AN INJUSTICE UNDER UNIFORM: WHY THE ZAMBIA ARMY MUST ANSWER FOR THE 2026 ELECTION VIOLENCE – Fred M’membe

The aftermath of Zambia's fiercely contested August 13, 2026, general elections has plunged the nation into a constitutional and moral crisis, catalysed by severe allegations levelled against the nation’s armed forces. In a scathing critique penned by Socialist Party leader Dr. Fred M'membe, the Zambia Army has been called to account for what is described as an unprecedented and alarming overreach into civilian electoral processes. Citing Article 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia, critics and civil society actors have underscored that the military's primary mandate remains the defence of territorial integrity and constitutional order, rather than acting as a partisan instrument of intimidation. The flashpoints of the 2026 electoral cycle have severely tested Zambia's long-standing reputation as a beacon of democratic stability in Southern Africa. Reports detailing elite military commandos entering civilian polling spaces, threatening electoral personnel, and actively obstructing opposition representatives at key aggregation points like the Mulungushi International Conference Centre have sent shockwaves through the political landscape. Most damning, however, are the violent confrontations in Lusaka's Kabulonga residential area, which culminated in the tragic death of prominent political figure and former Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya. The deployment of heavily armed units into civilian neighborhoods has shattered public trust, leaving citizens questioning the boundary between national security and political coercion. Under the current command structure, critics argue that the military's visible presence transformed from a putative deterrent against civil unrest into a source of palpable fear for ordinary voters and electoral officials alike. Observers note that while executive authorities have historically invoked military deployment to maintain law and order during tense electoral windows, the scale and tactical nature of the 2026 interventions crossed a