Activista Zambia

We continue supporting our chapters in carrying out grassroots-based initiatives.

Activista Chipata has proactively been preparing activists and community leaders to play active roles in the electoral process. This week, Cde SG visited the chapter to support their ongoing work.

ELECTION BOOTCAMP 2.0!

Today in Chipata, we’re equipping our members and other community leaders with the tools and information they need for effective election monitoring.

These engagements are designed to protect democracy before, during, and after elections.

Let’s look back at Day 2 of the Capacity Building Training for 2026 Youth Candidates.
The day focused on preparing young aspiring candidates for real community leadership. It created space for practical learning on what it means to lead and serve.

Participants explored the role of a Councillor, strengthened their public speaking and campaign messaging skills, reflected on ethical leadership and accountability, and discussed how to use media and digital platforms effectively.

The day closed with each participant developing a personal candidate roadmap to guide their next steps.

Activista Zambia will continue to support Youth candidates across Zambia in their efforts to win the elections.

This training was Co-Implemented by Activista Zambia and Youth4Parliament, with support from ActionAid Zambia.

24/05/26– At Global Platform Zambia, Youth aspiring candidates from across Zambia gathered for Day 1 of the Capacity Building Training for 2026 Youth Candidates.

We unpacked critical issues shaping youth political participation in Zambia, including:
- Understanding civic rights and political participation.
- ⁠Naming and addressing the real barriers facing young people in politics.
- ⁠Exploring resource mobilisation and how to build support systems for effective campaigns.

This was a space of courage, reflection, challenge and strategy, for if politics is to truly reflect the people, then youth voices must be organised, equipped and ready to lead.

This Training was Co-Implemented by Youth4Parliament and Activista Zambia, with support from ActionAid.

We stand in solidarity with a comrade who has exemplified advocacy for youth inclusion in civic participation by taking a step toward civic leadership.

Cde Gift Sakala served Activista Zambia diligently in various capacities before transitioning to active politics — a bold move that we endorse as a movement advocating for youth-led inclusion in civic leadership.

Comrade, we wish you all the best as you contest the Chingazi Ward elections.

✊🏽✊🏽

PRESS STATEMENT | For Immediate Release 10 May 2026
Activista Africa condemns the arrest and detention of fifteen GALA activists in The Gambia.

On Friday, 8 May 2026, fifteen young Gambians were arrested by the Police Intervention Unit (PIU) at the Westfield Youth Monument in Banjul. Their only "offence" peacefully marking the first anniversary of Gambians Against Looted Assets (GALA), a movement demanding accountability for public wealth looted during 22 years of Jammeh's rule.

GALA had obtained proper authorisation from the Kanifing Municipal Council. The police rejected this without lawful basis and detained all fifteen individuals. Twelve remain held at Kairaba Police Station. Three, including female activists, are at Kotu Police Station denied basic sanitary provisions. Family visits have been refused. No charges have been formally announced.

This is not policing. This is political intimidation.
📢 Activista Africa demands:
→ The immediate and unconditional release of all fifteen detainees
→ Restoration of visitation rights and dignified conditions for everyone in custody
→ A full and public account from the Gambia Police Force on the legal basis for these arrests
→ The Government of The Gambia to honour Section 25 of its Constitution - the right to peaceful assembly is not a privilege. It is a right the state is obligated to protect.
We call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, ECOWAS, the African Union and relevant UN human rights mechanisms to respond with urgency.

To every young Gambian standing in solidarity and to the fifteen inside those cells Activista Africa stands with you. Fully. Without reservation.
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On Labour Day, Activista Lusaka Chapter , with support from Global Platform Zambia, took the conversation to the people✊🏽

We engaged vendors at Kaunda Square Market to hear their views on Zambia’s proposed 24-hour economy.

What came out clearly is this: people are open to opportunity, but they are equally concerned about safety, working conditions, and whether their voices are being heard.

A 24-hour economy cannot work without the people who already keep the economy alive, and that is why as a people-centred movement, these conversations are a necessity. Policy that happens for the people without happening with the people is a failure.

Election Bootcamp – Chipata Edition!

Activista Chipata is pioneering one of many Election Bootcamps to be held by Activista Zambia, equipping young people ahead of the 2026 General Elections.

A selected number of youths will gather from 26–28 August, 2025 at Lunkwakwa Youth Resource Center to shape the future as a prepared voter.