Press freedom organizations have called on Zambian authorities and telecommunications providers to ensure free and open internet access before, during, and after the country's general election on August 13. The Committee to Protect Journalists, the #KeepItOn Coalition, and Amnesty International made the appeal to prevent a potential network shutdown or throttling of social platforms, which could compromise the credibility of the vote.
The importance of internet access during the election period cannot be overstated. A network shutdown or throttled service would not only prevent journalists from filing reports but also stop citizens from verifying information, creating an environment in which rumors can spread quickly. This risk is not hypothetical, as election-period shutdowns have become a recurring tactic in the region.
The #KeepItOn Coalition, an international grouping of civil-society organizations, campaigns against internet shutdowns, particularly around elections. The coalition targets both governments and telecommunications operators who would have to carry out any restriction. In the case of Zambia, the coalition asked for commitments to maintain open internet access before, during, and after the vote.
Amnesty International also called for the release of MacPherson Mukuka, a journalist at the state broadcaster, who was detained and charged over social-media posts. The charges relate to Section 10 of Zambia's 2025 Cyber Crimes Act, which prohibits recording a private conversation without prior notice and posting it on social media.
The case of MacPherson Mukuka is significant, as it tests how a new cyber-crimes statute operates during an election. A law written to address privacy and online harm can, depending on how it is applied, also reach reporting that embarrasses officials. Amnesty International's Regional Director, Tigere Chagutah, responded to the charges on behalf of the group.
International attention has been focused on Zambia's general election, with four United States senators – Jeanne Shaheen, Cory Booker, Jeff Merkley, and Chris Van Hollen – issuing a statement calling for peaceful and fair elections. Zambia has long traded on a reputation as one of Africa's more stable democracies, and the attention reflects how closely the conduct of this vote is being read.
The immediate test is the period between the close of polls and the declaration of the presidential result – the window in which shutdowns have historically occurred elsewhere on the continent. The key points to watch are whether connectivity holds, whether Mukuka is released, and whether operators make any public statement about instructions received.
Key points
- Press freedom groups urge Zambia to maintain internet access during general election
- Amnesty International calls for release of detained journalist MacPherson Mukuka
- International attention focused on Zambia's general election, with US senators calling for peaceful and fair elections
