Trending 
Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema issued a strong warning against politically motivated violence and “thuggery” following a recent stone-pelting incident at a rally, which he blamed on the opposition.
The presidential address comes days before a planned protest against controversial constitutional amendments ahead of the August 2026 general election.
Hichilema, who seeks a second term, asserted that the law would be strictly enforced against anyone attempting to cause unrest or fragment the unitary state.
Tensions across the nation have been rising amid clashes between supporters of Hichilema’s centrist UPND and the opposition PF, highlighted by the storming of the PF headquarters.
The primary source of contention is a proposed amendment to increase the number of constituencies from 156 to 211.
Critics view this as an attempt by the president to manipulate boundaries to secure parliamentary victories, while the administration claims the change is necessary to manage oversized constituencies.
Church and civil society groups are scheduled to protest the timing of these amendments.
Additionally, a dispute over the burial arrangements for deceased former president Edgar Lungu has further amplified the country’s political polarisation.
