ZAMBIA PUSHES BACK AGAINST EU PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION, CALLS FOR DIALOGUE

The Zambian Government has formally expressed its strong disapproval of the recent resolution adopted by the European Parliament concerning the country's post-election environment. Describing the European legislative body's stance as premature and ill-informed, Lusaka has maintained that international assessments of a sovereign state must be grounded in verified facts rather than rushed evaluations. The European Parliament's resolution, which passed overwhelmingly in Strasbourg, raised concerns regarding alleged post-electoral repression, arbitrary detentions, and the tragic death of former cabinet minister Mutotwe Kafwaya. Speaking on behalf of the administration, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe emphasized that the resolution was pushed through under an urgency procedure without prior bilateral consultation or waiting for the definitive final report from the European Union Election Observation Mission. Government officials argued that such actions risk undermining long-standing diplomatic ties and fail to recognize the complex realities on the ground following the August general elections. Furthermore, Lusaka stressed that domestic investigative procedures into the death of Mr. Kafwaya are already underway, overseen by competent national law enforcement agencies and monitored independently by the Human Rights Commission. In response to the diplomatic friction, the Zambian administration has taken a proactive approach by requesting the EU Delegation in Lusaka to facilitate formal partnership consultations. These proposed engagements aim to involve the European Commission and the European External Action Service in constructive dialogue. The Ministry intends to utilize these channels to provide comprehensive factual clarifications, correct misconceptions regarding the handling of security operations, and reaffirm the nation's commitment to constitutional order and judicial independence. Legal experts and political analys