NRPUP Pulls Out of Tonse Alliance

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

LUSAKA, Zambia24 — 23-08-2026 — The National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) has pulled out of the Tonse Alliance with immediate effect, saying it can no longer continue with the political grouping under the prevailing circumstances.

The decision marks a major shift in the political positioning of NRPUP following the 2026 general elections and comes at a time when political parties that formed alliances before the elections are beginning to reassess their relationships, strategies and future direction.

NRPUP Secretary General Nonde Mubanga announced the withdrawal during a media briefing in Lusaka, saying the decision followed consultations within the party and a review of the alliance's objectives, direction and operations.

Mubanga said the party had taken time to assess whether the alliance was still providing the political platform through which NRPUP could effectively pursue its objectives and represent the interests of its members and supporters.

He said the leadership had therefore resolved that the party would be better placed to pursue its political programme independently.

Mubanga said the decision did not mean NRPUP had abandoned its commitment to national unity, cooperation and development.

“While we remain committed to the values of unity, cooperation and national development, we believe that our goals and aspirations can be more effectively pursued through an alternative path that best serves the interests of our members and supporters,” he said.

He said the withdrawal should not be viewed as an attempt by NRPUP to create conflict with other parties that made up the Tonse Alliance.

According to Mubanga, NRPUP remained appreciative of the relationships it established with its former partners and the work undertaken collectively during the period the party was part of the alliance.

“Our withdrawal should not be interpreted as hostility or opposition towards any individual or organisation within the Alliance,” he said.

Mubanga said the party had simply reached a point where it believed a different political direction was necessary.

He said NRPUP would now place greater emphasis on its own political programme and strengthen its structures as it moves into the next phase of its political activities.

The decision effectively puts the future relationship between NRPUP and the remaining members of the Tonse Alliance under scrutiny, particularly as political parties reassess the effectiveness of alliances formed ahead of the August 13 general election.

Political alliances often bring together parties with different political programmes, leadership structures and constituencies, requiring continuous consultation and coordination. The decision by one of the alliance partners to withdraw therefore has the potential to alter the political calculations of the grouping.

However, Mubanga did not announce any immediate new political alliance or partnership that NRPUP intends to join.

Instead, he said the party would first complete its internal consultations before announcing its next course of action.

He said NRPUP would continue participating in national affairs and remain committed to democratic principles and the interests of Zambians.

Mubanga said the party's immediate focus would be on consolidating its structures, engaging its membership and determining how best to advance its political programme outside the Tonse Alliance.

He said details of the party's future political activities would be communicated after the leadership concludes its consultations.

The withdrawal therefore leaves NRPUP facing a new political phase in which the party will have to define its identity and strategy independently, while the Tonse Alliance will have to assess the implications of losing one of its partners.

For now, NRPUP says its decision is final and that its next political steps will be announced after consultations within the party are concluded.