New People’s Pact unveiled

...as M'membe accuses the United Party for National Development (UPND) administration of unwillful failure to lead the nation in the right economic direction, democratic erosion and promoting tribal division.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (10-01-2026) --- The 2026 general elections provide the people of Zambia with an opportunity to choose an alternative path toward a desired national destination, People’s Pact presidential candidate Fred M’membe has said, urging citizens to actively participate in removing what he described as a failed UPND administration from office.

Dr M’membe was speaking on Saturday during the official launch of the People’s Pact movement, where he delivered a broad and scathing critique of the government, accusing it of presiding over deepening economic hardship, weakening democratic institutions and promoting divisive tribal politics.

Dr M’membe said the People’s Pact was not formed out of personal ambition but out of the lived experiences of millions of Zambians suffering from poverty, unemployment, injustice and marginalisation. 

He described himself as one among many citizens who refuse to remain silent as the country, in his view, continues on a dangerous trajectory.

He painted a bleak picture of daily life across the country, citing conditions in Lusaka’s high-density townships such as Kanyama and rural communities in Eastern Province. 

He said many families were struggling to survive, with parents unable to provide basic necessities due to widespread unemployment.

Dr M’membe said many men spend entire days idle not by choice but because there are no jobs available, while young people who complete secondary school, college and university are left without opportunities.

“Opportunity has become the privilege of the connected few,” he said.

On wages and the cost of living, Dr M’membe criticised the K350 minimum wage, describing it as inadequate and demeaning in the face of rising food prices, electricity tariffs and basic household costs. 

He accused the government of failing to protect workers and ordinary citizens from worsening poverty.

He also condemned the state of public health services, citing shortages at major hospitals, including the University Teaching Hospital.

 He said the lack of essential medical supplies, particularly for pregnant women, was not misfortune but the result of negligence and poor leadership.

Dr M’membe accused the government of surrendering Zambia’s economic sovereignty to international interests while portraying itself as a capable economic manager. 

He said promises of hope, recovery and prosperity made during the last election campaign had not been fulfilled.

He further raised concern over what he described as the erosion of democratic institutions, saying the judiciary, once a source of national pride, was increasingly perceived as partisan, while the police were allegedly being used to intimidate critics rather than uphold the law.

Dr M’membe alleged that opposition members, journalists, religious leaders and ordinary citizens were being harassed for expressing dissenting views, warning that the space for free expression and democratic participation was shrinking.

Referring to the reported harassment of a senior religious leader, he said the People’s Pact stood in solidarity with religious leaders and journalists who refused to provide moral or professional cover for injustice.

He also criticised Parliament, arguing that laws were increasingly being passed through pressure rather than open debate, thereby weakening oversight and accountability.

Dr M’membe questioned the independence of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), arguing that public confidence in free and fair elections had been undermined.

He further condemned what he described as tribal rhetoric emerging from the highest levels of political leadership, warning that such language threatened national unity and social cohesion.

“Zambia was built on the principle of One Zambia, One Nation,” he said, adding that leadership which speaks in tribal terms weakens its moral authority and risks dividing the country.

The People’s Pact leader said the movement rejected tribalism in all its forms and would remain a national platform representing all Zambians regardless of tribe, region or background.

He also addressed the prolonged mortuary standoff involving former President Rupiah Banda, describing the situation as embarrassing, inhumane and contrary to African values. 

He called for the immediate resolution of the matter to allow the family and the nation closure.

“This is not about politics. It is about basic human decency and respect for the dead,” he said.

On civil liberties, Dr M’membe condemned the arrest and persecution of social media users and critics, insisting that no Zambian should be imprisoned for expressing an opinion. 

He said questioning authority was not treason but an essential part of democracy.

Dr M’membe said the movement would pursue economic justice by prioritising Zambian workers and businesses, renegotiating international agreements that burden future generations, and investing in agriculture, manufacturing and technology to create jobs.

He pledged to restore the independence of the judiciary through transparent appointments, strengthen parliamentary oversight, guarantee the autonomy of the ECZ and protect freedom of the press.

 Dr M’membe called on citizens—particularly young people and women—to become actively involved in shaping the country’s future, saying meaningful change would only come through unity, organisation and public participation.

People’s Pact Vice President Kaluba Simuyemba on Saturday accused the UPND government of undermining democracy and pledged comprehensive reforms if elected in 2026.

Speaking during a public gathering, Simuyemba said the rule of law had been “twisted into an instrument of oppression,” warning that opposition leaders and critical citizens faced intimidation through arrests and court actions.

“These weapons do not explode with fire or smoke. They explode in courtrooms through arrests and rulings. This is political victimisation and persecution,” he said.

Simuyemba criticised the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act, calling it a “digital dictatorship.” 

He said the law, originally meant to protect citizens from online fraud, had been used to criminalise dissent, including jokes or online commentary.

“No Zambian should be arrested simply for holding a different view,” he said. “The People’s Pact will repeal this law and guarantee freedom of expression in physical and digital spaces.”

He also condemned the Public Order Act, accusing the government of restricting opposition activities and intimidating citizens.

“What we saw today was not policing; it was intimidation,” Simuyemba said.

On constitutional amendments, Simuyemba argued that changes were made to serve political interests rather than the people. 

He promised that a People’s Pact government would craft a new, people-driven constitution featuring decentralisation, reduced presidential powers, stronger judicial independence, and protection of citizens’ rights.

“This will not be a constitution written in offices,” he said. “It will be written in communities, villages, churches, mosques, and schools.”

He urged Zambians to organise, educate, and mobilise ahead of the 2026 elections.

“If we permit this government to continue consolidating power, we will wake up in a country where even dreaming is a crime,” Simuyemba warned.

He concluded: “The People’s Pact will repeal oppressive laws and build a Zambia where the law protects citizens, not persecutes them. In August 2026, freedom will triumph over oppression. Democracy will prevail in Zambia.”

Another People’s Pact Vice President, Robert Sichinga, on Friday unveiled the party’s plan to transform Zambia’s economy through agriculture-led growth, anti-corruption measures, and debt restructuring. 

He accused the current administration of failing to prioritise citizens’ welfare.

Sichinga said agriculture must be central to economic management, noting its potential to lift Zambians out of poverty. 

He stressed that timely payments for inputs such as seed and fertiliser are critical, promising that farmers would be fully paid under a People’s Pact government.

“Fertiliser support is the largest government programme, and under our leadership, it will be managed efficiently and transparently,” he said. 

“Farmers who deliver maize will be paid on time, unlike the current situation where resources are diverted to politically motivated spending.”

Sichinga identified corruption, waste, and poor prioritisation as major obstacles to economic growth. 

He pledged to use technology to ensure accountability at all levels, including among party leaders, and to improve efficiency across government programmes.

Highlighting Zambia’s agricultural potential, Sichinga noted the country’s vast land and water resources, as well as past maize production levels that exceeded national needs.

“Zambia should be exporting food, not struggling with shortages,” he said.

Sichinga also warned against tribalism, which he said threatens national unity and limits opportunities for youth. 

He highlighted that about 7.5 million Zambians are unemployed, the majority of them young people.

He said the People’s Pact’s vision is to move Zambia “from a debt trap to industrialisation and sustainable economic prosperity” and urged citizens to support a political shift prioritising unity, accountability, and economic justice.

Naison Ngoma, Deputy Secretary General of the People’s Pact, criticised successive governments for neglecting farmers despite their role in feeding the nation.

“Many workers, little yield. Farmers toil under the sun, feed our cities, and yet remain the poorest among us. This is not an accident—it is a policy choice,” Ngoma said.

He said the UPND government had failed to deliver on agricultural promises, leaving peasant farmers underserved through reliance on maize, inadequate mechanisation, and budgets favoring large-scale commercial farmers.

Ngoma pledged that a People’s Pact government would allocate 10 percent of the national budget to agriculture and implement programs to increase productivity and improve rural livelihoods. 

Inputs will be delivered on time, suited to each agro-ecological zone, and distributed transparently through farmer cooperatives using a revolving fund system.

He also announced a national irrigation program aiming for 20 percent coverage in 10 years, recruitment of 10,000 extension officers, establishment of a National Agriculture Marketing Board, investment in rural roads and storage, and creation of a specialised agriculture development bank for farmers.

The program includes value addition, crop diversification, livestock support, land security reforms, and incentives for youth-led agri-business.

“These measures will close the productivity gap with Zambia’s neighbours, improve food security, boost industrial development, reduce rural poverty, and strengthen economic stability,” Ngoma said.

He estimated the 10 percent budget allocation at 15–20 billion Kwacha annually, adding it is feasible if corruption and poorly designed programs are addressed.

“Investing in agriculture is the smartest economic strategy Zambia can have. The liberation of Zambia’s farmers will not be given; it must be seized,” Ngoma said. He urged farmers to organise through cooperatives and mobilise ahead of the 2026 elections.

Cosmas Musumali, Secretary General of the People’s Pact, said the movement reflects widespread demand for change.

“What happened today is exactly why we should change, why we need something new,” Musumali said. 

“They will do everything possible to stop you from organising, but they will not stop us because it is the will of the people.”

He explained that the People’s Pact emerged after more than a year of consultations with political leaders, civil society, and community groups to select leaders with integrity and experience.

“The People’s Pact is from the people of Zambia. They want change, and they’re saying enough is enough,” Musumali said, highlighting support from churches, traditional leaders, and ordinary citizens. 

He predicted rapid membership growth, saying the movement could become the largest gathering of leaders and supporters in recent memory.

Among the notable figures involved is Professor Naison Ngoma, a former defence officer and academic known for his integrity. “He is here and saying, ‘I am part of the movement,’” Musumali added.

United for Better Zambia (UBZ) President Hector Sondo on Saturday announced alignment with the People’s Pact, citing Zambia’s critical need for opposition unity.

Sondo said his decision was shaped by the 2021 elections, when he observed that many Zambians were misled into believing the country was on the right path while conditions worsened.

He expressed confidence in People’s Pact leadership, including Robert Sichinga, noting that their values resonate with ordinary citizens.

Sondo urged Zambians to reflect on recent developments and the need for political change, calling for unity and resilience among supporters to collectively work toward a better Zambia.

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