REJECT WHOEVER MAKES TRIBAL APPEALS — Catholic Bishops
By Best Jere
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has urged citizens to reject whoever makes tribal or regional appeals, saying Zambia’s diversity should be a source of unity rather than division.
In a pastoral statement dated July 16th 2026 ahead of the August 13th 2026 General Election, the bishops says the country’s diversity of tribes, regions and languages is a gift from God to be treasured, not a weapon to be wielded.
The Church says it rejects, without qualification, every attempt by political actors to divide citizens along tribal or regional lines and called on every citizen to reject such appeals as well as those who make them.
The ZCCB has urged voters to assess candidates based on their commitment to the common good of the whole nation rather than personal, family or factional interests.
The bishops says citizens should consider candidates’ records on justice for the poor and vulnerable, including the unemployed, the indebted and those struggling with the rising cost of living
The Church has further encouraged voters to consider candidates’ respect for human life, family values, freedom of worship and conscience, as well as their ability to foster unity and govern responsibly.
The bishops says that where clear differences exist between candidates, conscience requires citizens to choose the common good over bribery, personal gain, convenience, kinship or ethnicity.
The statement was signed by Most Rev. Ignatius Chama Archbishop of Kasama & ZCCB President, Most Rev. Dr. Alick Banda Archbishop of Lusaka, Rt. Rev. George Lungu Bishop of Chipata, Rt. Rev. Clement Mulenga, SDB Bishop of Kabwe, Rt. Rev. Valentine Kalumba, OMI Bishop of Livingstone, Rt. Rev. Raphael Mweempwa Bishop of Monze.
Other are Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde Bishop of Solwezi & ZCCB Vice President, Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Phiri Archbishop of Ndola, Rt. Rev. Evans C. Chinyemba, OMI Bishop of Mongu, Rt. Rev. Patrick Chisanga, OFM Conv. Bishop of Mansa, Rt. Rev. Edwin Mulandu Bishop of Mpika, Rt. Rev. Gabriel Msipu Phiri, Auxiliary Bishop of Chipata.
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