By Angela Moonga
Movement for National Renewal (MNR) founder John Sangwa says the delay to register the organisation as a political party is raising serious constitutional and democratic concerns.
In a press statement yesterday, Sangwa stated that the organisation had complied with all legal requirements for the registration.
”The Societies Act provides for the formal registration of a party once formed. Accordingly, MNR submitted its application for registration on 23 March 2026 to enable its participation in the general election scheduled for August 2026,” Sangwa stated. “While MNR has complied with all legal requirements, the application remains pending. We have been informed that the process is awaiting authorisation from the Office of the Inspector General of Police, which was expected on Monday 30th March 2026, and we have since been advised to revert on Monday 6th April 2026.”
But he stated that this delay, together with the introduction of additional procedural steps without clear statutory basis, raised serious constitutional and democratic concerns.
”Administrative processes must not operate in a manner that limits or delays the effective exercise of the right to participate in elections. With the general election fast approaching, the continued delay is materially affecting MNR’s ability to prepare, organise, and participate on an equal footing,” Sangwa stated.
Sangwa stated that the delay was hampering the movement’s ability to mobilise lawful financial support.
”MNR has made a conscious decision to reject dependence on large private donors, and instead to build a movement funded by small contributions from ordinary Zambians. This approach safeguards the Movement from undue influence and ensures that its leadership remains accountable only to the people. The delay undermines this model by limiting the Movement’s ability to mobilise transparent, citizen-driven support,” Sangwa stated. “We call upon our supporters and all ordinary Zambians to continue contributing, in whatever way they can, to sustain the Movement. MNR is built by the people and funded by the people, and it is through this collective effort that we will safeguard its independence and ensure that it remains accountable only to citizens.”
He urged supporters across the country to continue mobilising, organising, and preparing in readiness for the general election peacefully, lawfully, and with discipline.
”MNR remains committed to constitutionalism, the rule of law, and democratic participation. We note that Zambia’s legal framework, consistent with its regional and international commitments, guarantees the right of citizens to organise and participate freely in political processes,” stated Sangwa. “One million citizens have made their choice to organise and participate in the governance of their country.
That choice must be respected.
Further updates will be provided in due course.”
He stated that MNR applied to transition into a political party after mobilising at least one million citizens in support of its national agenda and that number has continued to grow.
Sangwa stated that having been founded on October 12, 2025, with a clear objective to mobilise one million, as a precondition for its transition to a political party and participation in the 2026 general elections, the milestone was achieved on March 03, 2026.
