Election eve in New York: Zambia sells its rule-of-law record to the UN — and lobbies for a rights council seat

On the eve of the vote, Zambia made its case. Justice permanent secretary Mwenya Kaela Bwalya delivered the country's statement to the Sixth Committee of the 81st UN General Assembly on Friday, under agenda item 84 on the rule of law at national and international levels, telling delegates the rule of law remains the bedrock of multilateral cooperation, peace and sustainable development. She welcomed the secretary-general's report on strengthening and coordinating UN rule-of-law activities and the work of the International Law Commission, and said the international rule of law requires the greater inclusion of developing states in treaty-making.

The statement, issued through the Permanent Mission of Zambia to the United Nations, listed the reforms the Government wants the world to weigh: recent appointments of judges to superior courts, the construction of nine new courts, modifications to court infrastructure to improve accessibility, specialised bodies such as the Financial Crimes Court and the Economic and Financial Crimes Division, expanded Legal Aid Board offices and a computerised case-flow management system. Bwalya said the measures aim to turn equality before the law from an aspirational principle into a tangible right, to expedite justice for marginalised communities and to enhance judicial accountability — and that Zambia is aligning the reforms with the Grow Zambia agenda under the Eighth National Development Plan.

On the sidelines, Bwalya held bilateral meetings lobbying for Zambia's bid for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council for the 2027–2029 term, with elections scheduled for Tuesday 13 October at UN headquarters. The vote lands on the same day a Solwezi magistrate rules on jurisdiction in the sedition case against two detained opposition figures — a coincidence the Government's critics will not miss. As this newspaper reported on Saturday, UN special rapporteurs have raised concerns about the treason and sedition charges; the Government has answered that the matters are before the courts. Tuesday tests how the membership weighs the pitch against the headlines.

Sources: Mwebantu, “Zambia reaffirms commitment to rule of law at UN” (10 Oct 2026); Permanent Mission of Zambia to the UN, “Zambia reaffirms rule of law at UNGA Sixth Committee” (11 Oct 2026).