CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by George Chomba, Zambia, September 1999
THEME = POLITICS
When asked on 12 June if he was aiming for a third term in office,
Zambia's President Chiluba said:
"I want to be a trend-setter in Zambian politics. I will honour my words to
retire"
Chiluba said he strongly believes in the need for change, so he will not seek re-election as President when his term of office comes to an end in 2001. The President's assurances to his political opponents, comes in the midst of speculation that a special committee comprising both local and international constitutional law experts, has been in the country with only one purpose - to find ways and means of doctoring both Zambia's Constitution and the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD)'s Constitution, to pave the way for a third term bid by Chiluba.
Political analysts were of the opinion that the fact Chiluba had banned his own party members from campaigning for the presidency, was proof enough that after 2001, he intended to remain in State House for another five years. So the 12 June announcement caught many people by surprise.
If Chiluba keeps his word, when Zambians go to the polls in 2001 to elect someone to run their country's affairs, they will be voting for only their third President since attaining independence in 1964.
Kenneth Kaunda remained in office for 27 years until trade unionist-turned-politician, Frederick Chiluba of the MMD, turfed him out of State House in 1991. Since then, Chiluba has already stood once again for office (in 1996), and according to his party's constitution, he cannot stand for a third term. Chiluba now says he wants to set a trend in Zambian politics - political leadership especially at the national level should be ready and prepared for change.
So, Frederick Chiluba could be among those few African leaders such as Julius Nyerere and Nelson Mandela, who chose to retire gracefully.
When Chiluba defeated Kenneth Kaunda in 1991, Kaunda promised in a televised broadcast, that he would retire and settle at his farm in Chinsali and become a peasant farmer. He later handed over the presidency of his party, The United National Independence Party (UNIP), to his former Prime Minister, Kebby Musokotwane, (who has since died). For almost two years (from 1992), Dr.Kaunda remained in retirement until, as he said, he received a "call" from the people of Zambia.
In 1995, Kaunda forced Mr.Musokotwane from the presidency of the party and made it known he was going to stand as a candidate in the next national presidential election "for the sake of redeeming the people of Zambia".
Dr.Kaunda accused President Chiluba's MMD of having eroded the dignity of Zambia because of its capitalistic policies.
Since Dr.Kaunda's return to active politics, political power has eluded him once again. In 1996, he was unable to stand as a presidential candidate because the new Constitution disqualified him. The Constitution demands a presidential candidate whose parents are both Zambians, but the former head of state's parents were born in neighbouring Malawi.
Kaunda's political aspirations received a further blow because of a High Court decision that he is "stateless". He's now awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on the question of his nationality.
If Mr.Chiluba does not stand and Dr.Kaunda is barred once again, then State House will see a new incumbent, but who?
As things stand, both the Opposition and the ruling party seem unsure who their presidential candidate will be. Among the Opposition, some political parties are merging with a view of forming what they term "a strong political front".
So far, six political parties are in the process of merging and it is not known when officials for the new political grouping will be elected. Those that have merged are the Zambia Democratic Congress (ZDC) of Dean Mungomba, the Lima Party of Ben Kapita and Guy Scot, the National Christian Coalition (NCC) of Nevers Mumba, the National Party of the late Humphrey Mulemba, the Agenda for Zambia of Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika, and a pressure group lead by the MMD's former deputy national treasurer, Slyvia Masebo.
Recently, another political party has appeared on the scene, the United Party for National Development (UPND) which is still trying to find its feet.
With all this as background, no one knows who will be the next President. The search is now on!
END
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