The Economic Intelligence Unit says this week’s Xenophobic attacks has highlighted how a challenging economic backdrop can fuel social tensions and weaken security.
In a statement, the EIU said although police presence in the affected neighbourhoods has been strengthened and there are few indications that the unrest will escalate further.
“We maintain our forecast that high inflation and a subdued economic outlook will heighten social tensions,” it said.
It said although the riots may have been triggered by the suspected ritual killings, high youth unemployment and rapidly rising cost of living have increased frustration among locals, especially youths.
“Many foreign nationals run thriving small businesses in townships and the central business district of Lusaka, and as ordinary Zambians grapple with a tough economic climate, hostility towards foreigners appears to have increased,” it says.
The EIU said the disturbances, the first larger-scale xenophobic attacks in recent times have tarnished Zambia’s credentials as a safe haven for refugees fleeing conflict in others parts of Africa.
“Normally a peaceful city, the incidents in Lusaka baffled the government and many residents. The authorities arrested over 250 people and warned of stiff punishments in an attempt to curb the violence and the riots,” it said.
Riots broke out in several Lusaka townships on April 18th and 19th after locals targeted foreigners in attacks of retribution following the deaths of at least six people in suspected ritual murders.
At least two people have been killed in the revenge attacks.
The spontaneous riots appeared to be a reaction to the police’s reluctance to reveal the identities of 11 suspects arrested in relation to the murders of six locals, who had had organs and other body parts removed, within two months.
The rioters had demanded that the police reveal whether those arrested in connection with the suspected ritual murders were all foreigners.
The foreigners targeted in the recent attacks, mainly Rwandans who have lived in Zambia since escaping the 1994 Rwandan genocide, sought refuge at police stations as rioting and looting of dozens of shops owned by both foreigners and locals spread to several densely populated residential areas of the capital. Prior to the unrest, residents had burned a police post to protest the failure to arrest the murder suspects.
It is the challenging laziness period. Also the ritual killers need to be arrested now.
Between 6 and 11 August 2011, thousands of people rioted in several London boroughs and in cities and towns across England. The resulting chaos generated looting, arson, and mass deployment of police and resulted in the death of five people. Disturbances began on 6 August after a protest in Tottenham, London, following the death of Mark Duggan, a local man who was shot dead by police on 4 August.[12] Several violent clashes with police ensued, along with the destruction of police vehicles, a double-decker bus, and many homes and businesses, thus rapidly gaining attention from the media. Overnight, looting took place in Tottenham Hale retail park and nearby Wood Green. The following days saw similar scenes in other parts of London, with the most rioting taking place in Hackney, Brixton,…
HH’s handwriting is all over this report. This man is a sadist. He has so much anger its blinding him.
From what I have posted on 1.1………was there an economic challenge in the UK as well?
2014 – Ferguson, Missouri, USA, August 10. Protests turned into violent riots and unrest after the death of teenager Michael Brown, who was shot by a Ferguson police officer.
2015 – Baltimore, Maryland, USA– After days of peaceful protests, rioting and looting began on Monday, April 27, 2015 following the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody.
@Ba Sebenza
Yes the frustrations of mostly the unemployed minorities spilled into the streets of london and precipitated the riots and looting that took place in areas such as Brixton. That situation is mirrored in Zambia and the EIU analysis is spot on.
Those Zambians involved in those riots must be ashamed of themselves. They are using these killings as excuses to loot shops belonging to people working hard to earn an honest living. Blame yourselves for your frustration bafikaala. You vote in *****ss to lead you and you expect good things? Suffer so that you learn that voting for leaders is no joke.
I am not trying to justify the looting and violence, but to say that Xenophobic attacks has highlighted how a challenging economic backdrop can fuel social tensions is telling ‘half truths’. The looters should be arrested together with the ritual killers, because they are both criminals.
“Zambians are hungry and angry”, BBC. Commander-in-Chief is Edgar but I doubt he knows it. Whatever the arguments, Edgar needs to act decisively…but such an act would require leadership and that lacks in Edgar. He is simply the most useless and worst president we have ever had
@Nzelu, the Rwandese refugees are given grants to assist them settle, these are the same monies they’ve reinvested in shops at every street corners. Doubt they pay tax. All the “tutembas” have been thrown out of business bcos of lack of capital/business. THIS IS NOT TO JUSTIFY THE ATTACKS but one of the causes for lack of business opportunities amongst the locals.
Zambia is being destroyed while everyone is watching. We can no longer claim to be one of the most peaceful countries in the world. The consequences of these Xenophobic attacks will last much longer than you think. World wide, Zambians are one of the most loved people. That wont be the case anymore. You should hear or see how many countries look at South Africans. We have allowed few selfish people to tarnish our image. The shop owners that lost property must be compensated by Government.
This wind of violence has been blowing in major cities in Zambia for a while now. Our politicians did little to root it out. It was just a matter of time before the wind blew in a different direction. Our leaders have been promoting tribalism and division. Now they must celebrate their achievements…
Most pictures have seen for those rioters, looks like the target was foodstuffs, mealie meal, relish, cooking oil, sugar, a sign that the prices for most Zambians food commodities are just way too high, HH knows that the first line of defence is affordable food on the table, shelter, clothing and jobs, jobs, jobs, the rest will just fall into place.
contd..
Now they must celebrate their achievements. Do you think those countries experiencing civil war are any different from us? STOP tribal politics and dividing the nation. Do we need to experience civil war before we can learn our lessons, because that is where we are heading if we dont change the politics of insults, division and tribalism?
A lady was hit in the head and then stripped naked in full view of the police and the Vice President, and nothing, absolutely nothing happened to those thugs!!! We should all be ashamed of our selves. We brought this upon our selves. Pure wickedness is what id happening in Zambia and our pastors want to push their political agendas instead of uniting the nation.
To describe what happened in Lusaka ” Xenophobia” is nothing but careless journalism and negligent talk but then again, Zambia has no journalists! The riots didn’t come out of the blue. People believed whether true or not that their fellow Zambians where barbarically killed by Rwandese. So it infuriates me when some people and their cheap propaganda sit here and compare what happened in SA to the riots that happened in Lusaka compounds and describe it as xenophobia.
Riots happen every where especially in places where youth have a lot of idle time. Zambians are by far not xenophobic!
The EIU must be in bed with HH. This sad episode was an isolated case, Zambia is not the only economy facing hard times. The EIU has got it wrong before so only a DUNDERHEAD will believe them, they should mind their own business and not be part of the problem.
As mentioned elements of UPND and ZWD had made comments on social media where they had tried to incite and encourage more violence.
2016 ECL nafuti
@ Vision2020
You sound so bitter even before the elections. If this report was compiled by LT or ZWD we’d have listened to you. How in normal thinking do you want to accuse a respected publication like the EIU because what they have commented on does not taste nice to you? Please see their site at: http://www.eiu.com/home.aspx . They report on over 200 countries independently.
Anyway, I guess in your thoughts Moody’s is also in bed with this HH fellow for downgrading the country as well, just all millers and fuel transporters are all HH supporters, how all the police are opposition sympathisers….
I’m sure your tribal trump card is worthless now!!
Looking forward to 11.08.16
You are a scared little creature iwe.All the perks will soon disappear ka? The PF gravy train is now officially a run away train..kikikikikiki
It is supposed to read 2020visioniless. Please let us be sincere with ourselves. What EUI and Ba Sebenza is nothing but the truth. And we need people like them not LCE who can mislead miners on the CB that no one is going to lose job/employement and upon leaving CB 4000 jobs were lost.
Uli shilu iwe musa………………..
Begin to work hard and emancipate from all the worries of losing a government job once Lungu is out.
These i.diots are hell bent on influencing the elections. What does the killings have to do with the economy? The lumens merely reacted to the killings and thugs took advantage. This won’t work.
And what does looting have to do with killings
U must be a foolish cantankerous ***** HH has nothing to do with this but why do u always think like Dora siliya?
@2020vision. You really must be scared of your job in the foreign service or funding from your PF parent. Relax it will be well even after PF leaves. God will take care of us all. It might not be this election but a time will come when they will leave. Just contribute to the development of Zambia without prejudice. These things are happening because the scenario is not right on the ground. Peace be with you and the rest of your friends.
@chalo the only thing. Iam scared of is seeing Zambia descend into a mindset of tribal bigotry, insults, violent extremism and incitement. These are clearly evident traits from UPND just look at your behaviour in the past week..
1) The fake violent document you presented to the media purporting to be authored by PF
2) Your continous attempts to incite violence on ZWD, other social media and creating a state of panic is very shocking and criminal behaviour at worst
3) Your insults and demeaning remarks against a sitting Head of state which even in the US can lead you in trouble- whether you like it or not President Lungu is the President of the nation and dosent deserve to be insulted
With these reasons why would any NORMAL THINKING person want UPND to rule? You only know how…
You came up with these reasons you are really visionless…
Amen
20/20 vision read Proverbs 29:2. Pray for your leader, people are suffering and they all not enjoying like you who is getting paid to comment. They have nothing and only live by God’s grace.
Has the president Lungu gone on tv to address the nation on these riots and looting? Big NO!
C-I-C has deployed soldiers to take care of internal security. That is very loud…
@Chalo sorry to dissapoint you but you are wrong to all the above..FYI I don’t work in the foreign service or any govt dept, I was a supporter of HE MCS even before he became President, I don’t have a govt loan, I’m not a supplier on a contract unlike your boss GBM, I’m not sponsored by the govt to study abroad like some of you ungrateful chaps with your insults that are busy praying that Zambia falls into problems and rejoice when you hear bad news.
Many of you evil minded scoundrels were insulting the govt of PF even when the dollar was at 5 so no matter what happens you will just be bitter because you are just hateful by nature.
2016 ECL nafuti
Hear yourself. In my opnion you are worse than Hitler. It is supposed to read 2020visioniless. Please let us be sincere with ourselves. What EUI and Ba Sebenza have said is nothing but the truth. And we need people like them not LCE who can mislead miners on the CB that no one is going to lose job/employement and upon leaving CB 4000 jobs were lost.
We 0202Visionless ikapansi we mulumendo. Ngachani? Ungate walanda agati muliviya mumutwe…musi nachimwi..
@CB have you ever read ZWD, 90 percent of the comments there are pure evil and aimed at causing a state of panic.
Speaking of Hitler, it was Hitler and the Nazis who made use of false publications such as the “Sons of Zion” which aimed at incitement against Jews something which your own friends in ZWD and extremist elements of UPND are experts at doing. The only Hitler here ba CB is you and your ZWD s.a.t.a.n.I.c fellow criminals so don’t cheat about being a former PF supporter you inciter of hate. See you on August 11.
2016 ECL nafuti
Then who are u mambala?
No 2020vision,
You are a liar. You are a benifactor of this corrupt PF missmangment before our very own eyes that is why you ate so worried of the truth which you equate to inciting violence.
It is not too late to repent.
As mentioned historically people vote for the ones they trust regardless of economic hardships, HH is not trustworthy material. A reject at the polls since 2006, what magic are the vulgar and evil minds of ZWD and extremist elements of UPND going to perform to win in August?? What a bunch of jokers..Magaret Thatcher was insulted during her tenureship as PM in the 80s but still the Brits voted for her more than once.
Speaking of Lthieves” what’s about your VJ, GBM,Masebo, Munkumbwe, William Banda eh today where are these “thieves” in UPND you ZWD DUNDERHEADs..August 2016 ni kolopa.com nafuti
2016 ECL nafuti
I really trusted and campaigned for MCS. He did not give the Outspoken Mulongoti any position in Govt. That was a very wise thing to do to people like Mulongoti. LCE has brought in the likes of Doraslit into Govt. Just changing colour from Blue to Green. See on 11/08/2016
Better tamed thieves than untamed armed robbers.
For those of u who are hating coz of this publication, let me tell u this, where there is social conflicts, im most but not all cases, the number 1 reason is hunger and economic hardship. Those who read social trends will agree with me. Even at unza, students mostly riot when meal allowance is delayed. Do u see a lot fighting and rioting in Kabulonga, New Kasama or PHI but in Kwa George, Ngombe, Chainda such conflicts easily arise, wht? You know the answer. This citizens are using their frustration against people who the probably envy or are easy prey.
I am in Lusaka and what u have said is true. Most of u commenting do not even know what is happening back here home….morons!
(somebody with significant learning difficulties and impaired social skills.)
Thats a lie, count the number of people per square kilometer in kabulonga and compare to the places you have mentioned. Even if there was hunger in kabulonga, they wouldnt riot because they are few and dont interact compared to compounds. Its not hunger that sparked these riots. Rumours and crowds played a role. Why are there no riots in villages? We Africans originate from village setups, is that where the riotious behaviour came from too?a
If the compounds you mentioned are hunger striken, to whom then do these foreigners sale? Marrying hunger and these riots does not make sense.
Yes there are economic challenges afflicting our people. But when all is said and done, the bottom line is that HH is not a viable alternative to Edgar Lungu. Yes among the millions of Zambians we can identify a leader better than Edgar, but that leader cannot be HH or any of the current crop of loud opposition politicians. HH is empty leadership material just riding on the back of economic challenges facing the people. That is not the same as true keadership. The Post and Mmembe have said so, Dr Musumali of Rainbow has said it too on many occasions. Read their analysis of HH.
Libange nshi upepele?
Very difficult to understand your motivation. Bottom line is Edgar is not fit for the job. He is a danger to our society. The fear of accountability, clean work environment, honesty are some of the reasons many of you are scared of the HH presidency. Of course besides the fact that you are tribalists. When Zambians came together to form Zambia they agreed to coexist and leadership would come from anywhere in the country. Our preoccupation should be to have credible leaders that will better our welfare collectively or inclusively. PF’s record is a disaster. All of us a suffering right now including those that supported Edgar besides a few that eat with him. So there is no benefit for me an ordinary person derived from Edgar’s continued stay in office. He is a danger to our security. His…
Prescribed symptoms based on a disease that occurs elsewhere is a very interesting way to explain the peculiarities of a particular society. Zambia is a highly conservative society and there is always the impatience of interpretation when institutions either fail to live up to a challenge or just go moribund as is the case with our police. Zambians faced with challenges will always interpret them in terms of superstition or religion and resort to solutions based on emotional fervor. This has been the case whether or not we have had economic challenges. I think this is a factor left out in this EIU report…
Many a true word mate. I know what you are saying. it is a shame a block or lass like Visionless0202 can’t see it.
The president must disclose his relationship with the government in Kigali and the private meeting he had in his recent visits to that country.. Who financed Lungu’s 2015 election campaign? Remember the trips to Kigali and Nigeria with RB? Can we connect the dots?
@James, so your thinking capacity only goes as far as smoking some green stuff? So what you doing trying to discuss things with normal people?
HH is not a people man, I dont understand why people cannot understand or see this simple fact. But of course his own dont see that problem. Let me illustrate with an example. Have you seen how UPND has been energised of late by the coming of GBM and other regions? Everything was flat in that party before that. However the problem is that GBM and others have energised UPND in senseless, socially unacceptable, murderous ways which will just make the UPND move from flat to unvotable by 11th August. But HH is basking in the limelight given to his party by GBM and other bembas without realising the dire consequences on his already low electoral…
Mwapwisha mwalanda? Have a good day and remember to go forward my brother.
“Many foreign nationals run thriving small businesses in townships and the central business district of Lusaka,
Nothing to do with the Economy back drop….Why cant more Zambians do the same, rather than play the blame game? “ubu nangani, na ku tenga chabe”, Dumb looters and ritual killer alike must all face punitive action, fuelling trouble like this to turn it into a Political circus, its a pathetic shame.
When I walk by Rutanda Coach station in Joburg, am screamed at “Kwere Kwere or Nigerian”, In my own home town of Lsk down Katondo St, am labelled a “Sene Sene” for my afrocentric African shirts, and in London, “Ati are you from Accra? What is the issue with the world screwed up mind, including the Bloody BBC?? Blinded Hate within all of us’
@Kasuli, you the man! Too much ignorance among some of our compatriots. Those who have had a chance to move would still say Zambia is very accommodating to foreigners and this incidence could have been avoided if police acted in good time to investigate and arrest the culprits.
Haha! I feel you @Kasuli. And in places less traveled by our skin tone it is either “Obama” or “Yaya Toure”…
ZAMBIANS,kill all those hutu refugees as they are stealing your wealth.They are not paying tax and all the money is being sent to FDLR to invade RWANDA. That is why PRESIDENT OF RWANDA PAUL KAGAME will do whatever you want so these people can be flush out ZAMBIA. Please kill those hutus
Zambians love and respect HE the president of Rwanda, Paul kagame.
Thank you.
When youve nothing to look forward to it feels good to riot and beat up people, these youths can easily be tricked into movements like terrorism and boko haram type activities, very easily you just wont believe it. Once that happens there is no country to talk about.
Zambians, please kill all these hutus who have been stealing your resources for so many years. They should be sent back home to be killed by PRESIDENT KAGAME who killed 6 million people in Congo. Hutu people are bad.All hutus fugitive should be killed in Zambia
@lilo like spaka/ wanzelu – but who are you trying to fool pretending to be a Rwandan?? You UPND cadre. You are the one trying to incite violence and this is now even more clearly evident..you stupidly forgot to delete your user name before typing your usual vitrual against other human beings.
I will report you to the police and file a report with Zicta immediately. The UK authorities should be informed they have an incitor of violence in their midst.
zambians respect kagame.
Hutu genocidal extremist like you who took part in the hacking of your fellow Rwandans deserve to rot in jail.
You are a refugee in the UK and I am now reporting you to the anti terrorist hotline for inciting genocide in Africa.
@spaka like lilohave you been to school? or you are a toilet cleaner in the UK? If that guy is a hutu from RWANDA,how could he wish his country men(hutu) be killed. He himself hutu? I think you are ignorant and uninformed. So go and tell Interpol to arrest him.
You are the same hutu extremist killer
There is no smoke without fire.
When PF cadres stop throwing stones they start xenophobic fire. It’s the natural order of things in their world of mediocrity.
This all point to weak intelli system these ritual killings are not new taxis drivers have gone no clue why?
Corruption,crime,tax avoidance etc shows the levels in intelligence system. the stronger the system the lower the corruption,crime etc it tells one how secure one is.
Our Zambian brothers have become savages. The Zambia of enviable social and ethnic cohesion that Kaunda built is no more. Ethnic tolerance, decency and civility that characterised Zambia is nothing but just history now. I have had the opportunity of visiting the copper belt a couple of times and the way Zambians treat their Congolese brothers from across the border is shocking. equally shocking is tribal intolerance amongst themselves. It is inevitable that soon (if its not already happening) that violent tribal clashes perhaps deteriorating into some genocide in the scale of Rwanda 94 will happen in Zambia.
Bongani, tell the truth. ZAMBIA is becoming better each day and peoplf from allover the world are migrating in thousands to Zambia.
What Kaunda left was a base for us Zambians to be respected and welcomed by other countries but no, all we have endured is hashness from you. We are not xenophobic like you. Not all foreigners were victimised but only those who own small shops. The reason was not because Zambians wanted to take over these shops but because of rumours that they are the ones behind these ritual killings. We have so far had good relations with these people and people only felt betrayed. We love and respect foreigners. Please when you come to Zambia respect our christian values and dont let us be your victims. We stand as one with respect for the blood that Zambia shed for both…
Bongani, tell the truth. ZAMBIA is becoming better each day and people from allover the world are migrating in thousands to Zambia.
What Kaunda left was a base for us Zambians to be respected and welcomed by other countries but no, all we have endured is hashness from you. We are not xenophobic like you. Not all foreigners were victimised but only those who own small shops. The reason was not because Zambians wanted to take over these shops but because of rumours that they are the ones behind these ritual killings. We have so far had good relations with these people and people only felt betrayed. We love and respect foreigners. Please when you come to Zambia respect our christian values and dont let us be your victims. We stand as one with respect for the blood that Zambia shed for both…
As for tribal conflicts Mr, we are at Zero and there will never be a posibility of that. Thanks to KK for the thousands of inter marriages we are eperiences. We boast of more than 72 tribes living in harmony. We are a rare nation in the whole earth! Thats why your eyes are on us. You thought we were becoming like you. The Rwandese are back in their shops in less than 48 hous and all is well.
Not even politics can draw a line between Zambians. We debate openly and family members support leaders of their choice. Anyone eyeing Zambian is looking in the right direction! Come and be part of our peace. Just respect our values and human life.
I am sorry to say but all you are doing ”Speak The TRUTH” is shamelessly NOT to speak the truth. You either living in denial of the rotting social fabric that Zambia is undergoing OR you are for reasons known to yourself TRYING to be deceitful. Zambians have incredibly become so tribalistic in ways so barbaric you can never understand what they are trying to achieve. You have lost your moral compass.