As Zambia prepares for its general election on August 13 2026, Malawians have every reason to follow with great interest. Zambia is not just our neighbor, our countries share a long history, strong family ties and close economic and political relations from many years.
For the benefit of the young ones, before independence, Malawi and Zambia were part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Zambia’s founding president, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, fondly known as KK, also had Malawi family roots through the Gwebe Nyirenda lineage in Kasoba, Karonga, my lovely home district. Over the years, thousands of Malawians migrated to Zambia, especially to work in the Copperbelt mines. Today, surnames such as Banda, Phiri, Lungu, Nyirenda, Kamanga and Kambwiri are common on both sides of the border, showing the deep bond between us.
Because of our deep historical, political and social ties, Zambia’s elections are not merely a domestic affair, they are of interest to the Sadc region, including Malawi. As President Hakainde Hichilema, commonly known as HH, and his United Party for National Development (UPND) party, seek a second-term against a united opposition under the Tonse Alliance, Zambians have an opportunity to learn from Malawi’s experience with coalition politics.
Malawians remember the reality of political alliances. In 2020, the Tonse Alliance brought together several political parties with the shared objective of removing the then Democratic Progress Party administration led by Prof Peter Mutharika. This alliance inspired Malawians’ hope. Many believed that unity among opposition parties would automatically produce better leadership, stronger governance and faster national development.
Unfortunately, that hope unfolded differently.
Over time, cracks within the alliance became evident. Some partners complained of exclusion from decision-making while others accused one political party of dominating the coalition and abandoning the spirit of the alliance agreement. The unity that had inspired Malawian voters gradually disappeared, leaving many disappointed that the alliance failed to deliver on its promises.
This experience does not mean every political alliance is destined to fail. Alliances remain an important feature of democratic politics around the world. However, they succeed only when they are built on shared principles, mutual trust, respect among coalition partners and a clear long-term programme of government, rather than merely being driven by the desire to win elections, access power, or share positions.
These are lessons that Zambians may wish to consider carefully as they make their electoral choices.
I have been following HH’s leadership in Zambia, and I will not shy away to say he has recorded achievements that deserve consideration for a second-term. His government introduced free education from primary to secondary school, enabling more than 2.5 million children to return to school. It increased the Constituency Development Fund, giving local communities greater resources for development projects. The administration also restored meal allowances for students in public universities and colleges and introduced school feeding programmes in many primary schools.
Economically, the government has worked with international partners to restructure Zambia’s debt, helping restore investor-confidence. Inflation has declined compared to previous years, economic growth has recovered, and mining investment has increased, supported by policies that encourage greater participation by Zambians in the mining sector. Internationally, Zambia has also strengthened its reputation as a country committed to economic reform and democratic governance under HH.
Despite these achievements, many Zambians remain concerned about the high cost of living, unemployment and electricity shortages. While no government could address every challenge overnight, these issues remain key factors shaping a competitive election.
But in the end, it is the Zambians who will decide. Elections are about weighing promises against performance. Important for voters should be to avoid repeating Malawi’s experience with Tonse Alliance failures to deliver.
As Malawians, we watch Zambia’s election not as outsiders, but as neighbours with shared historical interests. Whatever the outcome on August 13 will be, one hopes that the election will be peaceful, credible and accepted by all.
