Angola wishes Zambia, free, fair peaceful polls

By BARNABAS ZULU

THE Angolan government has wished Zambia peaceful, free and fair general elections scheduled for 13 August 2026 and has described the upcoming polls as an important milestone in strengthening democracy within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

This was contained in a joint press release issued at the end of the 34th Session of the Angola–Zambia Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security, which was held in Luanda, Angola, from 1 to 5 May 2026.

The Angolan government said it looked forward to Zambia conducting successful elections that will further consolidate democratic governance in the region.

“The Republic of Angola has wished the Government and people of Zambia peaceful, free and fair general elections which have been scheduled for 13th August, 2026,” the statement said.

The two countries also expressed satisfaction with the state of relations between them, noting that peace and stability have continued to prevail, especially along their shared border.

They further acknowledged, however, that challenges remain in the form of cross-border and transnational crimes, including illegal migration, smuggling, livestock theft, poaching, illegal fishing, drug trafficking and the trafficking of small arms.

Both sides also raised concern over emerging security threats such as cybercrime and climate change-related disasters, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in addressing these issues.

The Commission also reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to contributing to peace and security efforts in Africa through participation in United Nations, SADC and African Union peace support operations.

On regional peace efforts, Angola and Zambia welcomed progress made in restoring stability in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly following the signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity in June 2025.

The press release was jointly signed by Angola’s Minister of National Defence, Former Combatants and Veterans of the Fatherland, General Lucio GoncalvesAmaral, and Zambia’s Minister of Defence, Ambrose Lwiji Lufuma.