No peace without justice, M’membe warns
By Thandizo Banda
SOCIALIST Party (SP) President Dr Fred M’membe says Zambia cannot build lasting peace on a foundation of political repression and blocked justice.
Dr M’membe said in a write-up on Facebook seen by The Mast the 2026 elections had left deep wounds in the country’s democracy, citing unexplained vote counting suspensions and court closures that choked off legal challenges.
He said calls for citizens to simply remain peaceful were unsustainable when opposition figures faced heavy-handed charges and state crackdowns.
“You cannot build lasting peace on a foundation of political repression and blocked justice. The 2026 Zambian elections left deep wounds, from unexplained vote suspensions to court closures that choked off legal challenges,” Dr M’membe said.
“Demanding that the country simply remain peaceful while opposition figures face heavy-handed charges and state crackdowns is unsustainable.”
Dr M’membe said true democratic stability in Zambia required accountability, transparent institutions and genuine respect for the rule of law, not an artificial calm that sweeps irregularities under the rug.
