Opposition politician Brian Mushimba has called on Government to lower political tensions and embrace dialogue, reconciliation and forgiveness following Zambia’s recently concluded elections.

Mushimba, the president of the Organised People’s Party, made the call after Archbishop Alick Banda was reportedly summoned by the Drug Enforcement Commission for a fresh appearance on Monday.

The Archdiocese of Lusaka has confirmed that the Archbishop is expected to appear before the DEC on September 28, following renewed summons from the commission. The Church has called on Catholics to remain calm and united in prayer as Banda responds to the summons.

Mushimba said he was “deeply disturbed” by what he described as the continued targeting of Archbishop Banda, while acknowledging that the State has the right to investigate genuine allegations.

He, however, warned that such powers should not be used to silence dissent, intimidate critics or punish citizens for expressing views that may be uncomfortable to those in authority.

“We cannot build a united Zambia through fear. We cannot heal a divided nation through intimidation,” Mushimba said.

He said repeated confrontations with dissenting voices risk deepening political divisions and increasing suspicion among citizens at a time when the country needs to rebuild trust.

Mushimba said leadership should be measured by the ability to listen and engage rather than by the number of people summoned by state institutions.

“True leadership is demonstrated by the courage to listen, the humility to engage and the wisdom to forgive,” he said.

The OPP leader also called for an end to what he described as the criminalisation of divergent views, arguing that political disagreements should not continually turn into confrontations between citizens and the State.

“Zambia needs leadership that brings people together, not a State that continually turns disagreement into confrontation,” he said.

Banda’s renewed summons comes against the background of an earlier DEC investigation involving the Archbishop and a Toyota Hilux previously associated with the Zambia Revenue Authority. The DEC said in January that Banda had been summoned to assist with investigations and dismissed claims at the time that the matter was politically motivated.

The Archdiocese has not disclosed what the latest summons relates to. It has announced a solidarity Mass at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus on Monday morning before Banda is expected to proceed to the DEC.

Mushimba said Zambia should now focus on reducing tensions following the August elections and creating space for dialogue and reconciliation.

“We dialogue. We reconcile. We forgive each other,” he said.