LCK Freedom Foundation (@FreedomLck) header
LCK Freedom Foundation (@FreedomLck) profile picture

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
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
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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
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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?
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"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.
Member of Parliament - Nsama Mpundu shares his personal views on Presidential term limits
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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
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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/…
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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/…
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CLAIMING AFRICAN CITIZENSHIP: Joint African Civil Society Statement on the Right to Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa
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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…
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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
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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 🇿🇲
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“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.
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Even the most die hard would find it difficult to defend what’s happening today at the courts
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Zambia’s election was flawed and may need to be rerun l.theafricareport.com/vC9
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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/…
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The Commonwealth expresses concern at the post-election situation in Zambia and urges full respect for the rights of all persons and for the rule of law, in line with the values of the Commonwealth Charter. Read the Secretary-General's full statement: bit.ly/4gnuHez
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Hakainde Hichilema almost certainly received the most votes. But evidence of inflated tallies presented by independent observers suggests the president did not win 60%, as the electoral commission claims economist.com/middle-east-an…
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JOINT CIVIL SOCIETY STATEMENT ON THE KILLING OF FORMER MINISTER AND OPPOSITION LEADER HON. MUTOTWE KAFWAYA.
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Irregular Network Patterns Observed on MTN and Airtel Networks On 19 August 2026, irregular network performance was observed on the MTN and Airtel networks. Users experienced intermittent connectivity, particularly in Lusaka Province. Several OONI Probe tests conducted by Chapter One Foundation monitors were unsuccessful or returned errors, indicating possible broader connectivity challenges. While the failed tests do not confirm the cause of the disruption, the combined observations point to a period of unstable and unreliable network service, warranting further monitoring and follow-up during the post-election period. While failed tests alone cannot establish the specific cause of the disruption, they provide an important indication of connectivity challenges during the period. This was also notable as monitors had not previously experienced the application failing to operate to this extent due to poor network connectivity. Overall, the combination of slow WhatsApp message delivery, frequent network interruptions and unsuccessful OONI Probe tests indicates a period of irregular and unreliable network performance on the the 19th August 2026. These observations warrant further monitoring and follow-up, particularly given the importance of reliable communication and access to information during the post-election period. Chapter One Foundation is monitoring the Internet Disruptions and Network performance as part of its broader efforts to strengthen electoral integrity, promote digital rights, and protect access to information in Zambia. #InternetWatch #DigitalRights #KeepItOn #ChapterOneFoundation
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The assassination of Mutotwe Kafwaya (Member of Parliament) in Zambia demonstrates the character of the 'election' held in that country under the aegis of President Hakainde Hichilema - whose administration suspended the voting, arrested opponents, and then, the gunfire. We stand with the Zambian people who deserve better than bullets and truncheons.
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