Tanzania Denies Sending Mercenaries to Zambia to Interfere in Election

Tanzania has denied allegations that it sent citizens to Zambia as mercenaries to interfere in the country’s 2026 General Election, saying it is seeking clarification through diplomatic channels.

The allegations were made by National Restoration Party for Unity and Progress (NRPUP) presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, who claimed that Tanzanian citizens had been sent to Zambia to influence the electoral process.

In a video circulating on social media, Mundubile alleged that there was a plan to use what he described as “Tanzanian tactics” to influence the outcome of the election.

“Zambia is not Tanzania. Those who think they can bring here tactics that work in Tanzania will never succeed,” Mundubile said.

He also called on Tanzanians whom he alleged were involved in election-related activities in Zambia to leave the country and return to Tanzania.

The allegations have drawn a response from the Tanzanian government, which said it was concerned by the claims and had begun diplomatic efforts to establish the facts.

Tanzania’s Government Chief Spokesperson, Gerson Msigwa, said the government had instructed its ambassador in Zambia to seek clarification from the Zambian authorities through official diplomatic channels.

“Tanzania has not sent anyone to Zambia to interfere in its elections, and that is not our practice,” Msigwa said.

He explained that Tanzanian citizens present in Zambia in connection with the election could be participating as members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Election Observer Mission.

The SADC observer mission brings together representatives from different member states and operates with the invitation of the country hosting the election.

Msigwa’s statement therefore distinguished between Tanzanians participating in an official regional election observation mission and the allegations that Tanzania had deployed people to interfere in Zambia’s electoral process.

The dispute comes as Zambia holds its 2026 General Election, with President Hakainde Hichilema seeking a second term against a field of opposition candidates, including Mundubile.