Zambia's 2026 Election Heats Up: Candidates Grilled on Barotseland & Vetting Challenges

The unresolved issues surrounding the unilateral abrogation of the Barotse Agreement of 1964 remain a highly sensitive topic in Zambian politics, particularly as the country approaches the 2026 General Election. Speaking in an interview, Harrington emphasized the electorate in Barotseland's right to honesty and clarity from presidential candidates regarding this historical grievance. He noted a recurring pattern of politicians making campaign promises only to abandon them once in office, leading to a profound sense of betrayal among many Barotse nationals.

This sentiment of betrayal, Harrington highlighted, dates back to Zambia’s First Republican President, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda. After signing the Barotse Agreement of 1964 with the Litunga, King of Barotseland, Sir Mwanawina III, Kaunda later unilaterally abrogated and 'trashed' the agreement. Consequently, the region was renamed Western Province without consulting the other party to the agreement. Harrington stressed the importance for all presidential aspirants to thoroughly read, study, and understand the Barotse National Council Resolutions of 2012 before offering assurances they might not fulfill, warning against simplistic solutions like mere name changes, which have been previously promised.

Harrington underscored that the Barotseland issue necessitates a serious, peaceful, and sustainable resolution that addresses the people's underlying concerns and fosters national unity through dialogue and mutual respect. He strongly cautioned against the use of force or 'high-handed and oppressive tactics' that have led to violence, injuries, and deaths in the past, asserting that such methods are not a viable solution to the impasse. His remarks are poised to reignite national debate, prompting presidential hopefuls to articulate concrete and realistic positions on how they intend to resolve the Barotseland impasse.

Meanwhile, the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance, with Brian Mundubile as its presidential candidate and Makebi Zulu as his running mate for the 2026 Polls, is grappling with significant challenges. The alliance, initially formed with considerable hype and the expectation of attracting substantial funding, is now facing the harsh reality of being in opposition, discovering that resources are difficult to source. Their hopes for funding from Kenyan opposition leaders were dashed after Mundubile was reportedly detained and searched at an airport in Kenya, accused of soliciting funds and promising mining rights in exchange.

This incident has limited the alliance to sporadic funding from other sources, as potential benefactors perceive them as a risky investment with no immediate guarantee of return. Even figures like Ghulam Patel are reportedly skeptical, classifying the duo as a 'long-term project' and a potential waste of resources. The absence of sufficient funding has unsettled the alliance's national leadership, who are reportedly withholding the truth from their membership across the country as mobilization and campaign efforts have been severely hampered.

To mitigate the disappointment arising from their lack of visibility on the ground, the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance has allegedly resorted to propagating claims of a shrinking democratic space in the country, citing restrictions on campaign rallies. Well-meaning Zambians are urged to be alert to such 'false narratives' as this strategy is expected to continue. Both the enduring Barotseland question and the struggles of new political alliances highlight the complex and often challenging landscape of Zambian politics ahead of the crucial 2026 General Election.