Zambia: Opposition leader summoned by police, Amnesty denounces "arbitrary arrests"

In Zambia, police announced on Thursday evening, August 20, 2026, that they had summoned opposition leader Brian Mundubile for questioning regarding an alleged threat to national security, just days after elections marred by a crackdown on opponents and the re-election of President Hakainde Hichilema. Mundubile, who came second in the August 13 presidential election, announced his intention to challenge the results in court. In this context, Amnesty International is calling on the authorities to end the arbitrary arrests and to demand an investigation into the events of recent days.

According to a police statement, an investigative team has been looking into serious threats to national security for several years and wishes to question Brian Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu. Without specifying the nature of these alleged threats, the statement refers to alarming activity that could harm national security, observed at locations linked to the two men. They deny accusations that their alliance is involved in an insurgency or militia.

A week ago, a member of parliament and former minister, Mutotwe Kafwaya, was shot dead during a raid by security forces on one of Brian Mundubile's residences. Eleven people, including opposition figures, were arrested during the operation and are accused of treason. On Thursday, immigration officials also announced the arrest of the secretary-general of the opposition coalition.

Since then, the opposition leader and his running mate Makebi Zulu have been living in hiding, under the protection of an "international organization." The government assured the organization hosting them that there were "no plans whatsoever to harm them," police reported.

For its part, the NGO Amnesty International warned against the increasing repression of peaceful protest and called on the authorities to immediately end the arbitrary arrests and detentions of opposition members.

The fatal shooting of former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya and the arrest of opposition members on August 14 mark a disturbing escalation in human rights abuses in Zambia following the general elections. Whatever the allegations against those detained, the Zambian authorities have a legal obligation to follow the law and respect human rights. Amnesty International demands a swift, independent, and impartial investigation into these events. We also demand that the authorities end arbitrary arrests and ensure that all detainees have prompt access to their lawyers and families. They must be charged promptly with clearly defined offenses or released.