Event Summary
On 19 November 2025, Given Lubinda, acting president of Zambia’s opposition Patriotic Front (PF) and contender for the party presidency, was abducted in Kabwe by a group that included at least one individual wearing United Party for National Development (UPND) attire. Video footage and social media livestreams captured Lubinda being forcibly restrained and assaulted. A UPND youth cadre later admitted involvement during a live broadcast. The incident triggered nationwide alarm due to Lubinda’s high-profile status and the overtly political nature of the violence. Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu condemned the attack, pledging that all perpetrators—regardless of political affiliation—would face criminal accountability. The Catholic Bishops also condemned the abduction, urging political actors to reject hostility and uphold peace. This incident highlights escalating political tensions and the growing normalization of violence in Zambia’s political landscape. Although civil society has not yet been directly targeted, the rapid rise in politically motivated attacks in the same week is alarming and could spill over, creating a hostile environment for civic actors and democratic engagement. Continuous monitoring is critical to determine whether these patterns evolve into broader repression or intimidation of activists. Civil society should prepare proactive advocacy strategies to safeguard democratic norms and prevent further erosion of political freedoms, as these developments risk creating a chilling effect on participation and weakening the enabling environment for civic space.