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GREEN Party Presidential Candidate Peter Sinkamba
GREEN Party president Peter Sinkamba says the decision by the President Edgar Lungu to evoke article 31 of the republican constitution will have adverse effects on the nation’s economy.
President Lungu in his address to the nation evoked article 31 of the constitution of Zambia so as to address the security situation due to some incidences of sabotage.
Mr. Lungu explained that government decided to invoke article 31 of the constitution empowers him to declare a state of public emergency if the situation of insecurity threatens national peace.
However, Mr Sinkamba says it is unfortunate that President Lungu’s move will deny Zambians their rights.
Mr Sinkamba said the fragile economy of the nation cannot afford the proclamation as a lot of sectors will suffer the consequences.
The opposition leader said the business community in the country will suffer loses especially those that are in the entertainment sector who he said contribute hugely to the Zambian economy.
“Certain business will have to suffer due to the declaration. This will mostly affect the bars owners and providers of entertainment. These groups contribute hugely to the economy. We should expect a lot of reduction in the reserves of the country,” Mr Sinkamba said.
He added that the consequences of emergency powers outweighs the benefits hence there was need for government to command the Zambia Army, Zambia National Service and the Zambia Police to increase security but still allow people to enjoy their freedom.
“The President declared a state of threatened emergency under article 31 of the republican constitution, this means that the President can enforce emergency powers that will empower him to come with regulations that will authorize searches without warrants, restrictions of movement.
“He (President Lungu) can also authorize the police to conduct other duties which the president feels are necessary under the act,” he said.
Mr Sinkamba further added that the tourism sector will be affected by the proclamation because foreign tourists want entertainment and freedom of movement and not harassment from the local police.
“As Green party we feel that the emergency powers proclamation was unnecessary because we could still deal with cases of arson, anarchy and mischief from various people in the communities with ordinary laws not the emergency laws. Donors also tend to withdraw during such times and our fragile economy will not with stand this,” he said.
Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) Executive Director (Ag) Wesley Chibamba has said TI-Z is proud to usher in a new Board of Directors.
Chibamba revealed that TIZ held its 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday at Fatmols Lodge which saw the election of a new board.
He said TIZ prides itself in practicing the principles of good corporate Governance as evidenced by its ability to conduct board elections as they fall due.
Chibamba noted that it is the belief of TIZ that it is imperative to stick to the principles of good governance especially where ushering in leadership is concerned.
He congratulated the new board of Directors for their election to the board and the new board is comprised of Mr. Rueben Lifuka (Chapter President or Board Chair), Professor Kavwanga Yambayamba (Vice President/Chair), Buumba Kaunga (Treasurer), Professor Lewis Bwalya Chilufya (Committee Member), Dr. Douty Chibamba (Committee Member), Mr. Adam Daka (Committee Member), and Mr. Mulenga Shula (Committee Member)
“We are proud to usher in a new Board of Directors today the 7th July of 2017” Chibamba said
President Edgar Lungu talks Vice President Mrs Inonge Wina at KKinternational airport before he left for Addis AbabaVICE-PRESIDENT Inonge Wina has condemned people spreading falsehoods to the international community that Zambia is in a state of emergency with the aim of tarnishing the country’s image.
And Mrs Wina has urged political party leaders, including those in the Patriotic Front, to be careful in their selection of words when talking about certain things to avoid inciting people to engage in activities which are in conflict with the norms of society.
Mrs Wina told Parliament yesterday that it is unfortunate that people denting the country’s image are Zambians who know the implications which such propaganda could have on the nation.
She was responding to a question from Bwana Mkubwa member of Parliament (MP) Jonas Chanda (PF), who wanted know what Government is doing about those denting Zambia’s image to the international community.
“This propaganda will really damage investment opportunities in this country. I don’t know whether the people doing this realise the implication of their actions,” Mrs Wina said.
She said people should appreciate the fact that it is rare for a President to seek the mandate of MPs before making certain orders to address issues at hand.
Mrs Wina said if he wanted, President Lungu could have just declared a state of emergency but he chose to use the law to invoke Article 31 of the Constitution, which requires Parliament’s ratification.
She said President Lungu did this because he is a man of laws, a democrat and a God-fearing person.
“I don’t know what Zambians may be looking for in a President. Maybe they want someone arrogant or a bulldozer,” Mrs Wina said.
She said protecting the good image of the country is every Zambian’s responsibility and not only the government.
Mrs Wina also urged political party leaders to be careful with the words they use when talking about certain issues to avoid inciting young people to misbehave.
She was answering a question from Chitambo MP Remember Mutale (PF) who wanted to know if government has plans to bring to book politicians who said there would be Armageddon in the country if they lost last year’s elections.
And Mrs Wina said government will not rush to conclusions about who could be behind the fires and other acts of sabotage witnessed in the country recently but will wait for the police to complete their investigations.
And Mrs Wina has urged the suspended United Party for National Development MPs to be mindful that Zambia has a duly elected President who deserves respect as they go back to the House.
Mrs Wina said as they show respect to her as leader of government business in the House, the opposition legislators should bear in mind that she was President Lungu’s running-mate in last year’s general elections.
The Unfinished Building at the Junction of Katondo Street and Freedom Way in Lusaka whose construction started in 1986
MINISTER of Local Government Vincent Mwale told Parliament on Thursday that the unfinished building at the junction of Katondo Street and Freedom Way in Lusaka’s central business district has remained in that state for a long time because of a series of litigations.
Mr Mwale was responding to a question from Milenge member of Parliament (MP) Mwansa Mbulakulima (PF) who wanted to know why the building has remained incomplete for a long time.
Mr Mbulakulima also wanted to know the owner of the building and the way forward about the structure which poses a threat to life.
“Madam Speaker, the delay in completing the construction of the building in question has been caused by a series of litigations. The structure was originally owned by Zambia State Insurance Corporation which later sold it to Royal Lutanda Company Limited in 2001,” Mr Mwale said.
The minister assured the House that the owners of the building will resume construction works as soon as issues of litigations and financing are finished.
Government has engaged Interpol and other international security agencies on the possible extradition of Zambians in the diaspora who are harming the country through social media.
Vice President Inonge Wina told Parliament yesterday that government is signing an agreement with some countries to ensure that they do not continue keeping undesirable characters causing damage to Zambia.
Mrs Wina was responding to a question from Chinsali member of Parliament (MP) Halalwe Mukosa (PF), who wanted to know if government is considering extraditing Zambians living in foreign countries who are inciting sabotage through social media.
“We are in discussion with these countries to ensure that they deport people who are doing damage to our country. The country will be informed as soon as there will be some development on this matter,” she said.
United Party for National Development advisor and social media campaign coordinator Larry Mweetwa applauded the burning of Lusaka City Market few minutes after the fire broke out on Tuesday.
Mr Mweetwa, who is based in the United Kingdom, said on his Facebook page that such acts of destruction should be continued.
“Job well done bane. Let us intensify such acts,” said Mr Mweetwa, who is also believed to be a strategist for the opposition political party.
He attributed the burning of the market to the arrest of treason-charged opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema.
“Zambia is on fire as I speak due to the arrest of HH,” he said.
Mr Mweetwa later claimed his Facebook account had been hacked.
Meanwhile, Vice President Inonge Wina says damage to property experienced in the country in the last few months should serve as an eye-opener to security wings to always be on alert to prevent acts of sabotage.
Mrs Wina said this yesterday when she chaired the first meeting for the committee of ministers that President Lungu has constituted to help victims that lost goods and property worth millions of Kwacha at the gutted Lusaka City Market.
“We are expected to examine avenues that will result in the quickest recovery of the markets to help the victims resume their businesses. I expect total participation from all the committee members in championing the plight of the affected traders,” she said.
Mrs Wina said the committee is expected to mobilise resources to help the affected traders as Government did not budget for the disaster in question.
And making a presentation on the assessment done, Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) national co-ordinator Patrick Kangwa said 1,319 stands were guttered while 1,911 were not affected by the inferno.
Mr Kangwa said some stalls at the gutted market were looted in the process and that business activities could be allowed to be conducted in the part which was not affected by the inferno.
He, however, said electricity and water supply which had been interrupted could be a challenge.
Mr Kangwa said the affected traders are submitting their particulars and details of property they lost in the fire.
She said a Zambian citizen identified as Micheal Ngondwe has donated K1,500 to the affected victims through DMMU and has urged other stakeholders to come on board.
And Minister of Local Government Vincent Mwale told the committee three alternative places had been identified for the affected traders.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services and Chief Government Spokesperson kampamba MulengaMINISTER of Information and Broadcasting Services Kampamba Mulenga says Government is working with the Zambia Information and Communication Technology (ZICTA) and Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to curb the spread of fake news on various social media platforms.
Ms Mulenga, who is chief government spokesperson, told journalists in Lusaka yesterday that the move is aimed at protecting the peace and security of the country.
She is saddened by growing trend by some unpatriotic Zambians who disseminate fake news on social media platforms with potential to harm the country.
Ms Mulenga said her ministry and that of Transport and Communication will, through ZICTA, ensure perpetrators of fake news are brought to book.
“If you love your country and you want the truth, we have print and broadcast media. Those online media publishing fake news which is reaching the international community do not love this country,” she said.
Ms Mulenga urged the people not to rely on news on social media but to ensure they verify whatever information they come across on such platforms for them to be well-informed and make informed decisions.
She said it is the duty of every Zambia to be patriotic and defend the country.
Zesco United and Al Hilal Obeid’s final Group C match in the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup has been cancelled.
This following the Sudan Football Associations’ suspension from all football activities by CAF on July 6.
Furthermore, Obied arrived in Zambia on the date FIFA announced the Sudan FA’s suspension.
Obied also arrived in Zambia after already securing their qualification from Group C with a game to spare on 10 points heading into their final game away at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium against 2nd placed Zesco.
“Consequently, El Hilal El Obeid club is not allowed to participate in CAF matches and it’s disqualified from CAF interclub competitions in accordance to FIFA’s decision. The aforementioned match is hereby cancelled and will not take place as scheduled. The final situation of Group C of the competition will be announced soon,” the CAF communique read in part.
Zesco have 7 points, CRD Libolo of Angola who have 6 points heading into their final Group C home game in Calulo against bottom placed Smouha on July 9.
Smouha of Egypt have 5 points.
Meanwhile,Zesco will still be in action this Sunday and host Forest Rangers in a FAZ Super Division Week 16 Ndola derby clash that was earlier postponed due to their Confederation Cup obligations.
Green Party members displays their campaign messages
MINISTER OF HEALTH CHITALU CHILUFYA’S BEHAVIOUR ON MEDICINAL MARIJUANA IN PARLIAMENT IS SHOCKING AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL
The Green Party is extremely shocked with the Minister of Health Honorable Chitalu Chilufya’s Ministerial Statement on medical cannabis in Parliament yesterday. It is our considered view that Hon Chitalu’s attitude towards medical cannabis laws, on the floor of the House, contravened Article 5(1) of the Constitution of Zambia, and was therefore unconstitutional and illegal.
Article 5(1) clearly stipulates that the Sovereign authority vests in the people of Zambia. This authority may be exercised directly or through elected or appointed representatives or institutions. Therefore, when the people of Zambia, through their representatives in parliament pass a law, no minister must have the audacity to impugn the will of the people. No minister should cherry-pick that which the people of Zambia decided through their representative in parliament. Any such impunity is therefore unconstitutional and illegal.
It is our considered view that Hon Chitalu’s attitude towards medical cannabis laws, on the floor of the House, contravened Article 5(1) of the Constitution of Zambia, and was therefore unconstitutional and illegal.
It is shocking that Hon Chilufya decided to contradict what the Minister of Home Affairs Hon. Steven Kampyongo informed the House in a Ministerial Statement on the debate surrounding the legalization of medicinal cannabis in February this year. The Hon Kampyongo stated that there are two laws passed by parliament that provide for use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Hon Kampyongo cited Section 9 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act Cap 96 of the Laws of Zambia as one of the laws which provide for cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes. He further stated that in order for one to do so, it was imperative that they obtain lawful authority, failure to which, one commits an offence.
Furthermore, Hon Kampyongo provided guidance on where to obtain the lawful authority. He guided that in terms of Section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act, Cap 95 of the Laws of Zambia, it was the Minister of Health authorized to issue licence for cultivation and use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. He clarified that the mandate of the Drug Enforcement Commission was to enforce the laws and not to issue licenses for persons intending to cultivate cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Disappointingly, the Minister of Health Hon Chitalu Chilufya issued an impunity Statement in Parliament yesterday stating his ministry will not issue any licenses for cultivation of cannabis for medicinal or any other purposes.
As the Green Party, we are extremely disappointed that a minister can have the audacity to cherry-pick which laws to enforce and which laws to illogically ignore, even when duly advised by a fellow Cabinet Minister on the floor of the House through a Ministerial Statement.
In this regard, as the Green Party, we now have no option but to seek legal redress in the Constitutional Court. First, we will petition the Court seek to establish the constitutionality of Hon Chitalu’s behaviour to cherry-pick which laws to abide by and which laws to impugn. Secondly, we will seek to establish whether it is constitutional for the Minister to willfully deny the people of Zambia a choice of medicines which are lawfully legislated. Thirdly, we will seek to establish whether it is constitutional for the Minister to aggravate the suffering of people of Zambia by denying them an opportunity to access and use cheap alternative medicines.
Finally, we will seek to establish whether it is constitutional for the Minister to unreasonably deny the Green Party a business opportunity, when pursuant to Article 10 of the Constitution of Zambia, Government is obligated to create an economic environment which encourages individual initiative and self-reliance among the people, so as to promote investment, employment and wealth. Furthermore, Article 10 obligates Government to promote the economic empowerment of citizens so that they contribute to sustainable economic growth and social development. Green Party members have been willfully denied by the Minister of Health of a lucrative economic empowerment opportunity running in billions of dollars, contrary to the constitution.
We will therefore be filing a multi-billion dollar suit against Government in the Constitutional Court next week.
The Zambia Police Service has announced that it will with immediate effect impound all unregistered motor vehicles countrywide.
In a statement made available to the media, Zambia Police said that it will only allow those motor vehicles that are in transit to be driven on Zambian roads and should, as per requirement, be accompanied by relevant documents.
Below is the full statement
BANNING OF UNREGISTERED AND FOREIGN REGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLES
The Zambia Police Service has banned the use of unregistered motor vehicles countrywide. Only those motor vehicles that are in transit will be allowed to be driven on Zambian roads and should as per requirement be accompanied by relevant documents. Police officers have been directed to impound motor vehicles moving without registrations forthwith.
Furthermore, all motor vehicles within the country bearing foreign number plates and being driven by Zambians without any justifiable reason have also been banned and if found, they will be impounded.
We urge members of the public to comply and help the police in safeguarding peace and security of the country.
ESTHER MWAATA KATONGO ZAMBIA POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
President Edgar LunguPRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has said that he was sworn to defend life and property as a primary responsibility.
Speaking when he unveiled a $548 million ZCCM-IH Cement Plant , the president said that that he will not tolerate irresponsible behaviour that undermines business confidence.
“I am sworn to defend life and property. That is my primary responsibility as President. When we build like this we shall not allow lawless individuals to take us backwards,” President Lungu said.
“Investors believe in us, we believe in them too and that is why we are resolute on maintaining and improving the business operating environment.”
He stressed that Zambia is safe for business and also safe for law abiding citizens.
President Lungu noted that the measures he has taken to curb acts of economic sabortage should only worry wrong doers.
The head of state who is also party President noted that the Patriotic Front is a pro poor government committed to creating tangible wealth and jobs for many Zambians in line with its manifesto.
The President said that the commissioned $548 million project in conjunction with Sinoconst of China will increase competition in the previous monopolized industry and further stabilise cement prices and a desired drop in prices.
The commissioned plant will also have two 20 mega watts coal fired thermal power plants to power the facility and the surplus power will be sold to Zesco thus cushioning Zesco’s stress.
Meanwhile, NEELKANTH Chairman Mr Patel has praised President Edgar Lungu’s continued zeal to maintain peace and order in the country noting that it is the backbone of every nations development.
Speaking during the launch in Ndola, Mr Patel, noted that it is the continued peace and serenity that has continued to attract them as investors.
“Today we are commissioning this project because of the good investment policy and the continued peace in the country if Zambia was not peaceful we wouldn’t be setting up such structures,” Mr Patel said
Mr Patel also thanked President Lungu for gracing the event noting that it assures governments support to the private sector.
“Your Excellency your vision to better the lives of every Zambian especially the rural section is being seen through you robust support in various projects across the country that are in the rural part of the country, and the people of Masaiti are happy because the establishment of this company will help in bettering their lives through employment creation especially for the youths in this area,” Mr Patel said.
“Your Excellency Sir setting up this company will also generate forex as Zambia will no longer need to export copper to make cables but will begin to produce cables locally and will be exporting finished products, sir this company will be producing about 2000 metric tones of copper cables which is a good number to export as a finished product.”
And Copperbelt Provincial Minister Bowman Lusambo has thanked Neelkanth copper cable company for helping government in realising the vision to industrialise the rural part of the country.
“It’s amazing to see that the private sector has come on board in helping government realise the vision of having an industrialised economy and country because it’s only through such the country will develop at a faster rate,” said Lusambo.
Mr Andrew Milambo, Mrs Hildah Kazela , Lafarge Zambia CEO Mr Vincent Bouckaert, Mr Willard Bulaya , Mr Olande Phiri, Lafarge Sale and Marketing Manager Mangaza Phiri and Lafarge CFO Mrs Chrissie
Lafarge Zambia, awarded the Timange Ma Bondi Promotion overall prizes to the four lucky winners. The total prize value of K1 million made up of residential plots, house designs, bill of quantities and 400 bags of cement went to Andrew Milamboof Lusaka, Willard Bulaya of Solwezi, Hildah Kazela of Lusaka and, Olande Phiri of Ndola. Speaking when handing over the prizes at Lafarge Head office in Chilanga today, Lafarge Chief Executive Officer Mr. Vincent Bouckaert congratulated all the winners stating that the success of the campaign was owed to the participants, customers and the participating outlets countrywide. “I also wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the instant prize winners as well as the Grand prize winners. The success of the campaign is owed to the participants, the end users as well as the participating outlets for making sure that the campaign was promoted throughout the entire period”, he said. Mr. Bouckaert further said that the competition was one of Lafarge Zambia’s corporate social responsibilities initiatives aimed at empowering end users to build their house and he was happy that it is a success. He said Lafarge’s objective remains that of improving the welfare of the people in society and Timange Ma bondi promotion had contributed to this. Speaking after receiving the prizes the four winners said they are happy to win the prizes as they would be able to build their houses because almost everything was given to them to start building. The Timange Ma Bondi promotion was managed by an independent company, Intarget, and the results were audited and verified by the independent auditor, Ernst and Young. The Promotion ran for 3 months specifically from 20 February 2017 to 20 May 2017 at the following outlets Builders Market, Badat Agencies,Checkers , Nkosejo, Cary Mac, Mist Developers, House of Luanshya, Bubu Trading, Sparrow Investments, Jagruti, National Building Supplies, Cpaess ,F&K Trading, Micmar, Handyman, Brii Ozi , Royal Gene, Kalobwe , Rift Valley and Rockline. Over the course of the campaign there were 1,800 winners who walked away with a total of 9,000 bags of cement as instant prizes.
Winner Olande Phiri (left) receiving his prize.Winner Hildah Kazela (centre) receiving her prize.Winner Andrew Milambo (left) receiving his prize.Winner Willard Bulaya (left) receiving his prize.
Loud and Clear-Green Party members advocate for legalisation of MarijuanaHealth Minister Dr. Chitalu Chilufya has said that his ministry has no intention of issuing any license to allow the cultivation of Marijuana for medicinal purposes.
Dr. Chitalu told parliament in a ministerial statement that following a statement issued earlier this year by Home Affairs Minister Steven Kampyongo that the law provides for the cultivation of marijuana for medicinal purposes, his ministry has been overwhelmed with applications from people seeking licenses.
Dr. Chilufya says despite the fact that marijuana can be used for medicinal purposes, his ministry has no intentions at the moment of issuing Marijuana Cultivation licenses due to its impact on human health and social areas.
Dr. Chitalu explained that while marijuana is used for chronic pain conditions, nausea patients, epilepsy and other common conditions, there are other drugs available on the market that can treat the same ailments that medical marijuana can treat.
Dr. Chitalu said that the alternatives on the market are even safer compared to using medicinal marijuana.
Dr. Chitalu added that there was no good and convincing reason why the government can give out marijuana cultivation licenses when there are other alternatives to using medicinal marijuana.
resident Lungu Chats with Vice President Inonge Wina at KK international airport 5
Vice President Inonge Wina disclosed that the powers invoked by President Edgar Lungu will be outlined once Parliament has approved the emergency measures the head of state wants to take to arrest the current security situation in the country.
She told parliament during the vice president’s question time that she could not disclose what measures are being taken at the moment in order not to preempt the investigative channels being put in place by government.
Ms Wina however, stated that consideration had been made to include other security wings in curbing cases of arson.
Meanwhile the vice president has said that President Lungu has shown that he is a democrat and respects the law by following the law in invoking article 31 and asking for parliament’s approval.
She said that in some countries the President would have simply declared a state of emergency.
Ms Wina also said that the security forces are pursuing former western province Police Commissioner Fanwell Siandenge for allegedly staging a robbery of ballot boxes together with former Lusaka province minister Obvious Mwaliteta and some UPND members.
The vice president was responding to a question by Lunte Member of Parliament Mutotwe Kafwaya who wanted to find out the progress made in arresting the former senior police officer.
President Lungu addresses journalists at State House
The opposition National Restoration Party (NAREP) says had President Edgar Lungu recognized and acknowledged that there was political tension in the country the situation could have been diffused in time.
NAREP Spokesperson Bwalya Nondo has told QTV News that his party even wrote letters to President Lungu and the UPND asking the two parties to come to terms with what was prevailing in the country.
Mr. Nondo noted that the Head of State has on several occasions refused to accept that there is political tension in the country.
He wondered why the President has now taken strict security measures if there is no tension in the country.
Mr Nondo says NAREP feels there is need for an urgent Political Indaba before things spiral out of control.
He states that avoiding dialogue or any other formidable form of engagement will not help resolve the political situation in the country
President Lungu addresses journalists at State House
By Nic Cheeseman
For 24 hours rumours swirled through Zambia that President Edgar Lungu planned to institute a state of emergency.
When he finally took to the airwaves to make a special announcement he did something different. Invoking Article 31 of the constitution– Declaration Relating to Threatened Emergency – rather than Article 30 – Declaration of Public Emergency – the president requested extra powers to prevent a state of emergency rather than actually declaring one.
In practice, the difference between the two is slim. If, as expected, parliament approves his request he will have been given considerably more powers. He will be able to restrict movement of assembly, implement a curfew, curtail parliament, ban publications, order detention without trial, and search any property without a search warrant. As respected Zambian commentator Sishuwa Sishuwa has put it, this is effectively a “State of Threatened Emergency”.
The president’s decision to go with Article 31 is significant for a number of reasons. The first is that it allows the Zambian government to ward off criticism by being able to argue that it has not declared a state of emergency.
This is important because the Patriotic Front regime is in the process of negotiating a much needed economic bail out with the International Monetary Fund.
Presenting its authoritarian backsliding in a more palatable way is therefore extremely valuable. By opting for Article 31, Lungu hopes to have his cake and eat it. He will have secured powers to consolidate his political control while generating “plausible deniability” to whether or not he has fatally undermined Zambian democracy.
To some extent this strategy has been successful. Initial Facebook and twitter conversations about how the measure could be reversed quickly gave way to confusion and arguments about what the president had actually declared, and what it meant.
Why did Lungu do it?
The official reason behind the president’s request for extra powers is a spate of civil disobedience and arson that has seen a number of markets burnt down. The immediate trigger was a fire that destroyed the country’s largest, the City Market in Lusaka.
But the president’s claim to simply be acting in the interests of law and order has been fiercely contested by critics. Instead, opposition leaders allege that the government has been either taking advantage of natural fires or deliberately starting them to justify the extension of authoritarian control.
This claim is lent credibility by the fact that the investigation of the City Market fire had only just begun when the decision to expand the president’s powers was taken. Rumours circulating in Zambia suggest that in fact it resulted from an electrical fault rather than sabotage.
If this is true, it raises the question of what lies behind Lungu’s increasingly aggressive strategy. Three overlapping explanations are circulating, all of which have a degree of plausibility.
The first is that it’s simply another way of intimidating the opposition. In addition to arresting United Party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema, popularly known as HH, the government has tried various ways to clamp down on opposition to its rule. This has included the suspension of 48 opposition MPs.
And fears that Hichilema might be acquitted by the High Court, and subsequently released, are said to explain the timing of the president’s statement.
The second is that the president faces serious challenges within the Patriotic Front, where some question his suitability to lead. In addition to rumours that he is in bad health, this makes him potentially more vulnerable to internal opposition than to the challenge of the main opposition party. On this interpretation, Lungu’s appropriation of extra powers is designed as a warning to his rivals within the party to back off.
Finally, some see his decision as being motivated by his desire to secure a third term in office when his current term ends in 2021. The legality of this is questionable, and the move is fiercely opposed by opposition parties.
On their own, none of these claims fully explains why Lungu has opted for such a controversial move when IMF negotiations are at a delicate stage. In reality it may be that the president’s actions are explained by some combination of all three – or indeed, an alternative explanation that has not yet come to light.
What happens next?
There’s confusion about exactly where Lungu intends to go from here. In a presidential address in the last hour his stance appeared to harden, rejecting international criticism and stating that: “If they [IMF] think I am going astray, let them go.”
According to Nicole Beardsworth, a senior researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand’s Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, Lungu’s declaration will give him additional powers. Moreover, if his statutory instrument is approved by Parliament, it can be extended for a period of months.
This would seem to give the president all the time and powers he would need to further cow internal and external opposition, although it’s still possible that he will seek to apply a full state of emergency.
What may prevent this from happening is concern within the cabinet that such a move would be unnecessary and counterproductive. Not all leaders of the Patriotic Front agree with the direction that Lungu is taking his country in. Push back in a cabinet meeting is said to have prevented an even more forceful declaration.
Given the president’s new found capacity to control the media and intimidate the opposition, these internal constraints may prove to be Zambia’s best hope of avoiding dictatorship.
The Author is a Professor of Democracy at University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom
