The curious case of Given Lubinda

…as Brian Mundubile speaks on free expression and association in Zambia
…Zambia’s democracy is under strain, and the nation must urgently reclaim its legacy of peace, unity and dignity. This is a call to conscience, not partisanship – Amb. Mukwita
IN the heart of Southern Africa, Zambia once stood tall as a beacon of democratic resilience. From peaceful transitions of power to a culture of tolerance, we were the envy of a region often scarred by post-election violence and authoritarianism.
But this week, that legacy is under threat. The recent daylight assault on Mr Given Lubinda in Kabwe is not just a political incident, it is a national alarm bell. It signals a dangerous erosion of our democratic space, one that must be addressed with urgency, unity and love.
The democratic decline
According to the 2025 UN Human Rights Council report, Zambia has regressed in key democratic indicators. While the repeal of defamation laws and the passing of the Access to Information Act were steps forward, the report warns of “revived repressive tactics,” including arbitrary arrests of journalists, opposition figures, and the weaponisation of vague laws to silence dissent.
The US State Department’s 2023 Human Rights Report echoes these concerns, citing “credible reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings, torture, and serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom.”
Human Rights Watch’s 2025 World Report adds that Zambia has seen “a marked increase in intolerance toward dissent and political opposition,” with harassment of youth activists and journalists becoming routine.
These are not partisan claims. They are national concerns. They are warnings from the world that Zambia’s democratic fabric is fraying.
The Lubinda incident: A storm brewing
The brutalisation of Mr Lubinda, a seasoned statesman and acting Patriotic Front president, is a chilling reminder that storms often start slow. Today it is Mr Lubinda. Tomorrow it could be any citizen, any journalist, any youth daring to speak truth to power.
Mr Brian Mundubile’s call for urgent action is not just about PF politics – it is about Zambia’s soul. “We are concerned about the shrinking free expression, free speech, and free association,” he said. And rightly so.
Let us not forget how slow storms exploded in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where political suppression led to decades of civil war. In Sudan, peaceful protests turned into bloodshed.
In Somalia, the collapse of governance led to decades of stateless suffering. These nations did not fall overnight. They fell because early warnings were ignored.
The case for unity: One Zambia, One Nation
Zambia’s motto – One Zambia, One Nation – was not a slogan. It was a covenant. A promise that no tribe, no party, no region would dominate another. That promise must be renewed.
We must return to a politics of love, not hate. Of unity, not division. Of dialogue, not violence. The attack on Mr Lubinda must be condemned not because he is PF, but because he is Zambian. Because violence against one is violence against all.
As I write this, I think of the suffering in Israel and Gaza, where decades of unresolved conflict have led to unimaginable pain. I think of Russia and Ukraine, where geopolitical ambitions have cost thousands of lives.
These are not just foreign tragedies, they are human tragedies. And they remind us that peace is not automatic. It must be protected.
As the French say, “La paix n’est pas un luxe, c’est une nécessité.” Peace is not a luxury – it is a necessity.
Zambia’s choice: Love or apathy
We stand at a crossroads. We can choose apathy, ignore the signs, and let our democracy decay. Or we can choose love. We can choose to protect our journalists, respect our opposition and uphold our Constitution.
Let us remember the words of the German proverb: “Wo Gewalt herrscht, hat die Vernunft keine Stimme.” Where violence reigns, reason has no voice.
Zambia must be a place where reason speaks loudly. Where youth can march for climate justice without fear. Where journalists can write without censorship. Where politicians can campaign without being brutalised.
Mukwita On Point says: “We Need Peace and Love and unity”
This is not about PF or UPND. It is about Zambia. It is about our children growing up in a country where elections are peaceful, where leaders are accountable, and where unity is more than a word.
We need peace and love.
Let us honour the legacy of Levy Mwanawasa, who died in office but left behind a nation that mourned in unity like Michael Chilufya Sata.
Let us remember Michael Sata, whose passing did not plunge us into chaos. Let us be the Zambia that the world once admired. Edgar Chagwa Lungu!
Let us be the Zambia that says no to violence. That says yes to unity. That says, with one voice, “One Zambia, One Nation.”
Because when democracy dies, misery follows. And when unity fades, conflict rises.
Let us not wait for the storm to explode.
Let us act now.
Let us choose love.

.Amb. Anthony Mukwita is a published author and international relations analyst.