Date: 1st January, 2026
My fellow Zambians,
As we put the year 2025 behind us, we do so not with the light-hearted hope of celebration, but with the heavy hearts of a people burdened. The past 12 months have been a relentless testament to the failure of leadership. Across our towns, cities, and rural communities, families have endured unprecedented hardship, we have watched as the cost of living has soared out of reach, fuel prices have continued to rise relentlessly, farmers have waited far too long to be paid for their hard work, and citizens have had to endure some of the longest power outages in our history. The unbearable mathematics of these blackouts have forced industries to shutter and countless small and medium enterprises which are the engines of local employment and innovation have closed their doors permanently. The current administration watches this collapse, yet its focus remains on profit rather than protecting the welfare of Zambian citizens.
What is more, is that the very leadership that ought to unite the nation has been making frantic efforts to be a purveyor of divisive utterances with the full intention of dividing rather than uniting the nation .
In spite of all the challenges, we want you to know, that we see you, we hear you, and we understand your pain and hardship. We are fully aware of the frustration, disappointment, and betrayal by the very government you put in office. We are aware that besides all the effort and support you have given this government, it continues to prioritize foreign interests over you. This disconnect has left many of you frustrated and feeling abandoned in your own country.
To the youth, do not lose hope. Even when the future looks bleak and opportunities seem out of reach, know that you are not alone. The CF has your back covered. We believe in your potential, your creativity, and your resilience. A CF-led government will restore hope and build a better and more inclusive Zambia that deliberately creates opportunities for you.
To the Women of Zambia.Your role as key agents of development has been sidelined for too long. Despite historic individual appointments, women remain severely underrepresented in governance and leadership. This is not just an injustice; it is a national failure that stifles our progress. The CF is committed to turning pledges into practice. We will implement decisive policies and support structures to ensure women have equal opportunities to lead, decide, and shape the Zambia of tomorrow.
To the working citizens of this nation, we acknowledge your tireless effort and sacrifice. You have continued to work, produce, and contribute, even as leadership has failed you by overtaxing your businesses and the workers while foreign firms continue to enjoy generous tax breaks. These firms make supernormal profits that they end up externalizing, and leave Zambia and Zambians worse off. This injustice cannot continue. When CF forms government in 2026, we will level the playing field, protect local enterprise, and ensure that Zambia’s wealth works first and foremost for Zambians.
Zambia is a rich nation, blessed with resources, a vibrant population, and a profound history of peace. The crisis we face is not one of scarcity but of mismanagement and misplaced priorities. The CF government will harness what is good for all, unlocking our collective potential to make Zambia not just stable, but the best country on the African continent.
As we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you, the people of Zambia, for sustaining the peace that our country has enjoyed for the past 61 years. This peace is our greatest inheritance, and it is the same peace that the CF intends to protect, preserve, and strengthen when we form government.
To the CF, the dawn of 2026 is more than a New Year; it is the year we choose a new path. A path of light over darkness, of internal focus over foreign distraction, and of inclusive prosperity for all Zambians.
May the new year bring renewed hope, unity, and resolve. Together, we shall build the Zambia we deserve.Happy New Year. May God bless you, and may God bless the Republic of Zambia.
Signed
Harry Kalaba President – Citizens First