At the Charter House in Lusaka, Advocate Notemba Tjipueja of Namibia and Judge Fauz Abdallah Twaib of Tanzania, both Members of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC), paid a courtesy call on Ms. Etambuyu Anamela Gundersen, Permanent Secretary for International Relations and Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The visit marked the official start of SEAC’s post-election review in Zambia. The Council is in the country to assess the implementation of recommendations from past SADC Electoral Observation Missions (SEOM) and evaluate Zambia’s electoral processes.
During the meeting, Ms. Gundersen expressed her appreciation to SEAC for undertaking the mission, emphasizing the importance of their review in strengthening democratic practices. She noted that the outcomes of consultations with key electoral stakeholders would provide valuable guidance for improving future elections. The Permanent Secretary highlighted that Zambia remains committed to upholding transparent, credible, and inclusive electoral processes. She also stressed the importance of regional cooperation and support in advancing democratic governance across Southern Africa.
SEAC’s review aims to identify progress made in implementing previous recommendations, highlight areas for improvement, and ensure that lessons from past elections inform policy and electoral reforms. The mission will engage with government institutions, political parties, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders. By fostering dialogue and assessing compliance with regional electoral standards, SEAC seeks to contribute to a credible and accountable electoral framework in Zambia.
The Council’s presence in Zambia underscores the Southern African Development Community’s commitment to democratic consolidation and good governance. The post-election review is expected to strengthen institutional capacity, promote transparency, and enhance public confidence in electoral processes. SEAC’s findings will be submitted to the SADC Secretariat, serving as a reference for future electoral assistance and advisory missions.
Through this initiative, Zambia continues to demonstrate its commitment to democracy and regional cooperation. The engagement with SEAC Members provides an opportunity to benchmark progress, address challenges, and ensure that the country’s electoral system aligns with best practices in the SADC region. Strengthening democracy remains central to Zambia’s development agenda and to fostering stability and accountability in the region.