Tonse Alliance

This article is about the political alliance in Zambia. For the political alliance in Malawi, see Tonse Alliance (Malawi).
Tonse Alliance
FormationNovember 7, 2024 (2024-11-07)
TypePolitical alliance
Location
Chairperson
Brian Mundubile
Vice chairperson
Dan Pule

Tonse Alliance is a Zambian alliance of political parties whose goal is to remove the United Party for National Development from government at the 2026 general election.[1]

It was formed in November 2024 in Lusaka and the alliance chose former Zambia president Edgar Lungu to be the Alliance Chairperson and presidential candidate for 2026.[1]

Members of the Tonse Alliance include the Christian Democratic Party, New Era Democratic Party, Zambia Republican Party, Forum for Democracy and Development, Umozi Kumawa and the Centre for Constitutionalism and Legal Justice among others.[1]

On 5 June 2025, the Tonse Alliance announced the death of their chairman, former President Edgar Lungu.[2] In January 2026, a convention was held in which Brian Mundubile was selected as his replacement.[3][4]

History

In September 2024, the New Congress Party (NCP) led by Peter Chanda joined the Tonse Alliance after deciding to leave the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA).[5] Several parties within UKA, including the Patriots for Economic Progress led by Sean Tembo and the Christian Democratic Party led by Dan Pule, decided to associate with the Tonse Alliance, which led to their removal from UKA.[6][7]

An invitation was sent to the Patriotic Front (PF) faction led by Edgar Lungu, which was also part of UKA at the time, to join the Tonse Alliance,[8] with a promise for Lungu to be the alliance's candidate at the 2026 general election.[9] The PF accepted the invitation, with Lungu accepting his adoption as the 2026 election candidate[9] and being appointed as the chairperson of the alliance,[1] with Dan Pule being appointed as the vice chairperson[10] and Sean Tembo being appointed as the spokesperson of the alliance.[11][12]

The alliance officially launched on 7 November 2024, where it was revealed that the political parties forming the alliance include the New Congress Party, Patriotic Front, Patriots for Economic Progress, Christian Democratic Party, Zambia Republican Party and New Era Democratic Party.[1] Organizations supporting the alliance include the Centre for Constitutionalism and Legal Justice and Umozi Kumawa among others.[1] The alliance was joined in January 2025 by the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD)[13][14] and Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP).[15][16][17]

The alliance decided in November 2024 that in upcoming by-elections at constituency and ward level, only one party would be used for candidacy, namely the New Congress Party.[18][19] They fielded a candidate the following month in the Kawambwa constituency by-election, with their candidate finishing as the runner-up.[20] For the Petauke Central constituency by-election in February 2025, the alliance fielded a candidate (Simon Banda) and won, giving the New Congress Party a seat in parliament.[21][22] They fielded a candidate in June 2025 in the Lumezi constituency by-election, with their candidate finishing as the runner-up.[23] They fielded a candidate in August 2025 in the Mfuwe constituency by-election with their candidate finishing as the runner-up.[24]

After Edgar Lungu left Zambia for South Africa in early 2025 for medical purposes,[25] Given Lubinda, who was the Patriotic Front acting president in Lungu's absence,[26][27] was appointed as the Tonse Alliance acting chairperson.[28] After Lungu's death in June 2025,[2] Lubinda continued to be the acting chairperson of the alliance[29] although some members in the alliance argued that Dan Pule (who was the vice chairperson) should be the acting chairperson due to his position regardless of what late president Lungu had instructed.[30]

In October 2025, the New Congress Party (which was used to win the Petauke Central seat eight months earlier) announced its resignation from the Tonse Alliance.[31][32][33][34] In December 2025, as there was an upcoming by-election in Chawama constituency scheduled for the following month, it was announced that the Tonse Alliance members made a decision to use the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) to field their candidate for this election.[35][36][37][38]

On 15 January 2026, the Chawama constituency by-election took place, with the FDD's candidate (Bright Nundwe) winning the by-election, giving the Forum for Democracy and Development a seat in Parliament.[39][40] On 29 January 2026, a by-election took place in Kasama District to elect a new mayor following the death of the previous mayor, with the FDD's candidate (Peter Yuda Chikweti) finishing as the runner-up with 33% of the vote.[41][42][43][44]

On 7 January 2026, the Patriots for Economic Progress (PEP) party led by Sean Tembo decided to exit from the Tonse Alliance due to internal disagreements.[45] On the same day, Dan Pule made an announcement stating that the alliance members decided to expel the Patriotic Front (PF) from the alliance.[46][47][48] Some PF members challenged the decision.[49]

The Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP) party led by Kelvin Fube Bwalya expressed interest in standing for the alliance presidency[50] while it also expressed issues over the alliance membership and leadership after the supposed expulsion of the PF from the alliance.[51] They eventually exited from the Tonse Alliance due to disagreements.[52][53][54][55]

During January 2026, a section of the Tonse Alliance decided to open nominations for the alliance chairperson position as well as for the presidential candidacy for the 2026 general election to happen in August that year. Reports stated that Dan Pule (the president of the Christian Democratic Party) and Brian Mundubile (a Patriotic Front member) had applied for the positions.[50] On 28 January 2026, a convention took place and Mundubile was chosen as the alliance's 2026 presidential candidate and it was maintained that the Forum for Democracy and Development will be the party used for candidacy at the election.[3][4] So, Brian Mundubile was no-longer regarded as a member of the Patriotic Front.[56]

On 11 March 2026, the Patriotic Front formed the PF Pamodzi Alliance and officially decided to step away from the Tonse Alliance.[57][58]

Constituent parties

The Tonse Alliance is currently composed of the following political parties:

Party Abbreviation Ideology National Assembly of Zambia
Forum for Democracy and Development FDD Social democracy
0 / 156
Christian Democratic Party CDP Democracy
0 / 156
Zambia Republican Party ZRP Progressivism
0 / 156
New Era Democratic Party NEDP Democracy
0 / 156
ALL Peoples Congress Party APC Democracy
0 / 156

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Kasabo, Angel (November 7, 2024). "TONSE ALLIANCE LUNCHED, ECL AT THE HELM". rcv.co.zm.
  2. ^ a b "Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu dies aged 68". The Citizen. 2025-06-05. Retrieved 2025-06-05.
  3. ^ a b "Mundubile elected Tonse Alliance president as PF remains under court block". 2026-01-28. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  4. ^ a b "NEW TONSE ALLIANCE PRESIDENT BRIAN MUNDUBILE PROMISES TO UNITE ZAMBIA". Diamond Media. 2026-01-29. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  5. ^ SICHULA, AUGUSTINE (2024-09-12). "NCP leader, Chanda, regrets partnership with United Kwacha Alliance, slams group as divisive, treacherous". Zambia Monitor. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  6. ^ SICHULA, AUGUSTINE (2024-09-17). "Political rift deepens in United Kwacha Alliance, with expulsion of three council members". Zambia Monitor. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  7. ^ "UKA Expels Three Alliance Members". Zambian Digest. 18 September 2024. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  8. ^ "Zambia : PF Open to Joining Multiple Alliances to Mobilize Opposition". 2024-09-19. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  9. ^ a b "Zambia : Edgar Lungu Accepts 2026 Bid, Urges Opposition Unity Against Economic Crisis". 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  10. ^ "Tonse Alliance hands over constitution to Lungu". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  11. ^ "SEAN TEMBO DISPLEASED WITH ALLEGED DISPARAGING REMARKS BY UPND AGAINST TONSE ALLIANCE 2026 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, ECL". Radio Phoenix FM. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  12. ^ "TONSE LEADERS HEADING TO KAWAMBWA - The Zambian Observer". Ground News. 2024-11-24. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  13. ^ SICHULA, AUGUSTINE (2025-01-04). "Forum for Democracy joins TONSE alliance, calls for unified opposition to ruling UPND ahead of 2026 elections". Zambia Monitor. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  14. ^ "FDD Join Tonse Alliance". Zambian Digest. 2025-03-31. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  15. ^ "Zambia Must Prosper joins Tonse". Daily Revelation News. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
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  20. ^ "Zambia : UPND Secures Kawambwa Central Parliamentary Seat Amidst Controversy". 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
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  23. ^ "Lumezi victory a signal for 2026 – UPND". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  24. ^ Mofya, Mwenya. "Peaceful by-elections elate HH". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  25. ^ "Zambia President Lungu goes to South Africa for treatment". BBC News. 2015-03-10. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  26. ^ "Judiciary has a chance to unify PF now that we've reconciled – Lubinda". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
  27. ^ "POLICE ARREST PF VICE PRESIDENT GIVEN LUBINDA - Diamond Media". 2023-05-15. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  28. ^ "Lungu calls for ceasefire, appoints Lubinda to act as Tonse Alliance Chairman". Zambian Eye. 2025-04-25. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
  29. ^ "Govt should assist citizens attending ECL's burial in SA – Lubinda". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
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  31. ^ "Zambia : NCP Withdraws from Tonse Alliance, Citing Greed and Disunity". 2025-10-07. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
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  35. ^ "Why FDD Is the Second Home for PF". Zambia. 2025-12-14. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
  36. ^ Jere, Shadreck. "Tonse to use FDD for Chawama by-election". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
  37. ^ "Tonse Alliance to contest Chawama under FDD". Zambian Eye. 2025-12-11. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
  38. ^ "Zambia : ECZ Anticipates Crowded Field as Chawama By-Election Nominations Open". 2025-12-16. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
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  40. ^ "FDD Wins Chawama Parliamentary By-Election". Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
  41. ^ UPND’s BYWELL SIMPOSYA WINS KASAMA MAYORAL BY-ELECTION - Kasma Municipal Council
  42. ^ "Bywell Simposya Wins Kasama Mayoral By-Election". 2026-01-30. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
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  44. ^ "Zambia : Hichilema Praises Opposition for Peaceful Kasama Mayoral By-Election". 2026-01-31. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
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  47. ^ "TONSE ALLIANCE SUSPENDS PF FROM THE MOVEMENT". Diamond Media. 2026-01-07. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  48. ^ "Tonse Alliance Expels PF, Retains ECL Political Movement". Daily Nation. 2026-01-07. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  49. ^ "Tonse Legitimacy Row Puts PF Leaders at Risk of Expulsion". 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  50. ^ a b Munkombwe, Elijah. "Pule, Mundubile, KBF have expressed interest to stand for Tonse chairmanship – Zumani". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  51. ^ "I left Tonse Alliance because opposition lacks clear direction – KBF". Zambian Eye. 2025-12-21. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  52. ^ "KBF THREATENS TO QUIT TONSE ALLIANCE". The Zambian Observer. 2026-01-21. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  53. ^ Jere, Shadreck. "KBF threatens to leave Tonse". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  54. ^ "Tonse Alliance Divisions Deepen as KBF Walks Out". The Zambian Observer. 2026-01-21. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  55. ^ "KBF to quit Pule faction Alliance". Daily Nation. 2026-01-22. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  56. ^ Munkombwe, Elijah. "Mundubile has expelled himself from PF – Kapata". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2026-03-14.
  57. ^ Mabenga, Elizabeth. "Lubinda's PF launches Pamodzi Alliance, distances itself from Tonse". Zambia: News Diggers!. Retrieved 2026-03-13.
  58. ^ SICHULA, AUGUSTINE (2026-03-11). "Lubinda-led PF faction forms Pamodzi Alliance, cuts ties with Tonse Alliance (Video)". Zambia Monitor. Retrieved 2026-03-13.
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