We are focused on advancing constitutionalism, human rights, and the rule of law in Zambia through strategic and public interest litigation
Lusaka, Zambia
Joined October 2025
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CSOs defend the right to protest
The rights to freedom of assembly, association, and freedom of expression are fundamental pillars of our democracy. Peaceful demonstrations encapsulate all three of those rights. They serve as a vehicle through which citizens can be heard and hopefully clearly understood by public servants, including those holding the highest offices in the country. It is not in the interests of those who wish to demonstrate to prevent them from doing so as citizens’ pent up frustrations can sometimes exhibit themselves in unconstructive ways, so the peaceful demonstration should definitely go ahead. It is a form of engagement with the authorities.
Dialogue is a separate form of engagement with Government. Indeed, the LCK Freedom Foundation, Chapter One Foundation, Caritas Zambia, Free Press Initiative,, and the Advocates for Democracy and Good Governance Foundation wrote to the Government twice calling for dialogue between civil society, the Church, and opposition political parties to resolve the political challenges facing the country. Those requests went unanswered. We also recall an attempt by the Oasis Forum to plan a peaceful demonstration against Bill 7 a year ago in November 2025. That demonstration was stopped in order to facilitate dialogue. That dialogue did not yield the desired results; Bill 7 was passed without sufficient consultation.
There appears to be a concerted effort to prevent public gatherings under this Government and it is not healthy for our democracy. Governments should never be afraid of the people who elected them to office. The will of the people must be upheld and respected if our democracy is to thrive.
lnkd.in/d9eHHFBV
LCK Freedom Foundation retweeted
Honourable Minister, with all due respect, the people are not setting Zambia on fire. The people are trying to put out the fire you started. You cannot increase the price of mealie meal, increase fuel, increase electricity tariffs, increase the cost of living, and then when the people complain, you say they want to set the country on fire.
The people are not arsonists. They are victims of the fire.
2. Zambia Is Not A Banana Republic.
We agree, Minister. Completely. A banana republic is where the government threatens its own citizens for speaking. A banana republic is where police are used to intimidate church leaders. A banana republic is where anyone who disagrees is called a "troublemaker" or "unpatriotic."
So if Zambia is not a banana republic, then act like it is not one. In a real democracy, the government does not warn citizens. The Constitution warns the government.
3. ON CHURCH LEADERS AND POLITICIANS "operating outside their mandate."
Minister, let us read the law for you free of charge.
Article 11 of the Constitution of Zambia, guarantees freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, and freedom of conscience.
Article 19 guarantees freedom of conscience and religion.
The Church does not need permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs to speak. The Church's mandate comes from God, not from Government. The Church was speaking against injustice before UPND existed, and it will still be speaking after UPND is gone.
And politicians? Their mandate is to represent the people, not to praise the President.
4. The Real Threat,
The real threat to peace is not the people talking. The real threat is a government that threatens its people for talking.
You cannot say "we will not allow anyone to set Zambia on fire" while you are the one holding the matchbox of threats, intimidation, and police brutality.
Zambians have a constitutional right to protest, to criticise, to assemble, to speak, to worship, and to disagree.
That is not disarray. That is democracy.
So, Honourable Minister, we respectfully advise you, Stop threatening Zambians. Stop warning church leaders. Stop warning civil society.
Instead, warn the people in your own government who are stealing, who are pushing for third term, who are abusing power. That is the fire that will burn Zambia. Not the people.
Zambia belongs to all of us. Not to the Minister. Not to the Government. To the people.
And the people will not be silenced by threats.
We won't allow anyone to set Zambia on fire, Govt warns
By Precious Daka
MINISTER of Home Affairs and Internal Security Dr Clement Andeleki has warned that government will not tolerate anyone attempting to put the country into disarray, as Zambia is not a banana republic.
Meanwhile, Dr Andeleki has cautioned church leaders and politicians against operating outside their mandate.
Recently a consortium of civil society
diggers.news/local/2026/11/0…
Read more @ Diggers.News
PRESS STATEMENT | 6 NOVEMBER 2026
END THE JUDICIAL PERSECUTION: FREE TUNDU LISSU UNCONDITIONALLY AND
RESTORE THE RULE OF LAW IN TANZANIA
PASNet demands the immediate, unconditional release of CHADEMA Chairperson Tundu
Lissu, an end to the judicial weaponization of Tanzanian courts, and independent
international accountability for state-sponsored atrocities during the post-election crisis.
On 6 November 2026, Tanzania’s High Court acquitted Tundu Lissu of bogus treason charges after
he endured 577 days of arbitrary detention. Yet, in a glaring act of judicial gymnastics, the court
manufactured a conviction on uncharged "incitement" allegations, sentencing him to four years in
prison. This outcome exposes a deeply compromised judicial system that functions not as an arbiter
of justice, but as an enforcement tool for political persecution.
Read the full statement below:
LCK Freedom Foundation retweeted
The @eu_eeas EU Election Observer Mission to #Zambia ably led by @McNamaraMEP deserves recognition and acclaimed for the thoroughness of its work and reports and its consistent calls for the observance of human rights, the rule of law, and free and fair elections in Zambia. Clearly, they did not come to Zambia to observe our elections just to tick a box. They deserve the full support of all Zambians. Well done to the entire team!
We'll closely follow Mundubile trial - EU Mission
By Ivy Mwansa
THE European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) says it will closely follow the trial of Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu.
EU EOM Chief Observer Michael McNamara says he hopes that the European Union in Zambia will also follow the trial because there is “undoubtedly a political dimension” to the case,
diggers.news/local/2026/11/0…
Read more @ Diggers.News
LCK Freedom Foundation retweeted
COURAGE UNDER FIRE
The other day a young lady reached out to me asking:
"How do we overcome the fear that has gripped our people? Today, many citizens seem engulfed by fear, and I worry that if this continues, we may face serious challenges as a nation. History has taught us that freedom cannot be defended by a fearful people. Fear silences voices, weakens unity, and discourages citizens from standing up for what is right. A people who live in perpetual fear struggle to fully exercise their freedoms and rights. In your view, what can be done to inspire courage, restore confidence, and encourage citizens to participate openly in shaping the future of our country?"
It is a very important question. To my mind this question presupposes another question that was not asked, "how do we remain safe and speak out about injustices?" Several years ago, I wrote an article entitled, 'Courage Under Fire' which addresses this precise issue (you may read it on the link below).
lindakasonde.substack.com/p/…
Whilst my primary advice for anyone would be not to do anything foolish and to remain within the confines of the law, the truth is that standing up for what is right CONSISTENTLY comes at a cost. So my dear citizens, the real question is are you prepared to make sacrifices to have the future you and your children deserve?
LCK Freedom Foundation retweeted
"We should be able to define our own government system" but goes on to talk about Canada, a country that elects a party, not a leader: where PMs have question period where opposition leaders grill them directly and aren't insulated and deified the way that a President is.
LCK Freedom Foundation retweeted
Dear President @HHichilema,
I hope you are well today. I am doing fine.
Sir, Parliament is entrusted with making, amending and repealing laws, representing citizens and holding the government accountable. It is, therefore, important that the institution upholds the very democratic principles it exists to serve.
I wish to categorically state that Zambian citizens are not calling for a third presidential term or any adjustment to the existing term limit. The two-term limit is a constitutional safeguard and citizens are perfectly comfortable with it.
Please do not be misled by anyone who seeks to portray the push for a third term as the will of the majority of Zambians.
It comforts my heart to know that you are an advocate for democracy and the rule of law. I trust that, in your own time, you will address those openly advancing the idea of you being President of Zambia “muyayaya” from the floor of Parliament.
Such rhetoric is dangerous in a democracy. The prospect of extending power beyond constitutionally established limits should never be trivialised, normalised or encouraged by anyone acting in good faith.
I wish you good health and all the best as you continue championing the growth and development of our beautiful Republic through the Grow Zambia agenda.
Yours truly,
Wezi
@FreedomLck and 11 other CSOs notify the Zambia Police of a public demonstration calling for the maintenance and protection of the current presidential terms limits and for our constitutional values and norms to be upheld and respected.
All are welcome!
An article on Zambia by Human Rights Watch entitled, 'Zambia: Widespread Repression in Post-Election Crackdown'
#Zambia
#humanrights
hrw.org/news/2026/11/01/zamb…
LCK Freedom Foundation retweeted
Echoes of Wamuyayaya: Is Parliament Dead?
My latest Substack article talking about the fact that whilst there doesn't appear to be any meaningful opposition in the National Assembly, all is not lost as history shows that we have been here before and our democracy survived. Please read and enjoy!
lindakasonde.substack.com/p/…
LCK Freedom Foundation retweeted
SELECTIVE JUSTICE IS INJUSTICE
Below is an article that I have written explaining why it is important to respect human rights and the rule of law in every case, even if the alleged perpetrator is despised. Transparency and and accountability are at the heart of any democratic governance system. Governments are answerable to their citizens as to how they exercise that power. I argue my case using the case of former Petauke Central MP Emmanuel Jay Banda.
lindakasonde.substack.com/p/…
LCK Freedom Foundation retweeted
CLAIMING AFRICAN CITIZENSHIP: Joint African Civil Society Statement on the Right to Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa
LCK Freedom Foundation retweeted
Wounded Leadership
One of the reasons that I often lament about the lack of women in leadership is that we often miss out on or underplay powerful voices that we should be listening to. This evening, I recalled a 2014 Tedx talk by former Namibian First Lady Monica Kalondo Geingos about wounded leadership which is still very relevant today. She talks about how corrosive power can be, more so in the hands of people in authority with character flaws induced by personal trauma.
As a disclaimer, Madam Geingos admits that she too is a wounded leader and that left unchecked, she too could be "a dictator of note". The truth is we're all wounded in some shape or form, I know that I am, but as Madam Geingos says if as a society we do not put in place guardrails to save our leaders from the worst versions of themselves, we will all suffer for it.
Take time to listen to this classic TEDx talk and please reflect on the role that you can play in protecting our leaders from themselves for the betterment of society.
#RuleofLaw
#Consitutionalism
#Democracy
#Zambia
Source: YouTube share.google/RrII8Gwz5P9Y5p7…
LCK Freedom Foundation retweeted
CHALO CHESU: THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Yesterday was World Peace Day. I sometimes wonder about the people of Congo, Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and Yemen. People who experience daily violence and upheaval. People who long for peace. Then there are those of them who have fled their countries to places alien to them, places that may offer them temporary shelter, but perhaps are unkind to them.
Have you ever lived in exile - whether spiritual, social, or physical? If you have then you know there’s no place like “home”: where you don’t have to explain yourself, where your identity is not questioned, where you are loved. I have thought about this a lot recently as I have witnessed my home country Zambia being turn into something almost unrecognizable. Fear, repression, and witch hunting are taking root - redefining terms that previously seemed unquestionable; words like “freedom”, “democracy” and “citizenship”.
The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 that there is a better way, that way is love. The language of love is understood in all faiths and persuasions. It is the opposite of hate and of causing strife. In the words of Pope John Paul II: “Peace requires four essential conditions: truth, justice, love, and freedom”. I hope and pray that my fellow Zambianhs meditate on these values. They are won and easily lost.
#Zambia
LCK Freedom Foundation retweeted
CSOs respond to the AG's statement of 16 Sept:
Our rule of law concerns are backed by observer missions, Bar Associations & the UN Special Rapporteur. We welcome dialogue & propose a concrete agenda.
ADGF, Caritas Zambia, @CofZambia, @ZambiaFree , @FreedomLck #RuleOfLaw 🇿🇲
LCK Freedom Foundation retweeted
“What is happening in Zambia is completely unprecedented. Today, we have witnessed our entire judiciary being shut down, purportedly due to a security threat.
Today also happens to be the final day for filing a presidential election petition to challenge the results of the 13th August 2026 presidential election. Today may be the last day of our democracy.”
Linda Kasonde,
President of the Law Society of Zambia, 2016-2018.
LCK Freedom Foundation retweeted
Zambia’s election was flawed and may need to be rerun l.theafricareport.com/vC9
LCK Freedom Foundation retweeted
Zambian police summoned the nation’s opposition leader after he pledged to challenge the outcome of last week’s presidential election, over which observers have raised concerns bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
