Tension is rising in Zambia as the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) locks horns with Western embassies ahead of the 2026 elections. The party has accused foreign diplomats of meddling in local politics, a move that underlines Zambia’s growing importance in the global rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
UPND spokesperson Mark Simuuwe claimed that Western envoys were secretly bankrolling private media outlets with as much as $1 million to discredit the government. He particularly called out US Ambassador Michael Gonzales, labelling his recent comments as “undiplomatic.” The accusations came shortly after the US Embassy issued a health alert in Kitwe over a toxic spill at Sino Metals, a Chinese-owned copper plant—an action Lusaka saw as politically motivated.
At the heart of the dispute is Zambia’s strategic role as a major supplier of copper and cobalt, both vital for clean energy. President Hakainde Hichilema has deepened ties with China, Zambia’s largest creditor, while also seeking Washington’s backing for debt restructuring. But UPND leaders argue that US criticism is less about democracy and more about countering Beijing’s influence.
The opposition Patriotic Front (PF), regrouping under the Tonse Alliance, has tried to leverage the rift. Recently, PF delegates met with US officials, accusing Hichilema of shrinking democratic freedoms. Youth leader Celestine Mambula Mukandila boasted that “Zambians still love the PF,” framing UPND as threatened by their return. Analysts, however, see this as a calculated bid to paint the ruling party as authoritarian while gaining international sympathy.
Still, domestic issues weigh heavily. Despite progress on debt relief, many Zambians continue to grapple with high living costs, unemployment, and slow reforms. Commentators warn that UPND risks repeating the mistakes of Kenneth Kaunda in 1991 and PF in 2021—ignoring public frustration until it sweeps them from power.
Hichilema has tried to showcase grassroots support, even hosting University of Zambia students at State House. But critics dismissed the gathering as political stage management. Civil society groups also caution that labelling diplomatic criticism as “interference” could backfire by discouraging investment and undermining press freedom.
Zambia’s story is not unique. Across Africa, governments from Zimbabwe to Uganda have clashed with Western diplomats during election seasons, accusing them of siding with the opposition. As 2026 draws closer, Zambia must balance defending its sovereignty with maintaining critical foreign ties—all while tackling local discontent. The way Lusaka navigates these pressures will determine not just the election outcome but also the country’s place in a world defined by great-power rivalry.
