ISTANBUL

Zambian Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe invited the EU on Wednesday to observe the country’s general elections in 2026.

Haimbe extended the invitation in a meeting with David McAllister, president of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee, on the sidelines of the third ministerial meeting of the EU and the African Union (AU) in Brussels, the Foreign Ministry wrote on X.

The two officials discussed Zambia’s “strengthening” ties with the EU, with a focus on democratic governance, electoral transparency and institutional cooperation.

Extending Zambia's gratitude to the EU for observing the 2021 general elections, Haimbe reaffirmed the government's commitment to democratic values, and underlined reforms like repealing the defamation of the president law to protect media freedom and civil liberties.

McAllister praised Zambia's democratic progress and “peaceful political environment,” reaffirming the EU's readiness to support Zambia and other “like-minded” nations dedicated to democracy and “good governance.”

The Southern African country set to hold general elections on Aug. 13, 2026, to elect a president, parliament members, councilors and council chairpersons.

Zambia has more than 7 million registered voters as of February, according to the country’s electoral commission.