advantages enjoyed by incumbency, and serious concerns regarding the transparency and credibility of the counting and tabulation process;

whereas following reports of alleged violent incidents at certain counting centres, on 14 August 2026, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) suspended the tabulation and announcement of the results;

whereas, on 14 August 2026, security forces raided a property in Lusaka linked to Brian Mundubile, who was the runner-up at the elections and opposition candidate; whereas during the raid opposition member and former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was fatally shot and 11 others were arrested; whereas the authorities claim that this raid was intended to seize illegal weapons and to prevent an armed attack on the government;

whereas on 29 August Mr Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu were detained and charged with treason; whereas lawyers of both indicated that they had difficulties in being allowed to meet the defendants in prison;

whereas due to security concerns Zambia’s High Court was exceptionally closed on 24 August, the last day to file complaints about the elections;

whereas there were already violent incidents during the campaign and the EU EOM delegation had repeatedly called on all political leaders and their supporters to refrain from violent acts;

Read the rest (7 paragraphs)

Takes note of the election results and expresses serious concern about the killing of Mr Kafwaya;

Calls on the authorities to swiftly produce clear evidence on the treason charges against Mr Mundubile and Mr Zulu and underlines, in full accordance with Zambian laws, that both must receive a fair trial with adequate legal protection;

Underlines that security operations should be proportionate, and calls for an independent and transparent investigation into the 14 August security operation which led to the death of Mr Kafwaya;

Is concerned about the recent shrinking of civil space in Zambia and encourages all stakeholders to build on Zambia’s strong democratic record and address any grievances peacefully and constructively; underlines that any disputes should be addressed through the established legal procedures;

Points to the findings by the EU EOM and calls upon the government to swiftly investigate the serious incidents and irregularities during the counting and tabulation, which had a negative impact on the transparency and the credibility of the process; recommends to implement the EOM’s recommendations to strengthen public confidence;

Reaffirms the European Union’s commitment to its longstanding partnership with Zambia and to supporting a democratic, peaceful, stable and prosperous future for the country;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Government and Parliament of Zambia.