Zambia: African Bishops Express Concern Over the Arrest of Archbishop Banda

What the report says

African bishops under the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) have voiced concern over the arrest of Archbishop Alick Banda of Lusaka, Zambia, in a statement reported by Fides and carried by AllAfrica. Their message, dated 1 October 2026, offered solidarity and prayerful support to the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops and to Banda during what they described as a difficult moment for the Church in Zambia.

According to the report, Banda was arrested on 28 September after appearing before Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission, which charged him in connection with possession of a Toyota Hilux that investigators said was suspected of having been unlawfully obtained from the Zambia Revenue Authority. He later pleaded not guilty in a Lusaka court and was released on bail after spending one night in custody.

The bishops in Zambia also held an extraordinary plenary session on 29 September. In their statement, they said the country’s democratic foundations were under strain amid political polarization, intimidation and arbitrary arrests. They linked those concerns to the disputed 13 August general elections, saying public confidence in elections is vital to the legitimacy of democratic institutions.

The article adds that Banda’s case has drawn prayerful attention from worshippers in Lusaka and comes amid wider political tension, including arrests of opposition figures after the election. These details underscore why the matter is being watched not only as a church issue but also as part of Zambia’s broader legal and political climate.