It was formed in November 2024 in Lusaka and the alliance chose former Zambia president Edgar Lungu to be the Alliance Chairperson and presidential candidate for 2026.[1]
Members of the Tonse Alliance include the Christian Democratic Party, Patriots for Economic Progress, New Era Democratic Party, Zambia Republican Party, Patriotic Front, New Congress Party, Zambia Must Prosper, Forum for Democracy and Development, Umozi Kumawa and the Centre for Constitutionalism and Legal Justice among others.[1]
On the 5th of June 2025, the Tonse Alliance announced the passing of their chairman, former President Edgar Lungu.[2]
History
In September 2024, the New Congress Party (NCP) led by Peter Chanda joined the Tonse Alliance after deciding to leave the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA).[3] Several parties within UKA, including the Patriots for Economic Progress led by Sean Tembo and the Christian Democratic Party led by Dan Pule, decided to associate with the Tonse Alliance, which led to their removal from UKA.[4][5]
An invitation was sent to the Patriotic Front (PF) faction led by Edgar Lungu, which was also part of UKA at the time, to join the Tonse Alliance,[6] with a promise for Lungu to be the alliance's candidate at the 2026 general election.[7] The PF accepted the invitation, with Lungu accepting his adoption as the 2026 election candidate[7] and being appointed as the chairperson of the alliance,[1] with Dan Pule being appointed as the vice chairperson[8] and Sean Tembo being appointed as the spokesperson of the alliance.[9][10]
The alliance officially launched on 7 November 2024, where it was revealed that the political parties forming the alliance include the New Congress Party, Patriotic Front, Patriots for Economic Progress, Christian Democratic Party, Zambia Republican Party and New Era Democratic Party.[1] Organizations supporting the alliance include the Centre for Constitutionalism and Legal Justice and Umozi Kumawa among others.[1] The alliance was joined in January 2025 by the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD)[11][12] and Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP).[13][14][15]
The alliance decided in November 2024 that in upcoming by-elections at constituency and ward level, only one party would be used for candidacy, namely the New Congress Party.[16][17] They fielded a candidate the following month in the Kawambwa constituency by-election, with their candidate finishing as the runner-up.[18] For the Petauke Central constituency by-election in February 2025, the alliance fielded a candidate and won, giving the New Congress Party a seat in parliament.[19][20] They fielded a candidate in June 2025 in the Lumezi constituency by-election, with their candidate finishing as the runner-up.[21] They fielded a candidate in August 2025 in the Mfuwe constituency by-election with their candidate finishing as the runner-up.[22]
After Edgar Lungu left Zambia for South Africa in early 2025 for medical purposes,[23]Given Lubinda, who was the Patriotic Front acting president in Lungu's absence,[24][25] was appointed as the Tonse Alliance acting chairperson.[26] After Lungu's death in June 2025,[2] Lubinda continued to be the acting chairperson of the alliance.[27]
Constituent parties
The Tonse Alliance is currently composed of the following political parties:
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