Zambia: Passports of six public figures revoked on national security grounds

Zambian authorities have revoked the passports of six public figures, including former parliamentarians, a former diplomat, and an academic, citing national security reasons. The decision, published on Friday, September 11, 2026, in the government gazette, takes effect immediately.

The list includes Emmanuel Mwamba, former ambassador of Zambia to Ethiopia and representative to the African Union, former MPs Emmanuel Jay Banda and Binwell Mpundu, former political advisor to the presidency Kaizer Zulu, academic Sishuwa Sishuwa, and blogger Lillian Mutambo.

Dickson Matembo, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, confirmed the measure on state television ZNBC. According to notice No. 1421 of 2026, the documents are no longer valid for travel, identification, or official procedures, and their use may constitute an offense.

The public notice cites national security without specifying the individual reasons for the revocation against each of the six individuals. Holders are required to surrender their passports to the Department of National Registration, Passports and Citizenship, immigration, or the police.

Several individuals targeted have been associated with the opposition or have criticized the government. The decision comes amid a climate of political tensions following the presidential election in August, marked by the arrests of opposition officials.

Amnesty International condemned the revocations on Friday, deeming them arbitrary, and called on authorities to return the documents. The organization argues that the measure infringes on the right to freedom of movement guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The notification instructs administrations, financial institutions, border services, and law enforcement agencies to no longer recognize the revoked documents. Anyone in possession of one of these passports must surrender it to the relevant authorities.