Recent actions by Zambian authorities, involving the cancellation of passports for six prominent figures on national security grounds, have sparked significant concerns among human rights advocates. Amnesty International has criticized these measures as an administrative tool utilized to stifle dissent and silence critics of the government. The six affected individuals include former ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba, academic Sishuwa Sishuwa, former lawmakers Binwell Mpundu and Emmanuel Jay Banda, former presidential aide Kaizer Zulu, and blogger Lillian Mutambo. The cancellations were enacted through Government Gazette Notice No. 1421 of 2026, and effectively invalidate the passports for travel and identification purposes.
The Zambian government has justified its actions by citing national security concerns, yet has refrained from providing detailed explanations or evidence to substantiate the claims against each individual. The decision has been accompanied by broader concerns regarding the suppression of political opposition in Zambia, particularly as documented during the 2026 elections. Instances of arrests, intimidation, and violence against opposition figures and activists have been noted, including the detention of opposition politician George Chisanga and the fatal shooting of former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya.
The legal framework underpinning these actions is outlined in Zambia’s Passports Act, which allows cancellations under specific conditions. These include grounds such as loss of citizenship, fraudulent activities, and certain criminal conduct. However, the Act mandates that the Chief Passport Officer must inform the affected individuals of the reasons for such actions within 14 days. The constitutionality of this executive discretion has been challenged in past court cases, such as Nyirongo v Attorney-General, where the Supreme Court emphasized the constitutional right to travel alongside lawful restrictions.
Amnesty International argues that the recent cancellations violate Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which upholds the right to leave any country, subject to lawfully imposed restrictions. The organization has urged Zambia to reverse the cancellations, reinstate the passports, and offer appropriate remedies to the affected individuals. This ongoing situation may lead to further legal challenges, as affected persons could pursue the matter in Zambian courts. These judicial proceedings may compel authorities to present a clear statutory basis for their actions and demonstrate compliance with constitutional requirements concerning national security.