Rhoma Foreign Relations Institute

02/08/2026

Members of the diplomatic Corps from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Beijing, China, sign the book of condolences in remembrance of H.E. Ambassador Ivan Zyuulu, who died in Lusaka, Zambia, on the 30th of July, 2026, after a short illness.

Ambassador Zyuulu played a key part in deepening the relationship between Zambia and China, working to strengthen diplomatic ties and economic cooperation at a time of growing engagement on trade, investment, and infrastructure

Until the time of his passing, Ambassador Zyuulu served as Zambia’s envoy to the People's Republic of China, with extra accreditation to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mongolia, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Ambassador Zyuulu will be remembered in the diplomatic community for his wisdom, professionalism, and warmth.

31/07/2026

May His Soul Rest in Peace

31/07/2026

Mazoka, Baumann Discuss Enhanced Zambia–Commonwealth Collaboration

The Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General for Corporate Affairs, Ms Tania Baumann, on Thursday morning, paid a courtesy call on Her Excellency the High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia to the United Kingdom, Ms Macenje Mazoka, at Zambia House in London.

The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between Zambia, member states and the Commonwealth across priority areas, including governance, trade and investment, youth skills development, education, and sport.

Discussions also revisited Zambia’s historic role in hosting the Commonwealth Youth Centre of Excellence for over four decades.

The Government of Zambia is now exploring the possibility of reviving the Centre as a regional hub for entrepreneurship incubation, innovation, capacity building, skills development, research, and enhanced cooperation among Commonwealth Member States.

Her Excellency the High Commissioner and the Deputy Secretary-General reaffirmed the importance of sustained engagement and strategic partnership in advancing shared development priorities, fostering inclusive growth, and creating opportunities that benefit the people of Zambia and the wider Commonwealth community.

28/07/2026

"The UN Charter remains humanity’s best hope for peace.

But it is only as strong as the commitment of those responsible for upholding it.

The Members of this Council must lead by example."

- United Nations Secretary General addressing the UN Security Council

28/07/2026

19/07/2026

Ex-Senegalese President Macky Sall has intensified his push for the United Nations Secretary-General post, holding meetings with leaders across the region to build backing.

In Banjul, he asked Gambian President Adama Barrow to endorse his candidacy, highlighting Africa’s contribution to global peace, human rights, and long-term development.

The trip came after key discussions in Dakar with Senegal’s current President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, reflecting Sall’s wider diplomatic drive to win both continental and international support ahead of the UN leadership race.

19/07/2026

Namibian🇳🇦 President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah arrived in Pretoria to co-chair the fourth Namibia–South Africa Bi-National Commission Summit with President Cyril Ramaphosa. The leaders are expected to review bilateral commitments and deepen cooperation on regional integration, economic development and sustainable growth.

19/07/2026

19/07/2026

Zambia's Peaceful Election Campaigns

By Lengwe Cornelious Bwalya

As the August 13,2026 General Election gets closer with just under 30 days to go, the election mood in the Zambia has never been this sober. Some opposition political players and analysts have viewed this year's elections peaceful mood with disparaging skepticism.

One school of thought in particular is the opposition political parties that argue that there is hunger in the country and the government has failed to deliver hence the quiet political campaign. Whether that explanation makes sense or not, this is the "popular" notion been driven by the opposition especially the Mundubile/Makebi led coalition.

On the other hand, the school of thought of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has attributed the peaceful election campaign to the deliberate and systematic suppression of political violence by President Hakainde Hichilema's policy directive.

Whichever political side of the aisle you seat on, truth be told this is one of the most peaceful elections campaign periods the country has experienced post independence in Zambia. While there has been an extremely low pockets of reported incidents of violence, nothing can be compared to the previous elections held in Zambia.

It is fair to say that political will at the highest levels of government have been instrumental in ensuring that the people of Zambia feel safe enough not only to campaign for their candidates freely without any intimidation but can equally go to vote without fear of repercussions from anyone.

The Presidential campaign calendar initiative by the Electoral Commission of Zambia has equally played significant role in helping shape this year's peaceful elections. This has made it possible for the different political parties to hold political party rallies in different locations at the same time. Hence creating a rather narrow opportunity for political parties clashing violently.

In sum it is fair to say that Zambia's electoral democratic credentials remain intact and poised to once again hold fast to its reputation as one of the peaceful nations in the region.

About the Author:

Lengwe Cornelius Bwalya is an International Relations and Security expert, a career diplomat and a seasoned political analyst

13/07/2026

𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐂 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐢 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬, 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Senior Officials from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are meeting in Salima, Republic of Malawi, ahead of the 28th Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO) on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, scheduled for 16–17 July 2026.

The meeting has brought together senior government and security officials from ministries responsible for foreign affairs and defence from across SADC Member States to review key regional peace and security issues and finalise recommendations and strategic priorities for consideration by Ministers.

Opening the meeting, Mr Chauncy M.K. Simwaka, Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Malawi and Chairperson of the Senior Officials of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO), described the gathering as a critical stage in the Organ’s decision-making process and an important platform for advancing regional peace and security.

“This meeting represents an important milestone in the decision-making process of the Organ. It provides us with an opportunity to consolidate and refine the recommendations emerging from the various sectoral meetings of the Organ before they are submitted to the Ministerial Committee of the Organ for consideration,” said Mr Simwaka.

He expressed confidence that the deliberations would be guided by the spirit of cooperation, consensus and mutual respect that has long characterised the work of the Organ.
Mr Simwaka highlighted the important role of Senior Officials in shaping the region’s peace and security agenda and providing strategic guidance to the Ministerial Committee.

“As Senior Officials, you play a critical role in shaping the direction of our regional agenda and providing strategic direction to the Ministerial Committee. I therefore encourage you to engage in constructive and forward-looking deliberations, guided by the principles of solidarity, mutual respect, consensus and our shared commitment,” he said.

The meeting is expected to consider a range of issues relating to regional peace, security and stability, in line with the mandate of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, which serves as a key mechanism for promoting peace, political cooperation and collective security in the region.

Also addressing the meeting, Professor Kula Ishmael Theletsane, Director of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Affairs at the SADC Secretariat, called on Member States to deepen cooperation and strengthen collective responses to emerging and evolving security challenges facing the region.

The Zambian delegation lead and represented at the meeting by Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security Permanent Secretary Mr. Dickson Matembo who is accompanied by other senior security services personnel