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Three church mother bodies have expressed concern over increasing political intolerance, inflammatory rhetoric, misinformation, hate speech, and acts of violence as the country heads to the August 13, 2026 General Elections.
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), also raised concern over intimidation and growing divisions within communities.
The three Church mother bodies raised the concerns on Monday during the launch of a Peace Building Initiative at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lusaka.
In a Joint Pastoral Communiqué issued under the theme: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God,” the church leaders said the developments threaten national unity and undermine democratic values.
They noted that while Zambia had enjoyed peace since Independence, recent incidents of politically motivated violence that had claimed innocent lives were worrying.
“We are deeply concerned by increasing political intolerance, inflammatory rhetoric, misinformation, hate speech, acts of violence, intimidation and growing divisions within our communities,” the church leaders stated.
The communiqué further warned that no political ambition justified violence, stressing that every human life was sacred.
“As Church Mother Bodies, we reiterate that the loss of one life is one too many. No political office, campaign or election is worth the shedding of human blood,” the statement read.
The church leaders called for reconciliation and national healing, saying political competition had divided families, churches, and communities across the country.
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“Peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is the presence of justice, forgiveness, compassion and restored relationships,” they said.
On national unity, the church bodies rejected attempts to divide Zambians on tribal, ethnic and regional lines, describing Zambia’s diversity as a divine gift.
“Zambia’s diversity is one of God’s greatest gifts. We therefore reject every attempt to divide citizens on the basis of tribe, ethnicity, region or political affiliation,” the communiqué stated.
The church also commended the role of youth and women in peacebuilding, while condemning political parties that used young people as instruments of violence.
On social media, the church leaders cautioned citizens against the spread of fake news and incitement, urging responsible online conduct during the election period.
“We therefore call upon all citizens to use digital platforms responsibly by verifying information before sharing, rejecting fake news, avoiding hate speech and abusive language,” they said.
The church bodies further called for free, fair and credible elections anchored on constitutionalism, transparency and respect for human rights, and urged politicians to focus on issue-based campaigns.
They also challenged public institutions to uphold impartiality and the rule of law throughout the electoral process.
“Public confidence in the electoral process depends upon equal application of the law. Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done,” the statement said.
The CCZ, EFZ and ZCCB pledged to continue praying for peace, promoting dialogue, conducting civic and voter education, and deploying church observers and peace monitors where appropriate.
“Let history remember the 2026 General Elections not for violence and division but for peace, maturity, justice and national unity. No political office is greater than the lives of our people,” the communiqué concluded.
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