Zambia Archbishop Alick Banda decries surge in political violence before Aug 13 elections

Archbishop Alick Banda, head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lusaka, issued a strong condemnation of a rising wave of political violence ahead of Zambia's general election scheduled for 13 August 2026. He cited reports of campaign convoys being attacked, supporters assaulted, property destroyed and opposition candidates targeted, describing these acts as "direct attacks on democracy, the Constitution and the values upon which Zambia was founded."

Banda urged political leaders to demonstrate consistent moral courage by condemning violence even when committed by their own supporters, and called on the Zambia Police Service to act impartially and bring perpetrators to justice regardless of affiliation. He emphasized that democracy thrives on ideas and debate, not on fists, stones or weapons, and appealed for peace and unity as the nation heads to the polls.