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M’membe, Writes to President Hichilema on the setting up of an AFRICOM office in Zambia

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M’membe, Writes to President Hichilema on the setting up of an AFRICOM office in Zambia

President of the Socialist Party Fred M’membe has written a letter to republican President Hakainde Hichilema requesting him to rethink and cancel the agreement that has been signed concerning the setting up of an AFRICOM office in Zambia, saying the agreement cannot be in the interest of the Zambian and African masses.

In a letter published on his Facebook page, Dr M’membe also requested the president make the signed agreement available to the Zambian public so people can make an informed judgement about what the agreement entails.

Below is the full content of the letter

June 24, 2022
Mr Hakainde Hichilema
President of the Republic of Zambia
State House
Lusaka

Dear President Hichilema,

Re: The setting up of an AFRICOM office in Zambia

It is now public knowledge that the United States Department of Defence (DoD) is about to set up an Office for Security Cooperation at the Mission in Lusaka and that you have been party to its facilitation.

1. According to the United States doctrine document of 2017 that provides the policy context under which AFRICOM operates, “Security Cooperation encompasses all DoD interests, programs, and activities with foreign security forces (FSF) and their institutions to build relationships that help promote US interests, enable partner nations to provide the US access to territory, infrastructure, information and resources; and/or to build and apply their capacities consistent with US defence objectives”.

2. Subsequently, the tasks of AFRICOM as outlined by General Steven Townsend are:
(i) Maintaining America’s strategic access and influence,
(ii) To counter threats to the United States that emanate from Africa,
(iii) To counter narratives from China and Russia – United States’ strategic competitors,
(iv) To respond to crises – humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, threats to US embassies.

Given this understanding of the doctrine behind “Security Cooperation” and the tasks of AFRICOM, it is a serious mistake to go ahead with the setting up of the planned office. “Security Cooperation” is a United States imperialist agenda and AFRICOM is a tool for its execution.

Since its creation, AFRICOM has slowly increased its creep throughout the continent, establishing agreements with countries like Niger, Ghana, Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal and a host of others to use airfields and bases to refuel aircraft, deploy troops and conduct surveillance operations. These sorts of technical agreements and outposts are what anthropologist David Vine and others refer to as “lily-pad” bases. According to Joeva Rock (2018), recent intelligence suggests that there are about two-dozen “lily-pads” across 20 African countries.

Even though in collaboration with national, international and regional partners, AFRICOM conducts Military Information Support Operations (MISO) to support the US Department of Defence’s communication efforts specifically designed to improve regional stability and security cooperation. Critical information provided by these partners, which goes a long way to be beneficial to counterterrorism operations or contributes to the force protection of the US, is not reciprocated, aside from limited non-lethal assistance. So far, AFRICOM’s operations, exercises and security cooperation assistance programmes with African governments have supported US Government foreign policy in areas of trade, economy and defence, and do so primarily through military-to-military activities and assistance programmes rather than yielding dividends to the cooperative countries.

In the follow-up discussions that arose after the official announcement of the setting up of the Office for Security Cooperation, both the US Mission and your Minister of Defence unsuccessfully belaboured to make a distinction between the setting-up a “military base” and an “office”.

Ironically, this is the same argument that has been used in all other countries where US military presence became a reality. Since the setting up of bases is politically problematic, as evidenced by the resistance of the African masses since 2008, the setting up of offices and other “soft approaches” (joint military exercises, training support, scholarships, disinformation campaigns, etc) have become the preferred hybrid approaches for AFRICOM. These approaches are the “Trojan horses” that allow and enable a scope creep that is politically easier to manage. With such approaches, public resentment is moderated and AFRICOM can achieve its objectives with minimum public resistance.

The example of Ghana helps to elucidate this fact. When Ghanaians protested against AFRICOM presence, the US Mission in that country categorically stated, “We are NOT setting up a base in the country.” The arrangement was described as a mere “Status of Forces Agreement”. Through this agreement the US military (and its civilian and contractor force) are allowed “unimpeded” access to already existing facilities, notably Kotoka International Airport in Accra and/or Takoradi Airport, as well as others appointed either for exclusive or joint use. The agreement further allows for (i) training; (ii) transit; (iii) support and related activities; (iv) refuelling of aircraft; (v) landing and recovery of aircraft, accommodation of personnel; (vi) communications; (vii) staging and deploying of forces and material; and (viii) humanitarian and disaster relief exercises within these designated facilities. Today, there is a base at Takoradi (Ghana’s oil city and home to Halliburton and Kosmos Energy; US companies), where AFRICOM has access to deploy “rapid reaction forces across the continent”. Additionally, AFRICOM hosts courses at the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre in Accra. It also holds joint training with Ghanaian armed forces and conducts missions referred to as “humanitarian”.

The example of Ghana and many others points to a stark reality: We MUST NOT trust any military arrangements made with the US on our continent. The imperialist interests of the US cannot be similar to those of the African masses. If anything, it is a new form of enslaving our continent – and you, Mr President, should not go down in history as having been a party to this.

Since gaining independence in 1964, Zambia has followed a non-aligned approach in its military doctrine and foreign policy. This is about our existence, dignity and sovereignty. Non-alignment has allowed Zambia to avoid the trappings of big-power global politics. The relative peace our country has enjoyed is to a large extent because we chose to be non-aligned in a world that was dangerously divided.

As the geopolitical landscape moves towards a multipolar world, it becomes even more important that Zambia acts with great caution in how it navigates this landscape. The step you have taken on AFRICOM is therefore retrogressive and has the potential to diplomatically isolate Zambia in the region as well as endanger the security of our people in the medium and long term. Zambia and our defence forces MUST NOT be used to:

– Maintain United States’ imperialist economic and political access and influence,
– Serve as battleground to counter threats to the United States that emanate from Africa,
– Counter narratives from China and Russia. These two countries are not our enemies. If anything, they have been on our side when our continental liberation required support and also when Zambian security was at stake.
– Play a role in AFRICOM’s double-edged sword of humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and other responses.

We therefore sincerely request you to:

1. Rethink and cancel the agreement that has been signed. It cannot be in the interest of the Zambian and African masses.
2. Make the signed agreement available to the Zambian public so people can make an informed judgement about what it entails.

Fred M’membe,
President of the Socialist Party

Emmanuel Mwamba wonders why Mumbi Phiri has not been brought before the court

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Emmanuel Mwamba wonders why Mumbi Phiri has not been brought before the court

Patriotic Front (PF) Member of the Central Committee and Deputy Chairperson of Information and Publicity, Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba has expressed concern that former PF Deputy Secretary-General, Mumbi Phiri has not been presented before the High Court, 133 days after she was arrested.

Speaking at the Supreme Court Grounds earlier today, Mr Mwamba wondered why Mumbi Phiri has not been brought before the court.

He said this was contrary to frequent assertions by President Hakainde Hichilema who says police must avoid arrests until thorough investigations were completed or that matters must be brought before court promptly.

Mr Mwamba said the law should not be used to oppress political opponents or be used for retribution or vengeance.

And Amb. Mwamba has also expressed concern about the arrest of a lawyer hired by the Patriotic Front to disburse campaign funds to pay media houses and other service providers during the run-up to the August 12th Elections.

He said there is no law in Zambia obliging a political party to disclose campaign funds or to be regulated on the use of electoral campaign funds.

He said the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) was abusing the laws on anti-money laundering and proceeds of crime and were abusing it to tackle the issue of electoral campaign funds.

On Monday, the DEC arrested Lusaka Lawyer, Anna Mwitwa of Anna Mwitwa Legal Practitioners on charges of being in possession of property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.

But Mr Mwamba said all these actions by the DEC were designed to cripple the Patriotic Front and punish whoever was associated with the former ruling party.

He said it is for this reason that the DEC had also seized campaign vehicles of the party across the country in a clear move meant to paralyze the operations of the Patriotic Front.

He urged the DEC not to be an active tool of oppression of the UPND and its desire to destroy the Patriotic Front which is an active participant in the democratic process in Zambia.

Chavuma residents appeal for speedy works on the pontoon

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Chavuma residents appeal for speedy works on the pontoon

Residents of Chavuma district in North-Western province are earnestly appealing to government to work on the Zambezi River pontoon which has not been operational for over four months.

Making the appeal on behalf of the residents, District Commissioner, Geoffrey Kasonda said the situation has led to people on the west bank being cut off from the rest of the district.

Mr Kasonda said the non-functional pontoon has negatively impacted on government department’s service delivery and other public service providers to the people in the west bank.

“The area is now inaccessible making it very difficult to take service especially in the health and education sector,” he said

Mr Kasonda said if not addressed, the situation will affect the smooth implementation of the forth coming Census on population and the general certificate examinations in terms of delivering materials.

Meanwhile the District Commissioner has further appealed to government to complete the construction of the stalled projects in the district such as the police station and the subordinate court as well as equipping the new district hospital with necessary equipment.

Responding to the concerns, North-western Province Permanent Secretary, Grandson Katambi said government is aware of many challenges people in the region are facing such as poor road network and assured that the issues are receiving the  much needed attention.

Col. Katambi has further assured people in the district that soon a team of engineers will be tasked to do an assessment on the malfunctioned pontoon and work on it.

Mwape Laments Shepolopolo’s Stinging Defeat to Uganda

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Coach Bruce Mwape has lamented Shepolopolo’s 5-0 loss to Uganda in a practice match played in Morocco last evening.

Both Uganda and Zambia are preparing for next week’s Women’s Africa Cup to be hosted by Morocco.

In a post match interview with FAZ Media, Mwape said the 5-0 result is not a true reflection of the practice match.

Mwape accepted that Zambia made many mistakes against Uganda that must be corrected.

He said some players could have underrated Uganda after posting a 1-1 draw against Morocco in their first friendly match.

“That is why we are having friendly games so now we know who I am supposed to play when the friend (team mate) is not there. Actually, the result does not reflect the game. The result is not a true reflection of the game. Like I have said ok we played the game. It was just that we made a lot of mistakes. We will try and correct the mistakes,” Mwape said.

“The previous two games, especially the first one against Morocco, we played well and we were technically disciplined. I don’t know whether the players thought Morocco was a very strong team. Some of them would have underrated Uganda. If only we can play the way we played against Morocco then we will go very far. We will try correcting the mistakes that we made this evening and I am sure they will be able to polish up,” he said.

The result was Shepolopolo’s first loss in their pre-tournament games after drawing 1-1 with WAFCON hosts Morocco on June 8 in Rabat and beating club side FC Phoenix Marrakech on June 25 in Marrakech.

The team now head back to training for the final countdown ahead of their July 3 Group B opener against Cameroon in Casablanca.

Togo and Tunisia are Zambia’s other Group B opponents at the WAFCON Morocco is hosting from July 2-23.

Sampa The Great unveils ‘Never Forget’ which she describes as an ode to Zamrock music

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Sampa The Great unveils ‘Never Forget’ which she describes as an ode to Zamrock music

 

sampa the great
Sampa The Great

Riding hot on the heels of her performance at Glastonbury 2022, Sampa The Great has dropped an alluring new single titled ‘Never Forget’ – for which she linked up with fellow Zambian artists Chef 187, Tio Nason and Mwanjé – and revealed the details for her forthcoming second album.

In a press release, Sampa described ‘Never Forget’ as “an ode to Zamrock music, a genre born in the ’70s combining traditional Zambian music and psychedelic rock”. More specifically, the song was inspired by music focused on the kalindula, a traditional style of bass guitar that features prominently on ‘Never Forget’.

Expounding on how the song honours Zamrock and the kalindula, Sampa continued: “This tribute was inspired by the band WITCH and their lead singer, Mr Jagari Chanda, who has become one of my musical mentors. I discovered Zamrock later in my life and was surprised that this music was known globally, yet not fully celebrated and acknowledged in Zambia today.

“It hit home for me as I felt similarities in my own journey, having had my career take off outside my birth country. I thought it was fitting to pay homage to those who came before me and merge past, present and future through music and imagery; passing the baton from one generation to the next.”

‘Never Forget’ arrives alongside a cinematic video helmed by directors Rharha Nembhard, Imraan Christian and Furmaan Ahmed (the former two of whom also directed the video for Sampa’s last single, the Denzel Curry-assisted ‘Lane’). It intersperses footage of Sampa and her collaborators performing with archival clips of Zambian life in the 1970s.

Among the visuals shown is footage of the late Paul Ngozi – one of the most eminent pioneers in the Zamrock genre – as well as Zambia’s first president, Kenneth Kaunda, and classic performances from WITCH.

Source : NME.com

Vedanta urges Zambia to halt search for new KCM investor

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Vedanta urges Zambia to halt search for new KCM investor

Zambia should halt the search for a new investor in Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) until litigation with Vedanta Resources is settled, the Indian mining company said on Tuesday.

Zambia’s previous government put KCM in the hands of a liquidator in May 2019, triggering the ongoing legal dispute with Vedanta Resources, KCM’s parent company.

The government accused Vedanta of failing to honour licence conditions, including promised investment.

Vedanta has repeatedly denied it broke the terms of its licence.

KCM provisional liquidator Celine Nair said on June 7 that the company would appoint an adviser to help it to find an equity investor willing to fund the mine’s expansion.

But Vedanta Resources spokesperson Masuzyo Ndhlovu told Reuters on Tuesday that no investor could buy the mine and smelter complex without the consent of Vedanta.

“Significant efforts to sell KCM to other companies were made previously, but these efforts failed,” Ndhlovu said in a written response to Reuters questions.

Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe and the government’s mining investment firm ZCCM-IH declined to comment on the matter.

“Due to the ongoing court action, ZCCM-IH is constrained to comment on the matter,” ZCCM-IH spokeswoman Loisa Mbatha told Reuters.

Vedanta would not participate in KCM’s eventual open tender to select a new investor, Ndhlovu said, calling it “illegal”.

An arbitration hearing in London is due to take place in January 2023.

Vedanta had hoped discussions with the government and ZCCM-IH, could culminate in an amicable settlement, Ndhlovu said.

“Continuation of further legal proceedings will cost a lot to Zambia and also KCM assets continue to deteriorate with no funding available,” Ndhlovu said.

Vedanta has offered to step up investment in KCM if it resumes control of the business.

Mbeki salutes Zambia

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Mbeki salutes Zambia

Former South African President, Thabo Mbeki has saluted Zambia for being a pivotal pillar of his country’s liberation struggle.

Mr Mbeki said his country will always treasure the support Zambia rendered in the liberation of South Africa from apartheid.

The former South African leader stated this when he paid a courtesy call on President Hakainde Hichilema at State House in Lusaka today.

Mr Mbeki, who held private talks with President Hichilema, said he was thrilled at the warm reception he has received in Zambia.

“We are very happy to be back here at State House which stood as a pillar of support in our liberation” wrote Mr Mbeki in the Visitor’s Book at State House.

Mr Mbeki said Zambia will continue to remain his second home due to the attachment he has and the unmatched hospitality and warmth.

“This is of course home from home for us, and we are very happy to be received with such warmth by President Hichilema” wrote Mr Mbeki.

Mr Mbeki was accompanied to State House by the South African High Commissioner to Zambia and other officials.

The former South African leader is in the country along with former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano at the invitation of the Kenneth Kaunda Foundation.

Zambia on course to attain 70% Covid-19 vaccination target – Masebo

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Zambia on course to attain 70% Covid-19 vaccination target – Masebo

Minister of Health, Sylvia Masebo has expressed optimism of Zambia’s quest to reach 70 percent of the Covid-19 vaccination target by July this year.

Ms. Masebo says government is using the decentralization process by using local leadership to enhance its vaccination coverage in all parts of the country.

The Minister was speaking in Lusaka , when World Bank Managing Director, Anshula Kant visited her at her office.

She attributed the increased covid-19 vaccination response to the support rendered to the country by cooperating partners such as the World Bank.

The Minister said the World Bank through its Covid-19 emergency response funding provided to Zambia 3 million United States dollars targeted at strengthening its response capacity through the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI).

Ms. Masebo explained that the resources have so far been used to recruit temporary vital staff specifically to deal with covid-19 health care services.

She further thanked the World Bank for the continued support to the Zambian health care system by providing support to strengthen its capacity.

She cited the support to the ZNPHI and the African Center for Disease Control as some of the projects funded by the World Bank that Zambia is benefiting from.

” We want to thank you for your support to the health care service provision to Zambia, among them is the covid-19 emergency response programme, such measures have helped us to scale up our vaccination drive and am optimistic that by July we will reach the 70 %,” she said.

And World Bank Managing Director Anshula Kant has promised to continue providing support to Zambia to improve its health care service provision.

” We appreciate our collaboration with Zambia and we are ready to support you in all the areas of development in the provision of improved health care services,” she said.

The World Bank Group Managing Director who is also Chief Finance Officer is in the country for a three day working visit where she has held h meetings with the President Hakainde Hichilema, Secretary to Treasury and Bank of Zambia officials.

Ms. Kant has also visited a World Bank funded farm project,she is expected to leave tomorrow after concluding her scheduled business to Zambia.

Mbesuma Gives First EPL Season Report Card on Patson

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Ex-Chipolopolo and Portsmouth striker Collins Mbesuma says forward Patson Daka has done well so far at Premier League side Leicester City.

Zambian striker Daka, a £23m signing from RB Salzburg last summer, netted 11 goals in his first season in blue to finish as the club’s third-highest scorer.

However, he had a difficult conclusion to the campaign, scoring just once in his final 15 outings.

In an interview, Mbesuma said Daka should be consistent ahead of his second season at Leicester.

“I think he has done well,” Mbesuma said.

Mbesuma made four Premier League appearances for Portsmouth between 2005 and 2006.

“I think what he just needs is just consistency,” he said.

“For sure he is playing under good coaches and a good environment.I think he just has to keep on improving,” Mbesuma said.

Daka scored 60 goals over the previous two seasons with Salzburg before shifting to Leicester last summer.

The Government is Not Against Online Car-Hailing Service, Transport Minister Tells Parliament

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The Government is Not Against Online Car-Hailing Service, Transport Minister Tells Parliament

GOVERNMENT through the Ministry of Transport and Logistics has said that it has no intentions to stifle youth innovations of the growtthe h of small and medium business.
This came up as a response to a question by the Member of Parliament for Kantanshi Parliamentary Constituency Honourable Anthony Mumba

Hon. MUMBA wanted to know whether the Government is aware that compelling online car-hailing services to register with Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) is stiffing youth innovation and hindering the growth of small and medium businesses and if so, what measures are being taken to ensure that online car-hailing services are not adversely affected by the registration process; and what measures are being taken to enhance electronic communication technology innovations in the transport sector.

In response, Hon. Tayali said Government’s interest is to ensure that the online car-hailing services operate under a well-defined regulatory framework which is backed by law.

He said the existing regulatory framework was designed for conventional taxi operations and not online ride-hailing operations.

The Minister said applying such a regulatory framework to online car-hailing operations has proved a challenge as most of the vehicles registered on the Online Applications may fall off if the law is to be applied strictly.

Further, Hon. Tayali said Government is undertaking all the necessary consultations with all relevant stakeholders and is in the process of issuing tailor-made regulations to accommodate the operations of online car-hailing operators in Zambia while at the same time ensuring that appropriate taxes are paid to the Government.

He said Government will issue Statutory Instruments (SI) that will address these matters. The Minister also noted that Government will not put a deadline to the consultative process in order to do it right, but will, therefore, allow online car-hailing services to continue operating under the status quo until the regulations are issued.

Hon. Tayali also said Government is cognizant of the role that technologies play in facilitating business development and growth. He said Government has and will continue to put in place policies and legislation that embrace the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) in the transport and logistics sector.

The Minister added that Government is in the process of revising the ICT Policy of 2006 and developing the Digital Transformation Strategy and the National Logistics Strategy which imbed the use of ICTs in service delivery.

Over 1 Million social cash transfer beneficiaries will be reached by the end of this year

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Over 1 Million social cash transfer beneficiaries will be reached by the end of this year

The government says over 1 Million social cash transfer beneficiaries will be reached by the end of this year.

Community Development and Social Services Minister, Ms Doreen Mwamba has disclosed that the caseload is expected to reach a land mark of 1,027,000 by 31st December, 2022 in accordance with the social cash transfer guidelines

Speaking when she gave a Ministerial statement in Parliament today, Ms Mwamba explained that 646,882 beneficiaries accounts for female headed households,129,100 for households with persons with disabilities while 162,715 is for elderly persons.

The Minister further informed the house that chronically ill and those on palliative care accounts for 31,194, while 3,432 is for child headed households adding that payment of transfers has been predictable and regular as evidenced by payments which are up to date.

“Payments for the months of May and June are currently underway in every district and are expected to be concluded by this Friday, 1st July, 2022. This is important to ensure that household incomes are stable to assist beneficiaries in meeting their immediate needs, invest in assets and avoid negative coping strategies” she said.

She said government has since automated the payment system through the development of the Zambia integrated social protection information system (ZISPIS), which is a gateway for data management and electronic payment system to enhance administration, planning, coordination, transparency and accountability in the management of the social cash transfer programme.

The ZISPIS is also aimed at improving efficiency as well as to ensure real time tracking of resources in order to reach the intended vulnerable households and also provides users with timely, accurate, consistent, complete and relevant information for enhanced decision making.

“The ZISPIS has been piloted in Kitwe and Namwala districts to pay beneficiaries for the January/February and the March/April 2022 payment cycles. In addition, payment of transfers to beneficiaries in the other districts have been processed using the ZISPIS” Ms Mwamba further informed parliament.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has continued to implement the grievance management system, a mechanism that allows community members and other stakeholders channel their complaints relating to the social cash transfer programme and receive timely feedback.

And the Minister further informed Parliament that the Ministry has started the process of revamping the functional literacy programs which aim to improve the literacy levels among the beneficiaries.

The Minister therefore urged all members of Parliament to take time to familiarize themselves with the guidelines which are available in all district offices as well as sensitize their constituencies on the programme.

New Dawn Ministers threaten to quit, accuses HH of undermining them

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New Dawn Ministers threaten to quit, accuses HH of undermining them

Several Ministers working in the New Dawn administration are unhappy with President Hakainde Hichilema’s style of leadership accusing him of undermining them.

The Ministers are now threatening to rise up against President Hichilema and resign from his government if he continues running government as a “One Man Show.”

The Ministers who spoke to Lusaka Times in confidence have challenged President Hichilema to publicly deny the accusations if they are untrue.

They said they have resorted to exposing his poor leadership style as a way of getting him to change but threatened that they will resign enmass if he continues with his style.

They accuse President Hichilema of micromanaging all aspects of his government including all appointments to government and parastatal roles.

They said even in Cabinet Meetings, no one of them is allowed to even oppose President Hichilema’s position on any matter presented to Cabinet.

“On appointments, no Minister has ever made any appointments, the list of how to appoint is brought to us and we just read the names. The list is done by him alone at State House. This is why some Boards are still not done up to now because only one man is doing everything,” one of the female Ministers said.

“This is why regional balancing of this appointments is becoming very difficult because they are coming from one mind,” she added.

Another Minister complained that all the Ministers under President Hichilema are treated like children.

“He doesn’t consult us, even in Cabinet, we just go to rubber stamp his positions. Do you know that he appointed all the Press Attachés? That is how bad things are in this government,” he said.

The Ministers explained that since some of the appointees know that they were appointed by President Hichilema, they have no respect for Ministers.

“Now what is happening is that some parastatal Chiefs know that the appointment letter came from State House, we are failing to direct or instruct them. They can’t follow our orders because somehow they know that they came through State House and therefore they will only listen to the President.”

One Minister recounted how some Board Members recently paid themselves irregular allowances and when they were questioned by the line Ministry, they rushed to State House and pushed that the Minister be sacked.

“They style of leadership has made our work very difficult. We are like robots and it’s very frustrating,” a Minister complained.

The Ministers stated that their working morale is at the lowest.

“This man (President Hichilema) doesn’t know how to work as a team. He doesn’t allow us to get allowances even on our foreign trips. If the host Country or organisation doesn’t cater for your allowances, you will struggle through out your visit because he has instructed controlling officers not to say us any allowances when we travel. How can we work like Children?”

“He doesn’t listen to us. He is very distant from us. The only Minister he is close to is Stanley (Kakubo) but all of us feel like we are serving in a government that doesn’t want us.”

Law enforcement agencies arrest up 24 pupils aged between 15 and 21 in connection with drug and alcohol abuse

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Law enforcement agencies arrest up 24 pupils aged between 15 and 21 in connection with drug and alcohol abuse

A combined team of law enforcement agencies in Kitwe has picked up 24 pupils aged between 15 and 21 in connection with drug abuse and alcohol abuse within school premises.

Officers from Zambia Police and Drug Enforcement Commission rounded up the 24 pupils and one school leaver during an operation conducted on Tuesday morning.

The suspects are detained at Kitwe’s Riverside Police Station.

Speaking when Kitwe district commissioner Lawrence Mwanza and Kitwe district education board secretary Christopher Nyungila visited the police station, Riverside Police Station Officer Incharge Thomas Swala said the 24 pupils are from Kitwe Boys, Mukuba Boys and Parklands Secondary Schools.

Mr. Swala said Police further picked up a school leaver from North Western Province who was found abusing drugs alongside pupils.

“A total number of 24 pupils and 1 school leaver have been picked by the Zambia police from Kitwe Boy’s secondary school for suspected drug abuse. The boys were picked up during an operation conducted at the school between 11 -12 hours on 28 th June 2022. Out of the 24 pupils, two were from Mukuba Secondary School while one was from Parklands Secondary School while the school leaver was identified as Clement Katilungu aged 20 from North Western Province. The boys were picked up in an area prone to drug and alcohol abuse within the school premises and are currently detained at Riverside Police Station,” Mr. Swala said.

Drug abuse among youths is reported to be rife in Kitwe City.

“All of them are males. The distribution is: 21 from Kitwe Boys Secondary School then we have four who are not from that school. Two are from Mukuba Secondary School then we have one from Parklands School and we have one who is a school leaver. This one Clement Katilungu completed school in North Western Province at Zambezi Boarding School. He is 20 year old. He was captured within our area of target. The age range is between 15 and 21. The oldest appears to be Katilungu. These are the boys, we have not yet booked them but we have recorded all their particulars.The operation involved the Zambia Police from Kitwe District Headquarters, and then we also had four officers from the Drug Enforcement Commission who came to work with us. They were captured from an area prone to abuse of liquor and dagga within the school premises,” he said.

Kitwe District Education Board Secretary Christopher Nyungila said the arrests and detention would help curb illicit activities in schools.

Mr. Nyungila saluted the Police officers and the Drug Enforcement Commission for carrying out the operation in schools.

Kitwe District Commissioner Lawrence Mwanza said the state is restoring sanity in the district and appealed to parents to monitor the activities of their school children.

World Bank pledges continued support to emerging farmers

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World Bank pledges continued support to emerging farmers

The World Bank Group has pledged continued support to Zambia’s enhanced food security by helping Small and Medium scale farmers improve their farming activities.

World Bank Director for International Development Agency Resource Mobilization Samuel Maimbo says as the World faces a global food crisis, small Scale farmers have an important role to play in contributing to food security at national level.

Mr. Maimbo was speaking when the World Bank delegation led by its Managing Director Ashula Kant toured Panuka farms, one of the farms benefiting from its 40 million United states dollars funding for Small and Medium Enterprise (SME).

The project being implemented by the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project (ZATP) is aimed at contributing to increased market linkages and growth of agribusiness for small scale farmers.

He said the World Bank is ready to support small and medium size farmers with the provision of access to finance and market linkages to grow their business.

Mr Maimbo noted that with proper utilization of the funding, the bank is committed to providing more support for many small scale farmers across the country to benefit.

He further commended Panuka farms for putting the funding into good use by investing in clean energy infrastructure that will help in combating the negative effects of climate change.

“We are impressed, this is putting the support into good use, and will ensure that many other farmers are supported countrywide so that they can improve their activities and contribute to national food security in the wake of the global food crisis, “he added.

And ZATP Project Coordinator, Golden Makayi disclosed that so far 93 SMEs and 133 producer organisations are benefiting from the financial support through the project.

Mr. Makayi explained that the beneficiaries are supported with funding to buy farm equipment, training and mentorship.

He noted that the project also provides for market linkages for beneficiaries to sell their produce to established local and international markets for their benefit.

Mr. Makayi stated that the project has also helped the beneficiaries to compete favourably on the regional markets by supplying to international chain stores such as Shoprite, adding that it has also contributed to job creation and revenue collection.

“We were given 40 million US$ to contribute to market linkages and strengthen institution and regulatory framework in agribusiness and so far 93 SMEs are receiving support while 133 producer organisations have received mentorship,” he said.

And Panuka Farms Founder, Bruno Mweemba said his farm benefited over 37,000.00US$ from the World through ZATP.

Mr. Mweemba explained that he invested the funding in putting up greenhouse shelters, solar energy and cold room among others.

He noted that the farm that has employed 24 full time workers is currently supplying 95 percent of its horticulture produce to Shoprite.

He said the farm is strictly adhering to climate smart agriculture such as the use of greenhouses for production of different crops, hence has only used less than two of its five hectares of land to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Mr. Mweenba further appealed for more support to put up additional greenhouses adding that the current eight cannot effectively meet his increased production due to improved demand.

“Farming using greenhouses has proved that there is increased productivity compared to using open spaces, and our aim is to use a smaller piece of land so that we do not cut a lot of trees, but the use of greenhouses is expensive as one unit of the green house is fetching at about 7000 US$ hence we appeal for more support,” he added.

Why Green Hydrogen Should Be Part of the Energy Mix in Zambia

Chief Editor
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10
Why Green Hydrogen Should Be Part of the Energy Mix in Zambia


By Dr Roy Moobola

Zambia’s Energy Mix

Zambia is not endowed with large proven reserves of fossil-fuel resources such as coal, oil or natural gas. Currently all petroleum products in Zambia are imported which leaves the country at risk to global energy shocks. The vast majority of the electricity supply (83%) is dependent on hydro sources which have become prone to effects of climate change in the form of uncertain rainfall patterns and increasingly frequent droughts. Recent electricity supply deficits in 2015 and 2020 have had a detrimental effect on economic growth and poverty reduction. This is a picture of a country with too narrow a range of energy sources and too dependent on imported fuel.

The bulk of primary energy used in Zambia is obtained from biofuels with 73% coming from this source in 2019. This consists mainly of solid biomass such as firewood and charcoal. The large reliance on biomass is not sustainable and has negative consequences for local environments in the form of increased deforestation and pollution. Oil and other imported petroleum products make up 12% of the energy supply. There is increased local production of bioethanol for blending with petrol at a ratio of 1:10 which would slightly reduce the dependence on oil. Hydro-electric power contributes only 10% of the energy supply despite its economic importance. The variation of primary energy supply sources in Zambia between 1990 and 2019 is shown in the figure below.

Figure 1: Total primary energy supply by source, Zambia 1990 – 2019 [1]
Figure 1: Total primary energy supply by source, Zambia 1990 – 2019 [1]
To increase energy resilience and security of supply the Zambian energy sector needs to diversify where and how it sources its energy. The recent shocks to world fuel prices caused by the Russia-Ukraine military action have brought into sharp focus the need for energy self-reliance in many countries. To reduce energy supply risks and the amount of foreign exchange spent on importing fuel, more of the energy used in Zambia needs to be obtained from sustainable local sources.
Increasing use of renewable energy sources for electricity and the development of battery technology for transportation are transforming the energy landscape. This change presents itself as an opportunity for countries such as Zambia which have abundant water, sunshine and wind resources but an underdeveloped energy sector.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen has been touted as the fuel of the future in the energy transition from fossil fuels to low carbon energy. Many technological innovations are being made to ensure that hydrogen is a safe and cost-effective product to generate, store, transport and use. According to projections, the global final energy mix will rapidly shift towards electricity and hydrogen, with one estimate that the two technologies will represent 32% of the global energy mix by 2035 and 50% by 2050. This trend is shown in the figure below.

Figure 2: Projections for the global final energy consumption mix until 2050 [2]
Figure 2: Projections for the global final energy consumption mix until 2050 [2]

Hydrogen is a high energy density carrier with 3 times the energy density of petrol. It can be used as a feedstock in industries that are dependent on expensive imported petroleum fuels. Hydrogen can act as energy storage for excess or intermittent electricity generation from renewable energy solutions. Strategies to attain universal energy access in Zambia could use hydrogen as leapfrog technology in areas with low energy access. For example, bottled hydrogen may be used to provide low carbon cooking solutions in difficult to electrify rural areas. As a locally produced fuel, hydrogen would have the potential to transform the energy sector in the country.

Green hydrogen is created using renewable electricity in an electrolyser by splitting water into its constituent parts. Green hydrogen can be used to link renewable electricity generation with sectors that are difficult to electrify such as heat for industry and as a fuel for large vehicles.

Because of its physical location and suitable natural resources Zambia is predicted to be able to produce green hydrogen that would be competitive in price on the world market as shown in the figure below. According to this assessment southern and western parts of the country should be able to produce hydrogen at a price less than $2.2/kg at some point between 2030 and 2050. This estimated future hydrogen price is compared with current energy prices in the table below.

 

Figure 3: Hydrogen costs from hybrid solar PV and onshore wind systems in the long term [3]
Figure 3: Hydrogen costs from hybrid solar PV and onshore wind systems in the long term [3]

Table 1: Comparison of projected hydrogen price with current energy prices for similar fuels in Zambia

 

 

Fuel price

Calorific value

Density

Price of energy

 

$/kg or $/litrea

MJ/kgb

kg/litre

$/MJ
Hydrogen

2.2

120

 8.9 x 10-5

0.24
Dieselc

1.48

43

0.85

0.53
LPGd

2.5

46

0.54

0.69

 

  1. $/kg for hydrogen and LPG, $/litre for diesel
  2. https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/fuels-higher-calorific-values-d_169.html
  3. Diesel price of K25.65/litre and exchange rate of $17.3/K
  4. Liquefied petroleum gas, estimate based on K810 for 19 kg, May 2021 price

 

Electrolysers

The technology necessary to successfully deploy clean energy is largely imported into Zambia. A new technology and innovation ecosystem needs to be developed in which industry, academia and government work together to select and develop the most appropriate technology needed to solve local problems and generate wealth in the country. One technology that could be of benefit to Zambia is the development and manufacture of electrolysers.

Electrolysers use electricity to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen. Electrolysers come in three main types: alkaline, polymer electron membrane (PEM) and solid oxide. Alkaline electrolysers are the most used type in industrial settings. They use electrodes made of iron, nickel and nickel alloy sometimes with cobalt catalysts which would make this technology relatively accessible for sourcing materials in Zambia. By contrast PEM electrolysers require more exotic rare materials like iridium and ruthenium. Both alkaline and PEM electrolysers operate at relatively low temperatures (< 80°C). Solid oxide electrolysers are still in development in part due to technical problems caused by their operation at temperatures greater than 700°C.

Figure 4: Schematic and properties of alkaline electrolyser [4]
Figure 4: Schematic and properties of alkaline electrolyser [4]
Figure 4b chematic and properties of alkaline electrolyser [4]
Figure 4b chematic and properties of alkaline electrolyser [4]

Energy Storage

Hydrogen can be used to store energy when there is an excess of renewable electricity supply and for transportation to difficult to electrify locations. Many rural areas have low population densities in which the economics do not support extending the national electric grid to these locations. Stored hydrogen fuel offers an alternative to battery storage technology and liquefied petroleum gas (used extensively in some countries such as India and Brazil) to provide energy to remote areas or for cooking purposes. Compressed ammonia gas is an effective means of storing and transporting hydrogen and could be deployed for both small and large-scale energy storage needs. It is noted that for short term storage needs such as diurnal cycles, batteries would provide a more efficient means of energy storage whereas hydrogen would be more suited to longer duration storage. The figures below demonstrate this.

Figure 5: Energy capacity vs storage duration for hydrogen and other storage technologies [4]
Figure 5: Energy capacity vs storage duration for hydrogen and other storage technologies [4]
Figure 6: Relative efficiency of electricity generated from battery and hydrogen stored energy [4]
Figure 6: Relative efficiency of electricity generated from battery and hydrogen stored energy [4]
Fertiliser Manufacture

Green hydrogen can be used as a feedstock for industrial processes. Hydrogen when combined with nitrogen from the air forms ammonia which is a precursor to nitrogen-based fertiliser (urea and ammonium nitrate) manufacture. Current methods of ammonia and fertiliser production are energy intensive and use natural gas (methane) as a feedstock. The natural gas is reformed at high temperatures using steam to obtain hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The figure below shows how the process to create fertilisers from green hydrogen might work.

Figure 7: Green ammonia and low carbon fertiliser production [5]
Figure 7: Green ammonia and low carbon fertiliser production [5]
Zambia imports fertiliser at great cost though there are attempts to increase local fossil fuel-based fertiliser manufacture. Between 1972 and 2015 Sable Chemicals in Zimbabwe used electrolysers powered by hydro-electric energy to produce green hydrogen and ammonia for fertiliser manufacture. Ammonia production was stopped in 2015 due to a persistent country-wide energy deficit and increased electricity tariffs. Zimbabwe now imports ammonia gas from South Africa.

Steel Manufacture

Green hydrogen can also be used as a source of heat for industrial processes. In the Zambian context the most notable industrial use would be steel manufacture.
Replacing coal with hydrogen is a promising option still in development for decarbonising the steel production process. The main Zambian steel manufacturing facility, UMCIL Kafue Steel, uses a coal-based direct reduction process for the conversion of iron oxide ore to direct reduced iron. Green hydrogen can be used to replace coal as a reducing agent.

Hydrogen Cooking Solutions

Clean energy solutions are required to reduce the dependence on biofuels such as charcoal and firewood. Indiscriminate use of such fuels causes deforestation, damages ecosystems and exacerbates climate change. Additionally, many people exposed to the pollution of these fuels experience poor health outcomes. Green hydrogen offers an alternative cooking fuel in places that are difficult to reach with conventional grid or off-grid solutions. Combining bottled hydrogen with hydrogen gas cookers could be the way to solve the energy deficit in remote areas.

Figure 8: Hydrogen cooking solutions [6]
Figure 8: Hydrogen cooking solutions [6]

Transportation Vehicles

Whilst electric batteries have taken a lead in decarbonising the passenger vehicle sector, alternative clean energy solutions are needed for heavy goods and larger passenger vehicles. Currently electric vehicle battery technology does not provide the power or range requirements for larger vehicles. Hydrogen offers a potential solution with the development of fuel cell or synthetic fuel technology.

Fuel cells work like batteries but combine hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity, which is opposite to what an electrolyser does. Recently, Anglo American unveiled the world’s largest hydrogen-powered truck weighing 220 tonnes at a platinum mine in South Africa in an aim for the mining company to be carbon neutral by 2040, as shown in the figure below.

Figure 9: South Africa Launches world’s biggest hydrogen-fuelled truck [7]
Figure 9: South Africa Launches world’s biggest hydrogen-fuelled truck [7]
Alternatively, synthetic fuels can be made from the combination of green hydrogen and carbon dioxide to form a man-made liquid fuel similar to petrol, diesel or kerosene.

Namibia

In late 2021 the Namibian government announced plans to invest $9.4 billion over 40 years in green hydrogen production in collaboration with German consortium Hyphen Hydrogen Energy. The factors in favour of this investment are the abundant solar and wind energy resources in Namibia, proximity to the sea and significant reserves of platinum and iridium required to manufacture polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysers. The level of proposed investment is all the more remarkable considering that Namibia’s GDP in 2020 was $10.7 billion. The initial project phase worth $4.4 billion would create a 2 GW renewable energy electricity plant due to open in 2026. Further expansion at the end of the decade would generate a total of 5 GW of renewable energy capacity and 3 GW of electrolyser capacity.

Conclusion

A diversity of energy sources reduces risks to security of supply and increases the resilience of a country’s energy sector. Since Zambia imports all of its petroleum products, transitioning to an energy type that can be generated locally is important to establishing energy security, for wealth creation and improving balance of payments.

Manufacture of hydrogen electrolysers would provide an opportunity to create value-added industries using locally available minerals such as nickel and cobalt. Further development of much needed local industry, such as the manufacture of fertilisers and steel, can be enhanced using cheaper locally sourced fuels.

It is vital that appropriate research and development is undertaken to own technologies that are likely to form part of the future energy mix. Close collaboration is required between industry, academia and government to achieve the necessary technological upgrading and the transition to innovation-based economic growth.

The array of potential energy technologies that could be developed in Zambia include solar PV, concentrated solar thermal power, wind turbines, electric vehicle batteries, electrolysers, fuel cells, green hydrogen and synthetic fuels. A systems analysis approach would be necessary to determine which are the most optimum technologies to develop further within the Zambian economy.

The direction of the future global energy mix, abundance of renewable energy sources and water in Zambia, and the strategic and economic benefits of having a locally sourced fuel provide a strong case for the development of hydrogen technology solutions.

References

  1. https://www.iea.org/countries/zambia
  2. Global Energy Perspective 2022, McKinsey and Company, https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/oil-and-gas/our-insights/global-energy-perspective-2022
  3. The Future of Hydrogen, International Energy Agency, June 2019, https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-hydrogen
  4. Carbonomics, The clean hydrogen revolution, Goldman Sachs, Feb 4 2022, https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/pages/carbonomics-the-clean-hydrogen-revolution.html
  5. Green Ammonia and Low-Carbon Fertilizer Production in 2050, Fertlizers Europe, https://www.fertilizerseurope.com/paving-the-way-to-green-ammonia-and-low-carbon-fertilizers/
  6. Solar Hydrogen for Cooking in the Global South, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), https://www.epfl.ch/labs/lrese/sunhydrogencooking/
  7. South Africa launches the world’s biggest hydrogen-fueled truck, https://www.citizen.co.za/news/3092243/south-africa-launches-the-worlds-biggest-hydrogen-fueled-truck/

Dr Roy Moobola is a specialist in energy solutions and a university lecturer in engineering.

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