Transcript of a statement posted to Facebook on 16 Sept 2026

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:5

The Council of Bishops of the Zambia Anglican Council (ZAC), representing theAnglican Church in Zambia, has continued to prayerfully follow developments in ourbeloved country following the General Elections held on 10 August 2026.

As shepherds entrusted with the pastoral care of God’s people, we recognise that moments such as these require the Church to rexercise responsible, courageous and compassionate shepherding: speaking truth-in-love, defending human dignity, encouraging justice, fostering unity and helping our nation pursue the things that make for peace.

Our concern is Zambia. Our concern is justice. Our concern is peace. Our concern is unity. Our concern is the dignity-and wellbeing of every Zambian, regardless of political, ethnic, or tribal afiliation.

GRATITUDE FOR PEACE AND A CALL FOR CALM

We give thanks to the Almighty God that Zambla continues to enjoy relative peace despite the tensions surrounding the electoral and post-electoral period. We commend the millions of Zambians who exercised their democratic responsibility peacefully, and we urge all citizens, political parties, institutions of governance and other stakeholders to exercise restraint and the spirit of charity. The Anglican Communion to which our Church belongs, understands God’s mission as including the call “to seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation, and impartially.”

This is the fourth mark of Anglican mission. 
To members of the Anglican church throughout Zambia, and indeed, to all citizens, we make a special appeal. Remain calm, reject violence, insults, refuse provocation, and demeaning language and continue praying for the nation. 

Political differences must never make us enemies. 
Zambia belongs to all Zambians and no one is more Zambian than the other. After every election, we must find a way. of living together as one people, under God. One Zambia – one mission. 


WE TAKE SERIOUSLY THE CONCERNS ABOUT THE ELECTORAL ENVIRONMENT

We take note of the preliminary assessments and observations made by credible domestic, regional, and international election monitoring institutions, concerning various aspects of the electorall process. Some observers have acknowledged positive aspects of the election, especially during voting, or at the same time, raising concerns regarding elements of a total environment, transparency, political tensions, and aspects of the administration of the electoral process. 


These observations should neither be exaggerated for partisan advantage, nor dismissed merely because the election has concluded. Mature democracies learn from both their successes and their shortcomings. A post mortem is inevitable. 
We therefore call upon the relevant institutions to receive these criticisms, with humility, and to ensure that any outstanding electoral concerns are addressed through lawful, transparent, and credible processes. The credibility of democratic institutions is strengthened rather than weakened when the legitimate questions are answered transparently.

CONCERNS OVER ARRESTS AND DETENTIONS

The Zambian Anglican Council is deeply concerned about reports of pre and post election arrests and continued detention of political actors and other citizens. We recognize fully the constitutional responsibility of the state to maintain law and order, protect citizens, investigate alleged offenses, and bring before the courts persons against whom there is sufficient evidence. No person is about the law, but at the same time, no person should be beneath the protection of the law. 
The rule of law requires both accountability and restaint. Allegations, including serious allocations relating to national security, must be investigated professionally and impassionately. For emphasis, let me remind us that they must be investigated professionally and impassionately. 

An allegation or accusation is not a conviction. An accused person remains innocent until one is convicted by the courts of law. Every suspect is entitled to the presumption of innocence and to the protection of his or her fundamental rights and dignity until a competent court determines otherwise.

We therefore appeal to the Zambia Police Service and all other security agencies to exercise the highest standards of professionalism, impartiality and respect for human dignity in the execution of their constitutional responsibilities.

Fellow citizens, those arrested should be informed of the reasons for their arrest, treated humanely, allowed appropriate access to legal representation, family and necessary medical care, and brought before the appropriate judicial authorities within the requirements of the law.

Where prosecution is not warranted, alternative lawful resolutions should be pursued without unnecessary delay. Justice delayed is justice denied. Justice must not only punish wrongdoing; justice must also protect the innocent from arbitrary treatment.

The Zambia American Council is particularly concerned about all the incarcerated, including our own bishop, the Rt. Rev. Trevor Mwanda, retired, who is a retired Anglican bishop, whose help is a source of concern. Plus the health of all the other people that are in detention. 
We, therefore, respectfully, but urgently appeal to the relevant authorities, to ensure that the well being of all those who have been detained are given access to necessary medical attention and medications, appropriate access to their families, friends, and legal representatives, and the expeditious handling of whatever legal processes concern them. 

Arrested persons — with a further concern by reports and perceptions that, in some cases, persons are arrested or taken into custody, and their families and lawyers are unable for a period of time to establish where they are being held. Such practices, or even the perception of such practices, create unnecessary fear, tension, and undermine power, confidence, and institutions entrusted with mainting law and order. 


Whenever a person is lawfully taken into custody, there should be transparency concerning the fact and place of detention, subject only to restrictions that are clearly provided for by law. Families should not have to search from police station to police station, seeking information about their loved ones. The strength of the state is not demonstrated by the fear it can create among its citizens, but by the justice, professionalism, and restraint with which it exercises lawful authority. 

Editor’s note: The following paragraph was cut off in the video statement but appears in the original.

ZAMBIA NEEDS GENUINE DIALOGUE, RECONCILIATION AND HEALING

Our nation must now move beyond the language of winners and losers towards the greater task of rebuilding trust and healing. Elections determine who governs; they.do not determine who belongs. Every Zambian still belongs.

We therefore appeal to those who have assumed the responsibility to govern, leaders of opposition political parties, constitutional office holders, traditional leaders, Church leaders and other stakeholders to create space for genuine national dialogue.

Such dialogue must not be cosmetic. It must provide space for honest conversation about the concerns that have emerged before, during and after the elections. Reconciliation cannot simply mean asking wounded people to forget. Christian reconciliation involves truth telling justice, repentance, forgiveness and the rebuilding of relationships. We believe Zambia possesses sufficient wisdom, faith and institutional capacity to resolve political differences and tension peacefully.

OUR APPEAL TO THE NATION

At this critical moment, the Council of Bishops therefore calls upon: Government, to exercise authority with humility, restraint and respect for constitutional rights; The Zambia Police Service and other securit agencies, to uphold professionalism, impartiality, due process and humane treatment of all; The judiciary and instutions of Justice to ensure that that matters matters involving detained persons are handled independently, fairly and expeditiously.

The Rt Rev Dennis Milanzi, Bishop of the Diocese of Eastern Zambia and Presiding Bishop of the Zambia Anglican Council

The Most Rev Dr Albert Chama, Bishop of the Diocese of Lusaka and Archbishop of the Church of the Province of Central Africa

The Rt Rev John Kafwanka, Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Zambia

The Rt Rev Japhet Ponda, Bishop of the Diocese of Luapula

The Rt Rev Emmanuel Y. Chikoya, Bishop of the Diocese of Central Zambia.