Zambia's opposition struggles for unity as Brian Mundubile leads 2026 campaign

Zambia's opposition is facing a significant challenge as it prepares for the 2026 general election without the late Edgar Lungu, a former president whose leadership had unified key opposition parties. Lungu passed away on June 5, 2025, in South Africa, leaving a void in the political landscape that has forced rival factions to vie for his legacy and the support of his followers.

The absence of Lungu has led to a scramble among opposition parties to determine who will carry his political mantle. Lungu previously led the Patriotic Front (PF), which has since been rebranded as part of the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance. Initially, Lungu was poised to be the coalition's candidate for the upcoming election, but his untimely death left unresolved questions about leadership. Political analyst Neo Simutanyi noted that while Lungu intended to endorse a successor, he never had the chance to announce that person, creating uncertainty within the alliance.

In the wake of Lungu's death, Brian Mundubile has been endorsed as the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance's presidential candidate. Mundubile is closely associated with Lungu's legacy, having been an ally in the PF, and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, was Lungu's lawyer. Despite the rebranding, Simutanyi argues that Lungu's influence continues to shape the campaign, as many candidates seek to connect with voters through their ties to him. The Copperbelt region, a crucial electoral battleground, remains a focal point for this dynamic, where Lungu's absence is felt acutely.

While many in the opposition see Lungu's legacy as critical to their electoral strategy, some voters express a desire for a shift in focus. Richard Mwamba, a resident of the Copperbelt, emphasized that the upcoming election should prioritize issues like job creation and the cost of living over personalities. This sentiment suggests that while Lungu's influence lingers, the electorate may be more concerned with tangible improvements in their daily lives than with political succession alone. The outcome of the 2026 election may ultimately hinge on whether the opposition can effectively address these pressing concerns while navigating the legacy left by its former leader.