UPND Spokesperson Tells UN To Stop Calling Treason Suspects Political Detainees

United Party for National Development (UPND) spokesperson Mark Simuuwe has called on the United Nations to stop classifying individuals facing treason-related charges in Zambia as political detainees, arguing that the label misrepresents the nature of cases currently before Zambian courts.

Simuuwe’s remarks come after UN Special Rapporteur Gina Romero urged Zambian authorities to release political detainees and restore democratic accountability following the post-election period, part of a wider wave of international commentary on the arrests of senior opposition figures on treason charges.

Simuuwe argued that the UN Charter does not condone terrorism or insurgency, and said the UN should therefore be the first to encourage the arrest of anyone found to be engaged in insurgent activity rather than framing such arrests as political persecution.

He said Zambia, as a member state of the UN and a signatory to the Charter’s provisions on sovereignty and the fight against terrorism, expects the UN to respect both the country’s sovereignty and the credibility of its legal institutions in presiding over criminal matters relating to treason or insurrection.

“It is not the first time the Zambian courts are handling treason related matters,” Simuuwe said, pointing to the Captain Solo case under former President Frederick Chiluba, the Shamwana case, and the earlier Mushala matter as precedent for the courts’ role in handling such cases.

The UPND spokesperson also raised concern about reports that some opposition political parties in Zambia have sent members for military training in other countries, saying this is a matter the UN should be equally concerned about.

Simuuwe was critical of the UN’s broader record on the continent, saying the organisation has been ineffective in addressing political violence in several African states. He cited Sudan, where he said the UN had allowed the situation to deteriorate with limited intervention, and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where he said the UN had appeared more a spectator and media commentator than a body founded on universal human rights.

He said Zambia, by contrast, has extensive experience in peacekeeping and has often demonstrated some of the best peacekeeping practices internationally. Drawing on that experience, Simuuwe warned that other countries have descended into civil war after heeding calls from international bodies to release suspected terrorists framed as political detainees.

“Releasing such persons without trial is basically endorsing terrorism,” Simuuwe said.

He said the UN should not be seen to prioritise public relations messaging while armed civilians are alleged to be illegally acquiring military weapons in Zambia, and urged the organisation to centre its efforts on calling for trial as established by law, rather than release without trial.

Simuuwe commended members of Zambia’s security services for their handling of the post-election situation.