The president’s comments come in response to mounting accusations from civil society organizations, international watchdogs, and religious leaders who claim that Zambia’s democratic institutions are under siege. Khan highlighted the misuse of laws like the Cybersecurity Act and Penal Code to suppress dissent, warning that Zambia’s civic space is rapidly shrinking. If the UPND government is serious about preserving democratic space, it must go beyond rhetoric. That means releasing the ZAMMSA audit, ensuring equal application of the law, and revisiting legislation that stifles dissent. Anything less risks turning Zambia’s democracy into a façade, one where the rule of law is invoked not to protect citizens, but to silence them.