A written question submitted on Sept. 1 by a Liberal Democratic Party life peer in the Houses of Parliament in London asked about the detention of the former Anglican Bishop of Botswana in his native country, Zambia.
He is Bishop Trevor Mwamba, who leads a small opposition grouping, the United National Independence Party, which was long associated with the late President Kenneth Kaunda, leader of the successful anti-colonial struggle for Zambian freedom. Mwamba’s wife, Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, is a former Botswanan diplomat and a former Commonwealth deputy secretary-general.
The official answer from Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government on Sept. 15 stated: “Our High Commission in Lusaka has been closely following developments in Zambia through the electoral period and beyond, including recent detentions. We understand this case is currently under consideration by the Zambian courts. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has emphasized in its engagements with the Zambian government and other stakeholders the importance of transparency and following due process on all issues.”
Two days later, members of the European Parliament discussed human rights abuses in Cuba, Hong Kong and Zambia. In the case of the African country, which the EU regards as an ally and a beacon of stability, particular concern was expressed about the shooting death of former cabinet member and opposition politician Mutotwe Kafwaya on Aug. 14, a case that has been taken up by Amnesty International.
A profile article in Pan African Visions this past Saturday, Nov. 7, said, Bishop Mwamba’s “political journey took a dramatic turn” following the election that returned President Hakainde Hichilema to office. “Amid escalating tensions between the government and opposition groups,” the article said, “security forces conducted an operation at the Lusaka residence of opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile on Aug. 14.” Kafwaya was believed killed in the operation. Mundubile, Mwamba and 16 others who belong to a diverse electoral coalition opposed to President Hichilema, have been in detention since, accused of treason and plotting insurrection.
Bishop Trevor Mwamba.
Family members and other supporters of the detainees say accusations of their involvement in militia activity are nonsense. They point instead to reports like that of the 2026 World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index, which shows Zambia’s score continuing to trend downwards under the Hichilema administration. It’s currently ranked 108th out of 143 countries globally.
Kafwaya’s fate was unknown for five days after his death. Bishop Mwamba’s immediate family and his siblings — who include our longtime Irish Echo colleague, the author and journalist Jay Mwamba — had some stressful times following his Aug. 14 abduction. They announced on social media he was missing; 48 hours later they learned he was unharmed.
“United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk … expressed concern about arrests and detentions following the elections,” Pan African Visions reported, “while UN Special Rapporteur Gina Romero warned against restrictions on civic freedoms and the criminalization of political dissent.”
The members of the European Parliament, while noting the close relationship between the EU and Zambia, called for the authorities in that country “to establish independent and impartial investigations” of Kafwaya’s murder, as well as into “all allegations of illegal use of force, arbitrary arrests and intimidation in the country.” The European Parliament, the resolution said, “denounces the misuse of Zambia’s national security laws and criminal justice system and recall that security operations must be proportionate and in line with the rule of law.”
The resolution was adopted by 562 votes in favor, 1 against and 33 abstentions.
Then, last week came headlines such as “EU report flags Zambia's campaign inequalities, calls for urgent electoral reforms.”
The 100-observer team from 26 EU countries, Norway and Canada was headed by Irish MEP Michael McNamara. The team was in the country from June 29 through Sept. 1. While McNamara praised aspects of the basic machinery of the election, the Brussels Times reported, “He said late legal changes and unequal campaign conditions created uncertainty and ‘distorted the playing field,’ while a suspension of counting and the subsequent closure of courts limited transparency and access to justice.”
Michael McNamara MEP.
The Pan African Visions article said that the 68-year-old Bishop Mwamba’s arrest and continued detention “have prompted concern from religious leaders, international human rights organizations and political figures abroad. For a man who has consistently advocated peaceful engagement and national unity, the circumstances have brought renewed scrutiny to Zambia’s political climate and the treatment of opposition figures.
“In a political environment often characterized by fierce rivalries and confrontation,” continued Ajong Mbapndah L, the founder and managing editor of Pan African Visions, “[Mwamba] has built his public life around faith, compassion, dialogue and the conviction that politics should serve people rather than divide them. His affable personality, measured public interventions and preference for reconciliation have become defining features of a career spanning religion, diplomacy and politics.”
