For the attention of President Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia
CC: Eng. Collins Mbulo, Director General of the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA); Eng. Dr. Brilliant Haabenzu, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Technology and Science; Mrs Mwenya Kaela Bwalya (Legal), Permanent Secretary Secretary Ministry of Justice; Dr. Pamela Towela Sambo, Chairperson, Zambia Human Rights Commission; Webster Malido, Director General, Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA); Mulilo Dimas Kabesha, SC, Attorney General of Zambia; Friday Musiyalike Nyambe, Zambia Security Intelligence Services; Graphel Musamba, Inspector General of Police; Schmidt Chintu, Director General Zambia Cyber Security Agency; Abbad Reda, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Zambia; Hussam Baday, Managing Director of Airtel Zambia; Jason Mwanza, Chief Executive Officer, Zamtel; Leah Nakazwe Kooma, Chief Executive Officer, Liquid Intelligent Technologies; Marius Van Vuuren, Country Manager, Paratus.
Around the world, governments deploy internet shutdowns to interfere with election outcomes and undermine democratic participation. This practice harms human rights — we cannot allow it to become normalized. Ahead of the upcoming general elections, we urge the Republic of Zambia to #KeepItOn.
We, the undersigned organizations and members of the
#KeepItOn coalition
— a global network of over 370 organizations from 106 countries working to end internet shutdowns —
appeal to you, President Hakainde Hichilema, to ensure that people in Zambia have unfettered access to the internet, digital platforms, and all other communication channels throughout the upcoming elections on August 13, 2026.
The #KeepItOn coalition welcomes the Ministry of Technology and Science’s
commitment
to not shut down the internet during the general election and urges your office to issue a directive to the relevant institutions, including the ZICTA, the Ministry of Technology and Science, and all internet service providers (ISPs) operating in the country, to refrain from disrupting access to the internet and digital platforms and to ensure unrestricted access during the electoral cycle and beyond. We further note the government’s statement that it was unable to establish the cause of the 2021 internet shutdown, and urge authorities to continue a transparent investigation into that disruption.
As the people of Zambia prepare to vote, we underscore the critical importance of access to information, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. These rights are essential to inclusive participation and a cornerstone of free, fair, and credible elections. During elections, the free flow of information is also a lifeline that must be protected to allow scrutiny of the entire process. The internet and digital communication platforms have given people
unprecedented access
to election information and enabled them to express their opinions, interact with candidates, and actively participate in electoral campaigns. Journalists, human rights defenders, and election observers also rely on the internet and digital platforms to carry out their critical role of monitoring, documenting, and reporting on election processes.
Zambia’s shrinking civic space
Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition have also noted with concern the enactment of the
Cybercrimes Act and Cybersecurity Act
, both of which have the potential to further restrict freedom of expression in the country. These laws come at a time when freedom of expression in Zambia is
under attack
, with journalists and members of the opposition facing arrest for publications and public utterances perceived to be critical of the government.
We commend the decision of the President
not to assent
to the
Public Gathering Bill, 2026
, after its enactment by Parliament The bill, as it is, stands to further restrict the freedom of association and assembly through vague and overbroad provisions. We reiterate the appeal of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Assembly and Association for your government to
ensure full protection
of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association throughout the electoral cycle.
Zambia’s history of internet shutdowns
Zambian authorities reportedly blocked access to social media platforms and messaging apps including WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram during the
August 12, 2021 elections
. The shutdown was …