Samantha Power, head of the USAID agency in the United States, pressed for Zambia’s commitment to democratic values during a congratulatory call to president-elect Hakainde Hichilema. Power and Hichilema also focused on Zambia’s fight against corruption, and the role of civil society in delivering a peaceful and credible election that…
In Zambia, President Edgar Lungu said he has deployed military personnel to assist police in controlling political violence ahead of the country’s August 12 election. “Defense personnel have already been deployed in some parts of Lusaka and will be deployed in other parts of the country where need arises,” said…
Opponents of a bill to amend Zambia’s constitution were dealt another setback on Friday, as the country’s Constitutional Court ruled against a legal team hoping to interrupt a process many believe is meant to consolidate power for President Edgar Lungu and his ruling Patriotic Front (PF) party. The court ruled…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu is the latest African leader expected to make another bid to stay in power, after a constitutional court decision Friday that paves the way for a possible third term in 2021. Lungu, who has presided over an increasingly repressive Zambia since 2015, will be able to…
China’s foreign ministry spoke out Thursday on increasing tensions in Zambia over the Chinese role in the country, which has been criticized most recently by longtime political opposition leader Haikande Hichilema. Hichilema was detained for questioning earlier this week after he was accused of making public anti-China statements that led…
In Zambia, a delegation led by the influential leaders of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) met with President Edgar Lungu on Monday to discuss their concerns over the December elections. The delegation asked Lungu, now the chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), to ensure that the…
Zambia’s national political dialogue has hit a few bumps since a June summit of party leaders in Siavonga agreed to a roadmap for an inclusive process ahead of presidential elections in 2021. The Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) has been working on the dialogue process since last year, under pressure…
Zambia is moving forward with plans for an inclusive political dialogue chaired by the country’s religious leaders, amid renewed concerns of political violence spurred by clashes earlier this month during a parliamentary by-election in Chilanga. The Zambia Centre for Interparty Dialogue (ZCID) has been working on the process since last…
Politicians in Zambia are distancing themselves from opposition political leader Hakainde Hichilema, following his accusation that Janet Rogan, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) representative and country coordinator in Zambia, helped President Edgar Lungu to manipulate votes in the 2016 election. They’re also taking the opportunity to call for an…
Some will call it politics and some will call it sacrifice, said Harry Kalaba, the foreign affairs minister of Zambia. Yet whatever they call it, his announcement of his resignation this week was passionate about the corruption and greed he says drove him to the decision. Kalaba opened up in…
Zambian opposition politician Hakainde Hichilema is expected at the Lusaka High Court on Monday, his United Party for National Development (UPND) announced on Sunday amid reports that treason charges against Hichilema will be dropped. Hichilema, the UPND presidential candidate who ran unsuccessfully against President Edgar Lungu last year, was arrested…
Back in April, Zambian opposition politician Saviour Chishimba said he feared for his life and had gone into hiding. The United Progressive People (UPP) leader had evaded armed men he said were state operatives, who broke into his home to steal laptops and documents relating to corruption cases that Chishimba…
There is no escape, really, from the realization that the incremental encroachments on Zambia’s democratic freedoms have now moved the country into a frightening moment. Word that President Edgar Lungu is to declare a national state of emergency appears to mark a new phase of political power for a president…
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
The Lusaka City Market was heavily damaged by fire Tuesday, amid recent warnings from the head of Zambia’s police service that saboteurs are targeting government buildings, utilities and other public spaces. President Edgar Lungu was quick to appeal for calm in Zambia’s politically charged environment, and urged Lusaka residents to…
Four dozen members of Zambia’s political opposition party currently holding seats in parliament were suspended on Tuesday – effective immediately – for boycotting President Edgar Lungu’s address to parliament back in March. The 48 MPs, all members of the United Party for National Development (UPND), were suspended for 30 days and…