SADC TROIKA considers Zambia’s post electoral crisis
SADC TROIKA considers Zambia’s post electoral crisis
Gaborone- Sunday, September 6th, 2026
The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation is expected to deal with Zambia’s escalating post election crisis.
Zambia held its election on August 13th 2026.
The SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation has received the preliminary report from the SADC Observer Mission.
King Mswati III of Eswatini, who officially assumed the chairmanship of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation Troika in August 2026, is expected to convene the Troika to consider rhe breqing crisis in Zambia where the main Oppositionleader has been thrown in jail.
Zambia’s election day itself was reported to be peaceful but quickly degenerated to strong allegations of vote manipulation, tampering of election results and the deployment of the Zambia Army in counting centres where results where allegedly altered under the army’s supervsion.
Further on Friday 14th August 2026, a military raid into the home of President Hakainde Hichilema’s main rival, Brian Mundubile saw the killing of former Minister of Transport and Communications, Mutotwe Kafwaya, and the arrest of Mundubile’s colleague that include; UNIP President and former Bishop of Botswana, Bishop Trevor Mwamba, and former Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) President, George Chisanga.
After the raid, Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, fearing for their lives, took shelter in the United Nations Building in Lusaka.
The United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, sent a Special Envoy from New York to negotiate the stand-off between government and the two Opposition leaders.
The UN’s request for a safe passage for the duo or for tjem to be handed-over to a third party Embassy in Lusaka was strongly rejected by President Hakainde Hichilema who demanded that the duo surrender to the police who were investigating allegations of security breach and allegations that the Opposition leaders had established a militia.
Five days after the military raid, Secretary to Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa confirmed the killing of the former minister but alleged that Mundubile had formed a militia that intended to take power illegally.
On August 27, 2026, the United Nations (UN) handed over Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu to the “Eight Church Mother Bodies” at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka who promptly surrendered them to the Zambia Police.
Mundubile and others have since been charged with treason and have been locked away at Mukobeko Maximum Prisons in Kabwe, 200km from Lusaka, awaiting a court trial.
Mundubile’s and civil society’s attempt to legally challenge the disputed election was denied as soldiers, shockingly, sealed and closed the courts of law until the period constitutionally set of a legal challenge lapsed.
However, the Chief Justice and head of the Zambia’s Judiciary, Mumba Malila issued a public statement that an electoral petition was filed through his private mail.
Malila disclosed that former Law Association of Zambia President, Linda Kasonde and renowned civil society leader, Brebner Changala had filed the petition.
He further guided that although the filing of the petition was unusual, he would use his constitutional and administrative powers to refer the matter to the Constitutional Court to consider, hear and determine the matter.
Although the Constitution provides that all legal challenges must be resolved before the new President can be inaugurated, Secretary to Cabinet announced that Government would proceed to prepare and hold the inauguration ceremony.
Despite the outstanding court challenge, President Hakainde Hichilema proceeded to be sworn-in for a second five-year term on September 1, 2026, at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.