For the attention of President Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia
CC: Eng. Collins Mbulo, Director General of the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA); Eng. Dr. Brilliant Haabenzu, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Technology and Science; Mrs Mwenya Kaela Bwalya (Legal), Permanent Secretary Secretary Ministry of Justice; Dr. Pamela Towela Sambo, Chairperson, Zambia Human Rights Commission; Webster Malido, Director General, Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA); Mulilo Dimas Kabesha, SC, Attorney General of Zambia; Friday Musiyalike Nyambe, Zambia Security Intelligence Services; Graphel Musamba, Inspector General of Police; Schmidt Chintu, Director General Zambia Cyber Security Agency; Abbad Reda, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Zambia; Hussam Baday, Managing Director of Airtel Zambia; Jason Mwanza, Chief Executive Officer, Zamtel; Leah Nakazwe Kooma, Chief Executive Officer, Liquid Intelligent Technologies; Marius Van Vuuren, Country Manager, Paratus.
Around the world, governments deploy internet shutdowns to interfere with election outcomes and undermine democratic participation. This practice harms human rights — we cannot allow it to become normalized. Ahead of the upcoming general elections, we urge the Republic of Zambia to #KeepItOn.
We, the undersigned organizations and members of the
#KeepItOn coalition
— a global network of over 370 organizations from 106 countries working to end internet shutdowns —
appeal to you, President Hakainde Hichilema, to ensure that people in Zambia have unfettered access to the internet, digital platforms, and all other communication channels throughout the upcoming elections on August 13, 2026.
The #KeepItOn coalition welcomes the Ministry of Technology and Science’s
commitment
to not shut down the internet during the general election and urges your office to issue a directive to the relevant institutions, including the ZICTA, the Ministry of Technology and Sci
