Zambia is Not a Military State: Let US Get the Concept Right

ZAMBIA IS NOT A MILITARY STATE: LET US GET THE CONCEPT RIGHT

By Golden Mapulanga — Political Analyst

The increased visibility of the military during and after the 2026 elections should not, by itself, lead us to conclude that Zambia has become a military state. That conclusion confuses the state, government and military.

Zambia is a sovereign state. The elected President and Cabinet constitute the government, meaning the political administration currently entrusted with governing the state. The Zambia Defence Force is a state institution responsible for national defence; it is not the government.

The critical question, therefore, is not whether the military is visible or active, but who exercises political authority over it.

In a constitutional democracy:

Zambian State = Sovereign entity
Zambian Government = Current political administration
Zambia Defence Force = State defence institution
Civilian authority = Constitutional political authority exercising control over the military

This is the principle of civilian control of the military.

Therefore, military deployment or visibility during a sensitive electoral period may warrant public scrutiny and accountability, but it does not automatically transform Zambia into a military state.

A military state exists when the military becomes the political authority—not merely when the military performs its constitutional security functions.

The debate should therefore be about the legality, proportionality and accountability of military involvement, rather than casually labelling Zambia a military state.

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