Tonse Alliance Drops PF as Anchor Party, Plans Leadership Election Amid Opposition Chaos

The Tonse Alliance has ejected the Patriotic Front from its ranks, deepening the disarray within Zambia's fractured opposition ahead of the 2026 elections.

At Tuesday's virtual Council of Leaders meeting, Caretaker Chairperson Professor Danny Pule announced the Alliance would no longer recognise the PF entangled in court battles with Hon. Robert Chabinga. Instead, it will align exclusively with the "Edgar Chagwa Lungu (ECL) PF Political Movement" – described as an unregistered pressure group of ECL loyalists.

The decision exposes the complete fragmentation of what was once Zambia's governing party. Prof. Pule cited "prolonged internal disputes, leadership wrangles, court battles and chaotic internal politics" that have paralyzed the Alliance's effectiveness and made it appear "institutionally disorganised."

The Alliance's formation in July 2023 itself stemmed from opposition dysfunction – created after ECL allegedly felt "betrayed" by PF leaders who "traded and politically sold" the party to UPND, and following the collapse of the UKA project.

Now even that alternative platform faces uncertainty. The Alliance will hold its General Congress this month to elect a new chairperson and 2026 presidential candidate, with all Council members eligible to contest – suggesting further internal competition ahead.

As President Hichilema's government maintains momentum on economic reforms and infrastructure development, Zambia's opposition remains consumed by succession battles, court cases, and competing factions – offering voters little coherent alternative vision for the country's future.