CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
|
Zambia |
POLITICS
President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia has been in power for well over a year.
But has he delivered on his promises of good governance,
the fight against corruption, employment creation and economic progress?This is a burning question. But on the surface, Mwanawasa, a well-known lawyer, has won the hearts of Zambians of diverse political persuasions, especially because of his strong stand against corruption which he says has indelibly rooted itself in society.
Mwanawasa’s critics concede that the New Deal administration has surprised them, though they originally thought he would not be his own man, considering he was handpicked by his predecessor, Frederick Chiluba.
Mwanawasa has also won accolades from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, plus the nation’s bilateral donors. The IMF and the World Bank have tangibly demonstrated their support, with massive financial assistance for the current fiscal year to prop up the ailing economy.
The outspoken Opposition have acknowledged and supported Mwanawasa’s declared war against corruption, because, invariably, corruption is detrimental to development.
At the beginning of 2003, reviewing his performance for the last 12 months, Mwanawasa admonished the Task Force empowered to hunt down those involved in plundering the nation’s economy, for being excessively slow in bringing the culprits to book. But he said he would not interfere in their investigations. However, the President advised investigators to ensure that those involved are taken to court expeditiously.
In a nationwide radio and television address, Mwanawasa said Zambians should avoid baseless political talk and instead concentrate on developing the nation. Also, the government will be putting in place structures and strategies to ensure the success of its policies against corruption, abuse of office and plundering of the economy. The President warned that investigations and prosecution of such cases will not be easy and he reiterated his call for patience, as the law enforcement officers go about their work. Mwanawasa said all institutions charged with the responsibility of interpretation and implementation of good governance strategies, will remain free to operate according to their statutes.
Particular issues
The judiciary has come under the spotlight. Former Chief Justice Mathew Ngulube had to resign for alleged involvement in corruption, but now the judiciary appears to have rediscovered its impartiality in dispensing fair justice. The present Chief Justice, Ernest Sakala, says: «I will neither accommodate nor tolerate corruption in the judiciary because it damages our credibility and public confidence in us».
In Zambia, nearly 3 million people are facing hunger. The government has thus mobilised adequate maize stocks to avert starvation, at the same time rejecting genetically modified maize for scientific and health reasons.
The government has also addressed health problems, especially HIV/AIDS, and intends to work with all interested parties in addressing the plight of widows, widowers, orphans and street children — by-products of the pandemic.
The main issue facing the government, however, remains that of servicing the annual debt which undermines all development efforts. Zambia has a staggering US $7.3 billion external debt and unless cancelled, the nation will continue to wallow in poverty for the foreseeable future. The fact is, Zambia’s external debt keeps on growing every year.
Zambians can seek solace in the present New Deal administration which has prioritised the agriculture and tourism sectors, both of which show positive signs of improving. But the real solution lies in the people themselves and their own hard work and self-reliance.
- Fred Chela, Zambia, January 2003 — © Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment