Let Zambia Choose Reconciliation: Consider Clemency for Hon Chilangwa and Hon Chitotela
The Issue
🇿🇲 LET ZAMBIA CHOOSE RECONCILIATION
Ask the President to Consider Constitutional Clemency for Hon. Nickson Chilangwa and Hon. Ronald Kaoma Chitotela This Independence Day Justice has its place. So does mercy. On 24 October 2026, Zambia will celebrate Independence Day.
We respectfully ask His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia to consider whether this Independence Day can also become a moment of mercy, reconciliation and national healing.
We are calling for the constitutionally prescribed consideration of appropriate clemency for Hon. Nickson Chilangwa and Hon. Ronald Kaoma Chitotela, through the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy provided for under Article 97 of the Constitution of Zambia.
This petition does not ask Zambia to forget the law.
It does not ask anyone to disregard the courts.
It does not claim that political office places anyone above accountability.
It asks a different question:
After justice has taken its course, can Zambia also make room for mercy?
WHY WE ARE MAKING THIS APPEAL
Hon. Nickson Chilangwa and Hon. Ronald Kaoma Chitotela were convicted in criminal proceedings arising from events connected to the politically charged period surrounding the 2021 General Election.
The courts have made their determinations.
Hon. Chilangwa was convicted of malicious damage to property and sentenced to five years' imprisonment with hard labour. Hon. Chitotela was convicted of arson and was subsequently sentenced by the Kabwe High Court to 10 years' imprisonment with hard labour.
Those are serious matters.
We do not ask citizens to pretend otherwise.
We do not ask the President to declare either man innocent.
We do not ask the Executive to replace the judgment of the courts.
Instead, we ask that another constitutional question be considered:
Does the Constitution provide a lawful place for mercy after conviction?
It does.
Article 97 establishes the constitutional framework for the Prerogative of Mercy, under which the President, following the constitutionally prescribed process and advice of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, may exercise specified forms of mercy in relation to convicted persons.
This petition therefore appeals not against the Constitution, but through the Constitution.
JUSTICE AND MERCY CAN COEXIST
A conviction and an act of mercy are not necessarily contradictory.
Clemency does not have to mean that an offence never happened.
It does not have to mean that a court was wrong.
It does not have to mean that accountability is meaningless.
It can mean that, after the judicial process has taken place, the constitutional power of mercy is considered in light of the circumstances and the broader public interest.
That distinction matters.
We are not asking Zambia to choose between justice and mercy.
We are asking whether a mature democracy can uphold both.
WHY INDEPENDENCE DAY?
Independence Day is more than a public holiday.
It is a national moment to reflect on who we are, where we have come from and what kind of country we want to leave to the next generation.
Zambia's greatest strength has always been that, despite our political differences, we share one country.
Elections end. Governments change. Political parties rise and fall. But Zambia remains. And the communities affected by political conflict remain. Neighbours continue living beside one another.
Families continue raising children together.
Churches continue serving communities.
Businesses continue operating.
Young people inherit the history created by previous generations.
That is why reconciliation matters.
THIS IS ALSO ABOUT KAWAMBWA
For the people of Kawambwa and the wider Luapula community, political conflict is not merely something discussed on television or social media. Communities experience its consequences. People who support different political parties remain neighbours after elections. They worship together. Trade together. Raise families together. Attend the same schools and community events. The work of rebuilding trust therefore cannot end when an election ends or when a court case concludes. Communities also need opportunities to heal. This petition is an appeal to make reconciliation part of that conversation.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT PARTY POLITICS
You do not have to belong to a particular political party to support this petition. You do not have to agree with everything either man has ever said or done. You do not have to believe that politicians should receive treatment that ordinary citizens cannot receive. And you do not have to reject the courts to believe in mercy.
The request is much narrower: We ask that the cases of Hon. Nickson Chilangwa and Hon. Ronald Kaoma Chitotela be considered through the constitutional mechanism of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy, and that the appropriate authorities determine whether clemency is warranted. That decision belongs to the constitutional authorities.
Our responsibility as citizens is to make the appeal.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR
We respectfully call upon His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia to:
1. Ensure that the cases of Hon. Nickson Chilangwa and Hon. Ronald Kaoma Chitotela are considered through the constitutionally prescribed Prerogative of Mercy process.
2. Consider the circumstances of each case in accordance with Article 97 of the Constitution.
3. Consider whether an appropriate form of clemency — including any constitutionally available pardon, commutation, remission or other relief — is warranted.
4. Consider the wider interests of national reconciliation, community healing and social cohesion alongside the seriousness of the offences.
5. Ensure that any decision is made in accordance with the Constitution and applicable law, without undermining judicial independence or placing anyone above the law.
WHAT THIS PETITION IS — AND IS NOT
THIS PETITION IS:
- An appeal for constitutional consideration.
- An appeal for mercy.
- An appeal for reconciliation.
- An appeal for healing within communities affected by political division.
- An appeal for Zambia to consider whether justice and mercy can coexist.
THIS PETITION IS NOT:
❌ A declaration of innocence.
❌ An attempt to overturn a judicial conviction through a Change.org campaign.
❌ A claim that politicians are above the law.
❌ A rejection of the courts.
❌ A call for political violence or confrontation.
❌ A demand that the President ignore the constitutional process.
WHY YOUR SIGNATURE MATTERS
One signature will not decide whether clemency is granted.
That is not the purpose of a citizen petition.
The purpose is to demonstrate that Zambians are willing to publicly call for reconciliation and ask that the constitutional power of mercy be considered.
Your signature says:
«I believe Zambia can uphold justice while still making room for mercy.»
Your signature says:
«I believe political differences should not become permanent divisions within our communities.»
Your signature says:
«I believe reconciliation is worth pursuing.»
And your signature helps create a public record of citizens who want this conversation to take place.
OUR APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT
Your Excellency,
On Independence Day, Zambia will once again celebrate the freedom and sovereignty of our nation. We respectfully ask that you consider whether this national occasion can also become a moment of reflection on reconciliation. We recognise the seriousness of the convictions. We recognise the authority of the courts. We recognise the importance of accountability. But we also recognise that the Constitution itself provides a mechanism through which mercy may be considered. We therefore ask that the cases of Hon. Nickson Chilangwa and Hon. Ronald Kaoma Chitotela be considered through that constitutional mechanism. Not because they are politicians. Not because political office places anyone above the law. But because they are human beings who have been convicted, and because the Constitution recognises that after justice has spoken, there can still be a constitutional place for mercy. If the competent authorities conclude that clemency is not warranted, that decision belongs within the constitutional process. But we believe the question deserves to be considered.
LET THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY BE ABOUT MORE THAN LOOKING BACK
Let us remember the past.
Let us learn from it.
Let us uphold the law.
Let us reject political violence.
Let us respect our institutions.
But let us also ask whether Zambia can move forward without allowing the divisions of yesterday to define the relationships of tomorrow. Because our country is bigger than any political party. Bigger than any election. Bigger than any individual politician.
ZAMBIA IS OUR COMMON HOME.
And if reconciliation is possible, we should have the courage to pursue it.
OUR CALL
Sign this petition. Share it with your family. Share it with your friends. Share it with your community.
If you believe that justice matters, sign. If you believe that accountability matters, sign. If you believe that reconciliation matters, sign. If you believe that mercy has a legitimate place in a constitutional democracy, sign. And if you believe that Zambia can heal without forgetting its history, sign and share this appeal.
LET JUSTICE STAND. LET ACCOUNTABILITY STAND. LET THE CONSTITUTION STAND. AND LET MERCY HAVE ITS PLACE. 🇿🇲 LET ZAMBIA MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.
Sign the petition.
Share the petition.
Start the conversation.
2
The Issue
🇿🇲 LET ZAMBIA CHOOSE RECONCILIATION
Ask the President to Consider Constitutional Clemency for Hon. Nickson Chilangwa and Hon. Ronald Kaoma Chitotela This Independence Day Justice has its place. So does mercy. On 24 October 2026, Zambia will celebrate Independence Day.
We respectfully ask His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia to consider whether this Independence Day can also become a moment of mercy, reconciliation and national healing.
We are calling for the constitutionally prescribed consideration of appropriate clemency for Hon. Nickson Chilangwa and Hon. Ronald Kaoma Chitotela, through the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy provided for under Article 97 of the Constitution of Zambia.
This petition does not ask Zambia to forget the law.
It does not ask anyone to disregard the courts.
It does not claim that political office places anyone above accountability.
It asks a different question:
After justice has taken its course, can Zambia also make room for mercy?
WHY WE ARE MAKING THIS APPEAL
Hon. Nickson Chilangwa and Hon. Ronald Kaoma Chitotela were convicted in criminal proceedings arising from events connected to the politically charged period surrounding the 2021 General Election.
The courts have made their determinations.
Hon. Chilangwa was convicted of malicious damage to property and sentenced to five years' imprisonment with hard labour. Hon. Chitotela was convicted of arson and was subsequently sentenced by the Kabwe High Court to 10 years' imprisonment with hard labour.
Those are serious matters.
We do not ask citizens to pretend otherwise.
We do not ask the President to declare either man innocent.
We do not ask the Executive to replace the judgment of the courts.
Instead, we ask that another constitutional question be considered:
Does the Constitution provide a lawful place for mercy after conviction?
It does.
Article 97 establishes the constitutional framework for the Prerogative of Mercy, under which the President, following the constitutionally prescribed process and advice of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, may exercise specified forms of mercy in relation to convicted persons.
This petition therefore appeals not against the Constitution, but through the Constitution.
JUSTICE AND MERCY CAN COEXIST
A conviction and an act of mercy are not necessarily contradictory.
Clemency does not have to mean that an offence never happened.
It does not have to mean that a court was wrong.
It does not have to mean that accountability is meaningless.
It can mean that, after the judicial process has taken place, the constitutional power of mercy is considered in light of the circumstances and the broader public interest.
That distinction matters.
We are not asking Zambia to choose between justice and mercy.
We are asking whether a mature democracy can uphold both.
WHY INDEPENDENCE DAY?
Independence Day is more than a public holiday.
It is a national moment to reflect on who we are, where we have come from and what kind of country we want to leave to the next generation.
Zambia's greatest strength has always been that, despite our political differences, we share one country.
Elections end. Governments change. Political parties rise and fall. But Zambia remains. And the communities affected by political conflict remain. Neighbours continue living beside one another.
Families continue raising children together.
Churches continue serving communities.
Businesses continue operating.
Young people inherit the history created by previous generations.
That is why reconciliation matters.
THIS IS ALSO ABOUT KAWAMBWA
For the people of Kawambwa and the wider Luapula community, political conflict is not merely something discussed on television or social media. Communities experience its consequences. People who support different political parties remain neighbours after elections. They worship together. Trade together. Raise families together. Attend the same schools and community events. The work of rebuilding trust therefore cannot end when an election ends or when a court case concludes. Communities also need opportunities to heal. This petition is an appeal to make reconciliation part of that conversation.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT PARTY POLITICS
You do not have to belong to a particular political party to support this petition. You do not have to agree with everything either man has ever said or done. You do not have to believe that politicians should receive treatment that ordinary citizens cannot receive. And you do not have to reject the courts to believe in mercy.
The request is much narrower: We ask that the cases of Hon. Nickson Chilangwa and Hon. Ronald Kaoma Chitotela be considered through the constitutional mechanism of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy, and that the appropriate authorities determine whether clemency is warranted. That decision belongs to the constitutional authorities.
Our responsibility as citizens is to make the appeal.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR
We respectfully call upon His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia to:
1. Ensure that the cases of Hon. Nickson Chilangwa and Hon. Ronald Kaoma Chitotela are considered through the constitutionally prescribed Prerogative of Mercy process.
2. Consider the circumstances of each case in accordance with Article 97 of the Constitution.
3. Consider whether an appropriate form of clemency — including any constitutionally available pardon, commutation, remission or other relief — is warranted.
4. Consider the wider interests of national reconciliation, community healing and social cohesion alongside the seriousness of the offences.
5. Ensure that any decision is made in accordance with the Constitution and applicable law, without undermining judicial independence or placing anyone above the law.
WHAT THIS PETITION IS — AND IS NOT
THIS PETITION IS:
- An appeal for constitutional consideration.
- An appeal for mercy.
- An appeal for reconciliation.
- An appeal for healing within communities affected by political division.
- An appeal for Zambia to consider whether justice and mercy can coexist.
THIS PETITION IS NOT:
❌ A declaration of innocence.
❌ An attempt to overturn a judicial conviction through a Change.org campaign.
❌ A claim that politicians are above the law.
❌ A rejection of the courts.
❌ A call for political violence or confrontation.
❌ A demand that the President ignore the constitutional process.
WHY YOUR SIGNATURE MATTERS
One signature will not decide whether clemency is granted.
That is not the purpose of a citizen petition.
The purpose is to demonstrate that Zambians are willing to publicly call for reconciliation and ask that the constitutional power of mercy be considered.
Your signature says:
«I believe Zambia can uphold justice while still making room for mercy.»
Your signature says:
«I believe political differences should not become permanent divisions within our communities.»
Your signature says:
«I believe reconciliation is worth pursuing.»
And your signature helps create a public record of citizens who want this conversation to take place.
OUR APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT
Your Excellency,
On Independence Day, Zambia will once again celebrate the freedom and sovereignty of our nation. We respectfully ask that you consider whether this national occasion can also become a moment of reflection on reconciliation. We recognise the seriousness of the convictions. We recognise the authority of the courts. We recognise the importance of accountability. But we also recognise that the Constitution itself provides a mechanism through which mercy may be considered. We therefore ask that the cases of Hon. Nickson Chilangwa and Hon. Ronald Kaoma Chitotela be considered through that constitutional mechanism. Not because they are politicians. Not because political office places anyone above the law. But because they are human beings who have been convicted, and because the Constitution recognises that after justice has spoken, there can still be a constitutional place for mercy. If the competent authorities conclude that clemency is not warranted, that decision belongs within the constitutional process. But we believe the question deserves to be considered.
LET THIS INDEPENDENCE DAY BE ABOUT MORE THAN LOOKING BACK
Let us remember the past.
Let us learn from it.
Let us uphold the law.
Let us reject political violence.
Let us respect our institutions.
But let us also ask whether Zambia can move forward without allowing the divisions of yesterday to define the relationships of tomorrow. Because our country is bigger than any political party. Bigger than any election. Bigger than any individual politician.
ZAMBIA IS OUR COMMON HOME.
And if reconciliation is possible, we should have the courage to pursue it.
OUR CALL
Sign this petition. Share it with your family. Share it with your friends. Share it with your community.
If you believe that justice matters, sign. If you believe that accountability matters, sign. If you believe that reconciliation matters, sign. If you believe that mercy has a legitimate place in a constitutional democracy, sign. And if you believe that Zambia can heal without forgetting its history, sign and share this appeal.
LET JUSTICE STAND. LET ACCOUNTABILITY STAND. LET THE CONSTITUTION STAND. AND LET MERCY HAVE ITS PLACE. 🇿🇲 LET ZAMBIA MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.
Sign the petition.
Share the petition.
Start the conversation.
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
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Petition created on 3 October 2026