Who Is Linda Kasonde? Why Does She Keep Raising the Alarm After Alarm?

Linda Kasonde has become one of Zambia’s most persistent voices on constitutionalism, democracy and the rule of law.

Her latest intervention came in a joint statement by five civil society organisations warning of what they describe as a growing pattern of disregard for due process following the August 13 election. The statement raises concerns over passport cancellations, prolonged detention of opposition figures and the treatment of political opponents.

But Kasonde’s criticism of government did not begin with the Hichilema administration.

A lawyer for more than two decades, she made history in 2016 when she became the first woman elected President of the Law Association of Zambia. During Edgar Lungu’s presidency, LAZ challenged government on major constitutional questions, including the decision by ministers to remain in office after Parliament was dissolved.

After leaving LAZ, Kasonde founded Chapter One Foundation in 2019, turning increasingly towards public-interest and constitutional litigation. The organisation challenged controversial Bill 10 and later took legal action following restrictions on internet access during the 2021 general election.

Her advocacy has continued under President Hakainde Hichilema. Kasonde has raised concerns about constitutional changes, executive power, restrictions on rights and, more recently, the treatment of opposition politicians and government critics.

She now leads the LCK Freedom Foundation, which focuses heavily on strategic litigation — using carefully selected court cases to test government decisions and clarify constitutional protections.

Her latest statement, signed on behalf of organisations including Caritas Zambia, Chapter One Foundation and Free Press Initiative Zambia, calls for due process for detainees, investigations into allegations of mistreatment and national dialogue.

Government may disagree strongly with some of these accusations, and several serious claims remain allegations requiring investigation or determination by the courts.

But Kasonde’s record shows one important consistency: she challenged those in power under the PF, and she is challenging those in power under the UPND.

For nearly a decade, she has built a prominent part of her public career around one principle — that constitutional protections matter regardless of who occupies State House.