Fred M’membe has pushed back against recent public appeals by Brian Mundubile for opposition parties to unite ahead of Zambia’s August 13 general elections, arguing that meaningful political alliances cannot be built through media statements and public pressure.
The Socialist Party leader said genuine coalition-building requires serious dialogue, mutual respect and carefully structured engagement among political players rather than public invitations that place parties in uncomfortable positions before supporters and the nation.
Dr M’membe revealed that he has already been engaging several opposition leaders privately, maintaining that successful cooperation depends on shared objectives, trust and honest negotiations behind closed doors.
Responding directly to the public appeal, Dr M’membe described the approach as disrespectful, insisting that sensitive political discussions should not be handled through the media.
The exchange has once again exposed growing fractures within Zambia’s opposition camp at a time when pressure is mounting for political parties to form a united front against the ruling UPND ahead of the 2026 elections.
In recent months, opposition leaders have increasingly spoken about the need for cooperation to avoid splitting votes. However, disagreements over leadership, political direction and campaign strategy continue to emerge publicly, raising questions about whether a broad opposition alliance is realistically achievable.
Political analysts warn that failure by opposition parties to coordinate effectively could ultimately strengthen the ruling party’s electoral advantage, particularly in regions where public frustration with government policies is growing.
Despite rejecting the public invitation, Dr M’membe emphasized that the Socialist Party remains open to dialogue, but stressed that alliances must be founded on ideology, governance principles and formal agreements rather than temporary election arrangements driven purely by political convenience.
The debate comes amid increasing national discussion over opposition fragmentation and uncertainty surrounding alternative leadership ahead of the polls.
Robert Sichinga recently argued that many citizens dissatisfied with the UPND government are still uncertain about who should emerge as the strongest alternative to President Hakainde Hichilema.
Meanwhile, political commentator Mulenga Kapwepwe cautioned that continued divisions among opposition groups could create confusion and instability during the election period if coordination efforts fail.
At the same time, Wynter Kabimba has urged political parties to avoid dragging institutions such as the Electoral Commission of Zambia into internal disputes, saying leadership disagreements should instead be resolved through party constitutions and the courts.
The political tensions are unfolding alongside growing concerns over campaign mobilisation, rising nomination fees and broader election preparedness ahead of the high-stakes vote.
Governance activist Rueben Lifuka has also called for fair campaign conditions for all political players, warning that the credibility of the election process depends not only on voting day procedures but also on equal treatment throughout the campaign season.
For now, Zambia’s opposition parties appear more united in criticizing the government than in agreeing on a shared political vision or leadership structure.
The latest disagreement between Dr M’membe and Mr Mundubile highlights just how fragile opposition coalition efforts remain as the country moves closer to a fiercely contested election season.
Editor’s Note:
The bigger challenge for Zambia’s opposition may no longer be whether unity is necessary, but whether rival parties can agree on leadership, compromise political ambitions and define the kind of alliance they truly want to build before the election momentum becomes irreversible.
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