The abrupt closure of Zambian courts last week severely undermined fundamental human rights and restricted legal avenues for opposition parties contesting election results, according to Doreen Kabwe, Executive Director of the Centre for Interparty Dialogue in Zambia.

Speaking on the post-election crisis, Kabwe criticised judicial authorities for failing to provide formal notification regarding the shutdown, leaving political actors and the public to rely on unverified social media reports. She emphasised that shuttering the judiciary affected standard constitutional rights alongside pending election petitions.

“The challenge we noted was that probably we needed an official communication a day before or even on the actual day as to what exactly was happening,” Kabwe said. “We may not know if the reasons are founded or not because everything was left to social media. Closing the courts in that manner did not only affect the election petition, I mean, people have rights.”

The legal disruption comes as opposition leaders urge the African Union to intervene ahead of the scheduled inauguration of President-elect Hakainde Hichilema, warning that swearing in the incumbent will render any legal challenge to the disputed vote moot.

Tensions have escalated further following treason charges leveled against opposition leader Brian Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, who went into hiding after rejecting the election outcome.

–ChannelAfrica–