The European Union has proposed backing a domestically driven dialogue and reconciliation effort in Zambia, a suggestion put forward during an extraordinary partnership dialogue in Lusaka. According to The Lusaka Times, the meeting was requested by the Zambian government to address challenges arising from the general elections held in August and a recent European Parliament resolution on the electoral process. The discussions took place at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, involving senior officials from both sides.
Francesca Di Mauro, the European External Action Service Director for Africa, stated that the EU would assist the process only on terms set by Zambia’s own institutions. She emphasized that the bloc remains concerned about access to justice, transparency, and civic space. Di Mauro noted that while no democracy is perfect, electoral grievances should be settled through fair and impartial judicial processes that respect constitutional rights. The EU also stood by its Election Observation Mission, which delivered an independent assessment of the electoral process with recommendations for future improvements.
In response, Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe said the government valued the mission’s findings but preferred a formal opportunity to review them before public release. He argued that such a setup would have fostered constructive interaction and ensured that the government’s perspectives were considered in assessing the electoral environment. Haimbe added that the government was ready to engage in good faith, guided by the Constitution and national laws, to implement the recommendations.
Beyond electoral governance, the dialogue addressed broader strategic partnerships. Haimbe highlighted the EU’s role in advancing the Grow Zambia Agenda, citing potential collaboration in mining, agriculture, energy, and infrastructure. He noted that the government aims to mobilize investment and improve market access for Zambian products in line with the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy. Di Mauro congratulated President Hakainde Hichilema on his re-election and noted that the EU’s relationship with Zambia spans more than 50 years, anchored in democracy and rule of law.
The Lusaka Times reported that Team Europe invests more than €200 million in Zambia annually, with over €650 million in grants provided between 2021 and 2027. The reconciliation proposal now lies with the Zambian government, which has pledged to keep working on the mission’s suggestions within its constitutional framework.