HON. MWIIMBU SCHOOLS UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON ZAMBIA’S SOVEREIGNTY

The United Party for National Development (UPND) administration has firmly pushed back against recent international scrutiny regarding the country's governance and judicial trajectory. Speaking in Lusaka, UPND Chairperson for Legal and Constitutional Affairs Jack Mwiimbu delivered a robust response to United Nations Special Rapporteur Gina Romero, whose recent findings suggested a deterioration in Zambia's democratic space and raised concerns over post-election arrests. Mr. Mwiimbu asserted that Zambia remains an uncompromised sovereign state where the rule of law reigns supreme, warning against the potential misuse of international mechanisms to project partisan narratives. The controversy stems from observations made by the UN Special Rapporteur concerning freedom of peaceful assembly, association, and the handling of high-profile legal matters, including treason cases involving opposition figures. However, the Zambian government has maintained that these judicial steps are entirely legitimate. Mr. Mwiimbu emphasized that law enforcement agencies and the judiciary operate independently under constitutional mandates to protect national security and public order, dismissing claims that prosecutions are politically orchestrated. Highlighting regional backing, the ruling party pointed to assessments by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which characterised Zambia's post-election environment as peaceful and progressive compared to prior electoral cycles. Broader government responses have similarly questioned the methodology and factual grounding of external human rights reports, noting that international bodies must respect diplomatic boundaries and the principle of non-interference outlined in the UN Charter. In response to what it perceives as overreach, the ruling party announced intentions to petition the UN Special Procedures Coordinating Committee to review the Rapporteur's conduct. Furthermore, Lusaka plans to engage UN Resident Coordinator Be