EU URGES TRANSPARENT HANDLING OF ZAMBIA’S ELECTORAL GRIEVANCES

THE European Union (EU) has urged Zambia to address grievances arising from the August 2026 general elections through transparent, fair and impartial judicial processes. The call was made during the Second EU-Zambia Extraordinary Partnership Dialogue in Lusaka, where the two parties also agreed to work towards implementing recommendations from the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) ahead of the 2031 general elections. European External Action Service Director for Africa Francesca Di Mauro said the EU remained concerned about electoral governance, civic space, access to justice and respect for fundamental freedoms. She congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema on his re-election and welcomed the newly appointed and returning members of Cabinet and Parliament. Ms Di Mauro said the EU was ready to support Zambia in implementing recommendations aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, electoral transparency and public confidence. She said the observation mission, which was deployed at the invitation of the Zambian Government, had provided an independent assessment of the electoral process and identified areas requiring improvement. In response, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Mulambo Haimbe welcomed the mission’s findings, describing them as an opportunity to strengthen electoral administration, institutional capacity and transparency. Mr Haimbe emphasised the need for continued engagement, including allowing Government to formally consider and provide observations on the findings before the final report’s public release. He reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to engaging with the EU in good faith, while ensuring that any reforms remained consistent with the Constitution and the country’s legal obligations. The minister also highlighted the Government’s Grow Zambia Agenda, which prioritises mining, agriculture, energy, tourism, manufacturing and infrastructure development. Both parties agreed on follow-up measures, including legislative and administrative reforms, with the EU pledging technical assistance to support implementation of the recommendations.

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