The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has warned that rising political polarisation, the use of ethnic identity for political gain and a narrowing space for free expression are weakening national unity, and has called on political players to step back and de-escalate.

In a pastoral letter released yesterday, the bishops appealed for sober reflection, courage, responsibility and a renewed commitment to the common good to safeguard the nation. They were careful to say the Church was not stepping into partisan territory.

“Our purpose is not to deepen political divisions or to take sides in partisan struggles,” the pastoral letter said. “It is to contribute, as the Church has consistently sought to do, to the protection of human dignity, the strengthening of justice and peace, the defence of truth, and the preservation of our national unity.”

The bishops said the country was facing serious and increasing political polarisation, which was weakening dialogue and cooperation and making it hard for citizens to place the common good above partisan interests. What troubled them most was the use of ethnic identity and tribalism for political benefit.

“We are concerned about the manipulation of ethnic identities and tribal sentiments for political purposes,” they said. “Such tendencies threaten the spirit expressed in our national motto, ‘One Zambia, One Nation,’ and risk creating divisions and mistrust among citizens.”

The letter also gave voice to fear. The bishops said many citizens were afraid for their personal security, their freedom of expression and their employment, and feared the consequences of expressing political opinions. They named the ill-treatment of independent media, civil society and dissenting voices as a further source of concern, along with the narrowing space for freedom of expression.

On elections, the bishops said they were concerned about the credibility and transparency of electoral processes, including the concerns raised over the conduct and management of the 2026 General Elections. They said a healthy democracy requires room for responsible disagreement and peaceful participation, and spelled out why confidence in the vote matters.

“Public confidence in elections is essential to the legitimacy and stability of democratic institutions,” the letter said.

The bishops said restrictions, intimidation and harassment were affecting access to justice. They singled out the difficulties faced by opposition parties and political actors, including reports of harassment, restrictions and arrests, and set out the principle they believe is at stake.

“Democracy requires space for alternative political voices and peaceful political participation,” the bishops said. “We are concerned about intimidation, political violence and cadreism, which discourage citizens from participating freely and peacefully in public life.”

They appealed for a renewed commitment to the dignity of every human person, and said no political interest, party loyalty, ethnic identity or exercise of power could justify the violation of human dignity or the taking of innocent life. Turning to institutions, they urged the protection and strengthening of constitutionalism, the rule of law and the independence of the bodies established to serve the people.

“Public institutions must be instruments of justice and service rather than sources of fear,” they said.

The bishops called for genuine dialogue as the way through the country’s tensions, and said what that should look like in practice.

“Where there are political, social or economic tensions, these must be addressed through honest conversation, listening, reconciliation and peaceful engagement rather than intimidation or violence,” the bishops said.

The pastoral letter was released two days after Archbishop Alick Banda was arrested and detained on Monday, a matter now before the courts.

In all, the letter covers political polarisation, the use of ethnic identity in politics, fear of speaking out, the treatment of independent media and civil society, the conduct of the 2026 General Elections, the harassment of opposition parties and the independence of public institutions. The common thread is a request that disagreements be settled through conversation and not confrontation, and that the dignity of every person be protected whatever their party, tribe or position.

The ZCCB’s appeal is addressed to the nation at large, and to political leaders and citizens in particular, to approach the country’s differences through dialogue rather than confrontation.

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