Zambia: Leading Democrats in the U.S. Senate Issue Call for Peaceful Elections in Zambia
[United States Senate] Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Africa & Global Health Policy, Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) issued the below statement calling for peaceful, fair elections ahead of the August 13th elections in Zambia.
U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Cory Booker, Jeff Merkley, and Chris Van Hollen have issued a statement urging for peaceful and fair elections in Zambia ahead of the August 13th polls. The United States values its long-standing relationship with Zambia, having partnered on peacekeeping, PEPFAR programming, and democracy initiatives over the past two decades.
Despite past challenges, including the Trump Administration's attempts to link health assistance with mineral access through the Global Health Memorandum of Understanding, close cooperation between the two nations remains crucial.
The senators express deep concern over the Zambian ruling party's efforts to undermine the electoral environment leading up to the August 13th elections. They point to recent actions reminiscent of past elections where political opponents, including President Hakainde Hichilema, were arrested to silence dissent. The senators note that President Hichilema and his United Party for National Development (UPND) are utilizing the same laws, which once targeted and imprisoned figures like Hichilema, to secure a second term.
The senators claim that laws governing political campaign gatherings are selectively enforced to suppress opposition rallies, and that Zambia's Constitution and electoral framework were hastily reformed without adequate consultation from civil society.
The senators urge all parties and candidates to pledge to conduct peaceful elections and ensure that laws are applied consistently and fairly, regardless of party affiliation. They also call on the Department of State to enhance its engagement with Zambian civil society to support Zambia and other key international partners in maintaining democracy and the rule of law before, during, and after the elections.
The senators commend Zambian advocacy groups striving to improve election integrity and remain cautiously optimistic that the August 13th election will offer a chance for a free and fair contest.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
