By 
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has called on all Zambians to safeguard peace ahead of the August 13, 2026 General Elections, warning that political violence threatened the nation’s democratic gains.
In a pastoral statement issued on July 16, 2026 from Kapingila House in Lusaka, the Bishops said the country stood at a crucial moment and that politics must be understood as service rather than a contest for privilege.
The statement was signed by ZCCB President Most Rev. Ignatius Chama, Archbishop of Kasama, and Vice President Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde, Bishop of Solwezi, along with 10 other bishops.
The Bishops noted that while voter registration and candidate nominations had drawn encouraging participation, they were concerned about reports of intolerance and clashes between party supporters in various parts of the country.
“We have, in recent months, had to condemn acts of political thuggery, the resurgence of cadreism, attacks on candidates and party officials, threats of retaliation exchanged between rival camps and deaths. We say again what we have said before: our nation does not deserve to be taken back to those dark days of fear and political violence,” they said
The Catholic Church described Zambia’s identity since independence as rooted in peace, saying it was built over generations by citizens choosing dialogue over confrontation and remains fragile.
The Bishops made an explicit call for all forms of violence to be rejected, including incitement from leaders and online platforms.
“We wish to be unambiguous on the issue of violence, because ambiguity may cost lives. No political office, no electoral victory, and no grievance, political or otherwise, can ever justify aggression, intimidation, or the shedding of blood,” reads the Pastoral letter.
Read More: Police fire tear gas, disrupt Mundubile, Zulu rally in Kalingalinga (Images)
ZCCB also appealed directly to young people, parents, teachers and church leaders not to allow youth to be used for intimidation, saying every Zambian, regardless of political affiliation, possesses an inviolable dignity.
The conference urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia and security agencies to act impartially and to bring perpetrators of electoral malpractice to justice.
The Bishops also renewed their appeal to the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the Zambia Police Service and all law enforcement agencies to maintain peace, law and order impartially, without fear or favour.
They emphasized the need to ensure that those responsible for electoral malpractices and acts of political violence are identified and brought to justice regardless of the political party to which they belong.
The Bishopa stressed that elections should be an opportunity to strengthen democracy, not a season of fear, and declared that no political office is worth the life of a Zambian.
On governance, the Bishops said peace should be matched by a credible electoral process and called on government and state institutions to ensure transparency at every stage.
“Peace and the rejection of violence are not enough on their own; they must be joined to a process that citizens can genuinely trust. The Government and all organs of the State bear a solemn responsibility to ensure that this election is free, fair, transparent, and credible from voter registration, nomination, campaigning, polling, counting, to the declaration of results,” reads the pastoral letter.
ZCCB cited Catholic social teaching, noting that authority derives legitimacy from service to the common good and that citizens have a moral duty to vote.
The Bishops told voters to look beyond tribe, region and inducements when choosing leaders, and to consider integrity, commitment to the poor, and competence. They also rejected attempts to divide Zambians along ethnic lines.
ZCCB called for prayer across parishes and communities for a peaceful and just election, entrusting the nation to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace, and the patron saints of Zambia.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments