Tonse Alliance Launch Cancellation Casts Doubt on Hichilema’s Commitment to Multiparty Democracy

The Tonse Alliance launch has suffered a major blow following demands by the owners of the venue for a Permit that the Zambia Police Service is believed to have been ordered not to issue.

Lusaka, Nov. 07 – KBN TV has reported a significant setback for the Tonse Alliance, whose scheduled public launch was abruptly cancelled this morning. According to sources, Melsim Lodge revoked the Alliance’s booking, citing that Spokesperson Mr. Sean Tembo had indicated the event would be limited to media interviews rather than a formal launch.

Also Read: From pre-election campaign lies to killing multiparty democracy, do Zambians deserve Hakainde Hichilema? Truth will never shine from a heart filled with corruption and lies. Zambians, however, are now politically awake and won’t be deceived in the manner they were waylaid with his Bally Will Fix It political rhetoric come 2026.

Mr. Tembo, however, has since insisted that the launch would still proceed at the lodge. Yet, Melsim Lodge management later clarified to KBN TV that they would require the Alliance to produce a police permit to proceed with the event. Originally, the Tonse Alliance’s launch was planned for Mikango Golfview Hotel on Great East Road, but the venue was changed without explanation.

This incident highlights an unsettling trend in which the Zambia Police, who recently provided security for a government-backed gathering led by Miles Sampa’s Patriotic Front faction, have now effectively obstructed the Tonse Alliance’s launch. This selective enforcement has become emblematic of President Hichilema’s administration, which, despite its promises of democratic reform, increasingly appears to prioritize only gatherings that align with its own interests.

Such inconsistency calls into question the very integrity of Zambia’s multiparty democracy. Zambians are left to wonder whether the democratic freedoms they once championed are genuinely safeguarded or merely manipulated to sustain a controlled opposition landscape. If political assembly and participation are privileges reserved solely for government-aligned groups, then Zambia’s multiparty democracy risks becoming a mere illusion.

By allowing the Zambia Police to apply rights selectively, denying opposition groups the fundamental freedom to organize, Hichilema’s administration undermines the nation’s democratic foundation. This pattern reveals a systematic attempt to weaken legitimate opposition voices, while promoting a pliant version of “democracy” that serves only those in power.

Also Read: FPAZ Expresses Concern Over Growing Intimidation in Zambia’s Democratic Space! A vibrant democracy thrives on diverse opinions and merit-based debate, and suppressing dissent will only hinder the innovative solutions Zambia needs for economic recovery and national development.

In taking this path, Hichilema’s government risks embodying the very authoritarian tendencies it once opposed. These actions betray the democratic ideals Zambia stands for, fostering an environment where dissent is stifled, critics are silenced, and the nation’s cherished principles are sidelined.

About Our Advocacy: Woodpecker’s Digest provides in-depth analyses and commentary on issues of national importance, alongside articles on personal development and health. We believe journalism can be a force for socio-economic change.