Zambia Cancels RightsCon 2026, Leaving 2,600 Delegates Stranded

*TL;DR: Zambia scrapped the RightsCon 2026 conference on short notice, claiming it conflicted with national values, and abandoned more than 2,600 activists, technologists and policymakers scheduled to convene in Lusaka.

The government’s decision arrived less than 48 hours before the four‑day summit was set to begin on May 5. Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana said the event needed to align with Zambia’s “national values, policy priorities and broader public interest.” The cancellation came after a year of planning and months of coordination between the host ministry and Access Now, the New York‑based organizer.

Over 2,600 delegates from civil society, academia and the tech sector had booked flights and visas to discuss digital‑era challenges such as online hate, AI surveillance, internet shutdowns and the militarisation of technology. Many were travelling from West Africa, where costs and logistics are high. Participants like Karna Kone of the ODAS Centre described the loss as both financial and strategic, noting that the conference was a rare platform for Francophone African voices on reproductive‑health digital threats.

Zambian lawyer and activist Linda Kasonde condemned the move as a “slow degradation of rights,” pointing to curbs on freedom of expression and assembly since the current administration took power. She linked the timing to the upcoming August 2026 general election, suggesting the government is tightening laws to secure electoral advantage and limit civil‑society gatherings.

RightsCon’s cancellation has sparked accusations of censorship and transnational repression. Access Now called the unilateral decision “unprecedented and existential” for a sector already under financial and political strain. Observers note that the venue was donated by China and that several Taiwanese delegates were slated to attend, hinting at possible external pressure.

The abrupt halt damages Zambia’s reputation as a regional hub for digital‑rights dialogue. It also removes a critical space for addressing online threats to women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, which activists say are under intense assault across the continent. The loss underscores a broader pattern of governments using compliance mechanisms to restrict public debate.

What to watch next: Monitor how the Zambian government responds to international criticism and whether any alternative forums will be arranged for the displaced delegates ahead of the August elections.