Anglicans in Africa Raise Deep Concerns Over Zambia’s Post-electoral Process, Call for Prayers and Dialogue

Anglicans in Africa Raise Deep Concerns Over Zambia’s Post-electoral Process, Call for Prayers and Dialogue Last week His Grace, Thabo Cecil Makgoba the South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town and the leader of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa issued a statement demanding the release of former Bishop of Botswana, Bishop Dr. Musonda Trevor […]

Anglicans in Africa Raise Deep Concerns Over Zambia’s Post-electoral Process, Call for Prayers and Dialogue

Last week His Grace, Thabo Cecil Makgoba the South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town and the leader of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa issued a statement demanding the release of former Bishop of Botswana, Bishop Dr. Musonda Trevor Selwyn Mwamba.

In this statement the whole Anglican Church in Africa has issued this wide-ranging statement.

Statement and Call to Prayer for Peace in Zambia: Healing, Unity, and Reconciliation

…”Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”..Matthew 5:9

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, and People of Goodwill,

Following the recent General Elections in Zambia, we have witnessed a season of
heightened tension, anxiety, and division within the nation. While elections are a
cornerstone of democracy, the aftermath of this period has left wounds in the fabric of the
Zambian society.

We have seen the breakdown of dialogue, the polarization of communities, and the restriction of freedoms for some citizens.

As a community of faith, we are called to be instruments of peace in times of turmoil. We
are compelled by the Gospel to seek justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our
God (Micah 6:8). In this spirit, we cannot remain silent while members of our community suffer, and while the bridges of communication between opposing parties appear to be collapsing.

Standing in Solidarity with the Detained
Our hearts are particularly heavy as we remember all those currently detained in
connection with the electoral process.

We hold in our prayers every individual who is
separated from their families during this time of uncertainty. We pray for their physical
safety, their mental well-being, and the protection of their dignity.

We note their detention with deep pastoral concern and urge the relevant authorities to
ensure that their rights are respected, that they are afforded due process, and that they are treated with the dignity befitting them as citizens of the nation and their personhood.

The Church stands with all detainees, affirming the principle of habeas corpus and the right to a fair and speedy trial.

A Call for Open Doors of Dialogue

We believe that the challenges facing the nation cannot be solved through detention or
coercion, but only through honest and transparent conversation. We call upon the government,the opposition, civil society, and the church to open the doors of dialogue.

We pray for a spirit of humility to descend upon our leaders. May they lay down the
weapons of harsh words and political maneuvering, and take up the tools of negotiation.and compromise.

Reconciliation is not a sign of weakness; it is the highest form of strength and leadership.

We urge all parties to move beyond the “winner-takes-all” mentality and to work toward a Zambia where every citizen feels seen, heard, and valued.

A Call to Prayer

We hereby invite all congregations, families, and individuals in the Africa Anglican
Communion to dedicate time to pray for the nation of Zambia. Let us fall to our knees,
acknowledging that we need divine intervention to heal the land, the nation, and its people.

Let us Pray:

Almighty and Everlasting God,You are the Prince of Peace and the Healer of broken hearts. We come before You to lift up the nation of Zambia.

We pray for Healing: Heal the divisions that exist among the people tribal, political, economic, social, or any other. Where there is anger, sow love; where there is injury, sow pardon; where there is discord, sow unity.

Touch the hearts of those who are nursing grievances and grant them the grace to seek peace.

We pray for the Detained: Lord, we remember those who are currently in detention. Be their comfort in the lonely hours. Be their shield and their defender.

Grant them strength, courage, and the knowledge that they are not forgotten. We
pray for the officers and authorities that they may act with justice and compassion.

We pray for Reconciliation: Father, we ask for a national renewal of relationships.

Break down the walls of hostility between political rivals. Help them to see one another not as enemies, but as fellow Zambians, created in Your image. We repent of the ways they have used words to tear down rather than build up.

We pray for Unity: Unite the nation, O God, despite the different tribes, political
affiliations, and perspectives. Help them to remember that they are one nation under
Your care. Give leaders who seek to unite rather than divide.

We pray for Dialogue: Lord, we ask that You open doors that no one can shut.
Create opportunities for quiet, constructive conversation among the parties involved
in the current disputes.

Soften hard hearts and remove pride, so that leaders may sit at the table of negotiation for the good of the people.We pray for the Church: Empower your Church in Zambia to be a true bridge-builder.

Grant its leaders the courage to speak truth to power, and the compassior to minister to all sides without partiality.

We ask all of this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reconciles allthings to Himself.
Amen.

Most Rev. Dr. Thabo Makgoba
Metropolitan Archbishop and Primate
Anglican Church of Southern Africa
For and on behalf of the Africa Anglican Primates

Issued this 2nd day of September, 2026, in the name of Peace, Justice, and the Unity of the Republic of Zambia.