BOWMAN LUSAMBO WRITES….

HH & Harris Joint Press Conference, a Muppet Show

We watched with interest, the much anticipated joint news conference from State House grounds by President Hichilema and his guest US Vice President Kamala Harris.

Apart from the lovely backdrop of our beautiful animals roaming around, there was nothing that can be said about the event apart from the usual mumbling from President Hichilema and the half answers that Vice President Harris gave to most of the questions posed by Journalists.

We know that the substance was discussed behind closed doors but what the two leaders gave us when they emerged from their meeting was a waste of time. For us, this was confirmation that the Biden administration has no real agenda for Zambia. Coming all the way from Washington D.C to come and announce a meager 16 million dollar aid package to fight corruption is a joke. If the US valued our relationship, they would have partnered with us on a major infrastructure development project. It is common knowledge that Zambia has a huge infrastructure deficit estimated to be around US$9 billion, to plug that hole, Zambia needs real partners. Without continued investment in infrastructure, Zambia can kiss goodbye to sustainable development. Moreover, we don’t believe that the ACC needs more money to fight corruption, what we know the ACC requires now is to stop listening to orders from politicians on who to arrest.

Now let’s sit here and imagine if this visit was from a top Chinese official? There would have been a huge announcement that Zambia would get another General Hospital, a major road would be done and a technology and innovation hub. That is how China or even Russia and to a good except even India treats it’s development partners. It’s real development and not mere rhetoric.

And then came the moment when President Hichilema choose to embarrass himself and Zambia by answering a question on Donald Trump’s indictment directed at his guest, a question that Vice President Harris clearly elected not to answer by stating “No Comment” but our Mr know it all Gentleman wanted to steal the show and commented in his usual convoluted fashion. What President Hichilema did was a major breach of international protocol and a major embarrassment for Zambia. His handlers will do well to school him on matters of international diplomacy before he further embarrasses himself and the nation. In international diplomacy, symbolism is everything.

We also hope President Hichilema and his team can now reflect on Zambia’s foreign policy and the stance that his administration has taken. For instance on debt talks, President Hichilema looked miserable when asking Vice President Harris for the US to assist resolve the stalemate. If one needed any evidence that Zanbia is now a pawn in the USA’s hands, the evidence was presented at the press conference yesterday.

President Hichilema needs to realize that the US and its partners at the IMF and the World Bank have done all they could but the stalemate has been caused by his lack of tact. He needs to humble himself and engage China sincerely and stop pandering to the wills of the US and its partners or else, the muppet show we saw at State House will continue as the Kwacha continues performing like a Yoyo.

IT’S BOILING ON COPPERBLET

…predicament we’re in is taking us back to food riots of 1990 – Musenge

By Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone

ON the Copperbelt it is boiling, says Mwenya Musenge.

The former Copperbelt minister, now leader of the Alliance for People’s Prosperity (APP), said the predicament “we are in is taking us back to 1990 when we had food riots”.

“I am afraid the Zambian people especially on the Copperbelt might replicate the 1990 situation. Let it be known that on the Copperbelt it is boiling. It is boiling and we might go back – if anything we are revisiting the 1990 uprising,” Musenge said.

He said President Hakainde Hichilema at one time while in opposition said “a hungry person is an angry person.”

Musenge said the UPND government was not giving the Zambian people any hope.

He said the mining sector had collapsed and people in Chingola and Mufulira “are languishing in extreme poverty”.

“The source of survival for the people of the Copperbelt is mining but now there is nothing to talk about. HH was on the Copperbelt, we expected him to address the issues affecting the people. We expected him to deliver a lasting solution to the predicaments the people are going through. Mopani, KCM and other mines are in dire stress. We want the President to know or rather, I would like to remind him that when he was in opposition he had made a very strong statement and I recall that he said and I quote ‘a hungry person is an angry person’. So if the people rise, infact not if, but I see a situation where the people have no option but to rise… The 1990 situation is just by the horizon and they (UPND) should be ready for it,” Musenge said.

When reminded that President Hichilema made promises to pay all ex-miners outstanding dues, Musenge said this was not sustainable.

“There is a new flock of young women and men who are looking for work and to start families. What is there for them today? We are talking of a government that has literary failed to manage the mineral resources of this country. The Ministry of Mines is now a hub for corruption and bribes. The ministry is only favouring the elite. Look at sugilite in Mansa, look at gold in Kasenseli and manganese dotted all over Zambia! We do not have a proper system of managing our mineral resources so that we can realise proper benefits as a country and plough it back to uplift the lives of our people,” argued Musenge. “A proper government with a proper ministry of mines should have worked out a proper system to manage our mineral resources so that we can add value to them. It is not about watching people mining and exporting our minerals. We have lost a lot of money through uncontrolled mining and exports.”

In June 1990 riots erupted mainly on the Copperbelt and Lusaka due to high mealie meal prices.

The riots lasted three days forcing then president Kenneth Kaunda to deploy soldiers onto the streets to restore order.

It is believed over 30 people died and about 1,000 were arrested.

WHY I PREVENTED MY BROTHER JOZE FROM ACCESSING MATERO CDF EMPOWERMENT MONEY.

By Miles B. Sampa, MP
Matero MP, APNAC Chairman & Pan African Public Funds Committee Chairman

I got a boloking (castigated) by about 99% respondents when I posted indicating I had made submissions to our Matero CDF committee that they remove my brother’s company on the list of approved CDF empowerment beneficiaries.

I then realized, “Been in the business of handling money that is not mine far too long” than most. Lucky to have been exposed directly or indirectly in my past to handling clubs, school, community, companies, banks, institutions, council, state, government or public monies.
At one of the Banks I worked for, actually my signature could authorize payments of $1M outside the Bank account in New York to a beneficiary. The only role maybe not done so far is Village banking treasurer but almost guaranteed would not disappears with member’s money given such stories I hear daily. Lol.

In all the above, never was I found wanting as it got embedded early in my mind that it’s only trust that had me that role and had to guard it jealously. It was also not the amount involved but act of “Can I or cannot I be trusted with money that is not mine”.

I am now Chairman of the Africa Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) and I have to not only walk the anti corruption talk but be seen to.

According to Oxford dictionary; Corruption is dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power and the five examples of corruption?
1. Bribery.
2. Embezzlement, theft and fraud.
3. Graft.
4. Extortion and blackmail.
5. Influence peddling.
6. Networking.
7. Abuse of discretion.
8. Favoritism, nepotism and clientelism.

For the topic in point will zero in on item 8 above (Favoritism & Nepotism).

According to Oxford dictionary ‘Favoritism’ is the practice of giving unfair preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of another.

According to the Oxford dictionary ‘Nepotism’ is the practice among those with power or influence of favouring relatives, friends, or associates, especially by giving them jobs (or contracts or loans).

Reality is CDF is managed by a committee and the MP is just one of the members. In addition CDF projects are approved by the Ministry of Local Government and then managed or implemented by the local authorities (Councils).
In the minds of constituency residents and citizens in general however, area MPs manage CDF and the buck starts and ends with them.

The above highlighted and had my brother Joze managed to access and utilize the loan from the Matero CDF for his solid waste company, I could have easily been cited for corruption categorized above as nepotism and favoritism. By the time I would have had a chance to explain how was not in the country when the CDF committee sat, the case would have been way advanced and my name tainted and found guilt in the courts of public opinion.

Awe bane I have come far in the game and never have been summoned by the ACC. I don’t intend to risk it now, late in the day. My name is free of corruption innuendos and it’s potentially about the only asset on me that no one can fidget with whatever price or by use of whatever propaganda skills.

So in the same way I helped my brother with the first truck in his garbage pick up business as start up capital in 2014 and in the same way I gave him my canter last month to replace the red one broken truck by the Matero road side (guess chassis dissolved from garbage toxic acids), it’s the same way will assist him with operations funds he wanted from the Matero CDF.

It’s important for him and all that cares for me that my name remains corruption free from grande or petty types of corruption and in this case nepotism and favoritism corruption.

Together We Can
MBS01.04.2023
APNAC Chairman

WHAT SHOULD INFORM ZAMBIA’S FOREIGN POLICY: A LITMUS TEST FOR ZAMBIA’S BODY POLITIC – SUNDAY CHANDA

March 31st, 2023

LUSAKA – Let me submit that our Foreign Policy should be informed by ZAMBIA’S INTERESTS, not IDEOLOGY. So in our dealings with USA, China, Russia, UK, EU, Japan etc, the first question is: ARE ZAMBIA’S INTERESTS BEING SERVED?

That PRAGMATIC FOREIGN POLICY by Lee Quan Yew in Singapore, Deng Xiaoping in China, and the Meiji in Japan enabled their countries to develop economically and technologically. In particular Deng, speaking to his pragmatic approach said and I quote: “It doesn’t matter whether a cat is white or black, as long as it catches mice”

Similarly we need all the big economic powers for Zambia to develop, and avoid being caught up in extremist ideological and cultural issues of no benefit to Zambia.

Speaking of Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Zambia, let us put aside the divisive politics and acknowledge that it is an important occasion for Zambia. For example, America is the biggest funder in Zambia’s health sector worth hundreds of millions of dollars per year through programs such as PEPFAR!

I opine that the Opposition in its entirety needed to be present at the Democracy Summit because democracy is about sustaining conversations even when you do not agree. Speaking of the Democracy Summit, my five (5) cents view is that those of us in the Opposition should take it as part of our responsibility to meet with any visiting big power foreign leader to offer alternatives.

Lastly but definitely not the least, there must come a time when we put political jackets aside and see each other as fellow citizens and partners in development. Watching international news and it’s Zambia everywhere. It is only fair to say this high profile visit has brought us honor as a country – Job well done President Hakainde Hichilema and US Vice President Kamala Harris.

Hon Sunday Chanda
Member of Parliament
Kanchibiya Constituency
31.01.2023

Kamala’s former home in Lusaka located

Plot 316, Independence Avenue

Her Grandfsther’s home is now Head Office for Lawrence Sikutwa & Associates Limited (LSA).

LSA is one of Zambia’s leading Insurance, Financial and Investment services company.

Founder, Sikutwa and USA Embassy staff were on hand to receive her.

Kamala Harris visited the site of her maternal grandfather’s home in Lusaka, where he lived as an Indian public servant in the 1960s.

P.V. Gopalan was working with the newly independent Zambia government six decades ago on refugee resettlement and lived at 16 Independence Ave., where Harris visited as a little girl.

The home no longer exists; rather, an office building now stands on the plot of land.

The location was identified using plot numbers in public records and land surveys, according to a White House official.

Harris on Friday said it was “very special” to go back, and she described her grandfather as “one of my favorite people” with a lasting influence on her life.

“He believed in the nobility of public service, he believed in fighting corruption,” she said. “These are things he would talk about a lot, and I don’t think until I was older I realized how that subconsciously influenced the way I think.”

United States of America (USA) Vice President, Kamala Harris, has arrived in Zambia for a two-day visit. The plane carrying Ms Harris touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka at 12:58 hours today.

Ms Harris is accompanied by her husband, the Second Gentleman of the United States, Douglas Emhoff, and other US senior government officials.

She was welcomed by Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, Mutale Nalumango, Minister of Information and Media, Chushi Kasanda, Lusaka Province Minister Sheal Mulyata, Lusaka Mayor, Chilando Chitangala, and other senior government officials.

While in Zambia, Ms Harris is expected to hold talks with President Hakainde Hichilema at State House, focusing on matters of mutual interest at bilateral, global and regional levels.

The Ms Harris’ visit will also serve to advance US assistance to Zambia in accessing the digital economy, strengthening business ties and investment through innovation, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment of women.

President Hichilema has been driving the country’s economic development agenda and the visit by the US Vice President will strengthen Zambia’s partnership with the country.

She also expected to engage into other activities before touring Panuka farm in Chibombo district tomorrow, April 1, 2023.

Ms Harris is expected to leave Zambia for her country on Saturday, April 1, 2023 after concluding her visit.

In her week-long tour of Africa, Ms Harris has already visited Ghana and Tanzania.

She met Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Ado and Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu Hassan while in those countries.

In Tanzania the Ms Harris delivered her maiden speech to youths about innovation and women empowerment.

Ms Harris is on a mission to strengthen the US and Africa relationship in order to spur economic development and opportunities, and also address issues of climate change, food security and the rising youth population.

Milingo Lungu’s petition shall be heard – court rules….as state’s attempt to have the matter dismissed fails

Lusaka, 31.03.2023

The Constitutional Court has ruled that Milingo Lungu’s petition regarding his immunity shall be heard. The state had applied for the dismissal of the petition arguing that hearing the matter would amount to an academic exercise because the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, had revoked the immunity.

In a unanimous decision of five Constitutional Court Judges read by Judge Sitali, the court ruled that the State’s application had failed because the notice of motion it had filed under Order IX (9) rule 20 of the Constitutional Court Rules (CCR) was not filed along with an affidavit as the rule requires.

Further, the court ruled that the motion was incompetent because Order IX (9) rule 20 of the CCR was not the appropriate provision for the determination of applications aimed at the immediate termination of an action before the final decision in the matter.

In fact, the Constitutional Court had on the 9th of November 2022 ruled in the case of Milingo Lungu v Attorney General and Administrator General that the rule the state had relied on to terminate Lungu’s petition was inappropriate.

In its ruling, the court referred to this case and reiterated its position. In that ruling, the court stated, “The question of which provisions are to be invoked in raising a preliminary issue seeking to terminate the main matter was settled in Law Association of Zambia v The Attorney General wherein we held that Order 1 rules 1 and 2 of the CCR read with Order 14A and Order 33 of the White Book may be invoked in order to raise a preliminary issue on a point of law seeking dismissal of the entire action. That is the route that the petitioner should have taken. We are thus inclined to dismiss the application”.

Milingo Lungu, who holds a Masters’ Degree in Insolvency from the University of Cape Town was appointed as a provisional liquidator in Konkola Copper Mines, KCM (in liquidation) during the Patriotic Front, PF, government following prolonged disputes with Vedanta Resources of India who had been operating the facility.

The state struck a deal with Lungu who voluntarily stepped down from his position while the State offered him immunity against prosecution. However, the State u-turned in bizarre circumstances with the ruling United Party for National Development, UPND, mounting a campaign against the Director of Public Prosecutions who they accused of allegedly shielding corrupt individuals.

She was subsequently dropped and replaced with a new DPP who immediately revoked the immunity leading to the abrogation of commitments that the State had made under the deal. The State claims that since the immunity had been revoked, Lungu’s petition must be dismissed. However, the court has now settled the question and Lungu’s petition shall now be heard.

MASEBO REPORTED TO ACC FOR ABUSE OF OFFICE AND CORRUPTION
…as Kampasa villagers asks ACC to recommend to President Hichilema to suspend Masebo

By New Dawn Reporter
KAMPASA villagers in Chongwe District are up in arms against their Member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo whom they have accused of abusing her authority, hence reporting her to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for abuse of authority, altering survey documents and corruption.

According to a detailed letter of complaint filed at the ACC, copied to Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwimbu, Minister of Local Government and Housing Gary Nkombo, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources Elijah Muchima, Deputy Inspector of Police In-charge of Operations Milner Muyambango and Commissioner of Lands, Masebo is accused of being behind what they call illegal eviction and demolition of structures carried out by Police officers without the knowledge of the Police Command at Force Headquarters.

The residents through their representatives Jateo Zulu have accused Masebo who is also Minister of Health of betrayal in the manner she has turned against them after asking her to help them legalize the land with the Ministry of Lands.

The residents now want ACC investigate Masebo for corruption and abuse of authority in the manner she has conducted herself, to the disbelief of Minister of Local Government Garry Nkombo..

According to the letter dated 29th March, 2023, the residents have accused Masebo of using her office to grab the land.

“Case against Hon. Masebo. Hon. Sylvia Masebo, MP has used or abused her authority as Member of Parliament for Chongwe constituency, a constituency we are part of by vigorously trying to illegally evict us from our village which has been established for a very long time.

Hon. Masebo has used our vulnerability to her advantage as we had gone to beg her to help our cause but she has instead turned around on us and joined hands with the caretaker at Galaunia Farms Limited to grab land which does not belong to them,” the letter states in part.

The residents have also accused Masebo of ordering the Zambia Police Service to
carry out what they have described as her illegal actions without the blessing of the Zambia Police Service top command.

According to the residents, in 2012 when Masebo was Minister of Tourism and Arts she sent officers from the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) to evict them without a court order or notice and property destroyed.

The residents have also complained that Masebo working together with a named caretaker of Galaunia farms limited have forged the survey documents in order to capture the land in question as part of the Galaunia farms too.

“And in 2012 Hon. Masebo commanded officers from the Zambia Wildlife Authority to evict us without any court order or notice. Hon. Masebo has in conjunction with the Caretaker at Galaunia Farms Limited purportedly altered the survey diagrams for Farm 33a so that Kampasa village is captured within the boundaries of Farm 33a. I believe that her actions are captured within the provisions of the law under section 21 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 as her arbitrary actions are a clear abuse of the office of member of parliament which are prejudicial to our rights and interests as the Kampasa residents,” the letter reads in part.

The group representative identified as Jateo Zulu has therefore, asked the ACC Director General Tom Shamakamba to institute abuse, forgery and corruption investigations against Masebo.

“It is on the basis of the above, that I humbly request your office institutes investigations as it is my considered view that there is a case of abuse of office by Hon. Masebo. It is my further considered view that the failure to quickly investigate Hon. Masebo will be to our further detriment and we therefore call upon you to quickly investigate her actions as per her admission to Hon. Nkombo and to other witnesses we can bring to you. We also call for a recommendation from yourselves to the Republican President for her immediate suspension from office as we do not feel safe as she has so much power to do whatever she wants and she may interfere with investigations in this matter,” stated Zulu.

ECL WOULD NEVER MINCE HIS WORDS ON LGBTQ – GREYFORD MONDE

…as he casts doubts on the intended purpose of the Summit for Democracy

Lusaka, Friday, March 31, 2023 ( Smart Eagles)

It cannot be a Summit for Democracy if former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu does not attend, Patriotic Front Presidential Candidate Greyford Monde has said.

Speaking on DC TALK RADIO political Spectrum, Hon Monde said one cannot subtract from what former leader Edgar Lungu has done for the country.

He has cited the smooth transition of power in 2021 as one of the many instances the former President Showed that he is Democratic.

“We have always been a beacon of Democracy, there was no America to tell ECL give up power . We are generally Democratic, we believe in our own rules This is not about what we are doing as country. The US Vice President will be a key guest on the democracy session. If she is coming here in that regard I would have loved that she insisted the opposition to be a part of this democracy summit she is talking about,” he said.

And Hon Monde said If the agenda for the Summit was democracy, Zambian people and various stakeholders would have been in the know of what is happening from the onset.

He said what is likely be on cards be LGBTQ which will come in form of Human Rights.

Hon Monde said the country now waits to see what the current President will say about LGBTQ because his predecessor would never mince his words on such a topic.

“As of yesterday MPs were in the dark until last night in which the programme was being published,” he said.

Hon Monde who is also a former cabinet Minister said American morals would never be Zambian morals

“The Americans can never lie to us now. We have our independence and we want to run our country the way we want. When they give they want to attach conditions, then we compare whom are our friends the East or the West. The CHINESE will not dictate your way of life. Such conditions is what we are refusing through the Constitution,” he said.

President Hakainde Hichilema says changing legally elected governments through military coups should have no place in Zambia and the African continent as a whole.

And US President, Joe Biden, pledged nearly US$690 million to promote democracy across the globe.

Addressing the democratic community when he opened the African region session of the second summit for democracy, President Hichilema said African countries must desist from changing constitutionally elected governments through illegal means.

Mr Hichilema said African countries must embrace democratic means of changing governments through free, fair and transparent elections.

President Hichilema observed that Africa is littered with military coups which are unfortunately becoming the norm for changing governments.

“The summit for democracy is a significant one. It contributes to our firm resolve to strengthen our democratic governance on the African continent especially at a time when we have a number of countries experiencing military coups,” said President Hichilema.

He said military coups must never be entertained in African countries who should instead embrace the ballot to effect change in political governance.

He explained that the platform provided by the second summit for democracy must be used to devise measures and new commitments to furthering democracy on the continent.

President Hichilema further said Africa must mobilise and collectively respond to the challenges and threats the continent faces in its governance and development trajectory.

And President Hichilema has paid glowing tribute to African countries that rose above the pandemic environment and held elections in order to honour the constitutional requirements for holding democratic polls to maintain stability.

President Hichilema told the delegates from over 16 African countries attending the second summit for democracy to build capacity of electoral bodies to oversee free, fair and transparent elections under conducive environment.

Mr Hichilema also said although strong leaders are necessary to inspire and drive the spirit of democratic dispensation, strong institutions are also needed to provide checks arising from human excesses in the application of political power.

President Hichilema noted that Zambia is convinced that democracy is the best model of governance as demonstrated by her embracing it after abandoning one party state politics.

He shared with the delegates that Zambia has made a lot of undertakings since the inaugural summit for democracy.

President Hichilema pointed out that Zambia has embarked on a number of legislative reforms to deepen democracy.

He said his administration has repealed the law which criminalised defamation of the President as well as abolished the death penalty in order to be in tandem with contemporary democratic tenets.

President Hichilema pledged the UPND administration’s continued committed to reviewing the Public Order Act in order to promote freedom of expression, assembly and association.

President Hichilema has since assured the democratic community that his administration will never close down any media house as the fourth estate is an important player in the country’s democratic dispensation.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema praised US President, Joe Biden, for the summit for democracy initiative and selecting Zambia to co-host the second edition at a time when several African countries have made strides to improve democratic processes in respective countries.

He urged African countries to do more beyond the summit and incorporate the summit for democracy ideals in the daily life, functions and work of government and respective institutions.

Mr Hichilema said civil society can play an enhanced role in providing checks and balances in furthering democracy in respective countries.

And speaking at the African region second summit for democracy event in Lusaka, US Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, praised Zambia for being a beacon of democracy in Africa and the globe.

“What you have accomplished in Zambia is an inspiration to the world,” said Dr. Cardona.

Dr. Cardona stressed that democracy delivers hope for change and choices to effect change through the ballot and provides a chance for inclusive economic growth and development.

“Today, I have the honour of speaking from one of the bright spots. Zambia, this is your moment. Zambia’s reform agenda today presents a model democratic and economic renewal,” said Dr. Cardona.

He connected with the Zambian delegates when he said ‘Zambia Kuchalo’, and famously interpreted Dr Kaunda’s Tiyende Pamodzi slogan, as “Let’s roll together ‘ in advancing democracy.

Dr Cardona, who led the US delegation to the Lusaka summit, said Zambia stands out in her quest to strengthening her democratic dispensation.

He praised young people for realising their democratic potential and being a catalyst for effecting change of government through constitutional means.

“Zambia’s young people are raising the bar for the country’s future. Here in Zambia, young people stood in long lines, waiting to cast their vote, they were able to change and determine the course and future of the country,” he said.

The US Education Secretary said his country will continue to remain a strong partner in the democratic dispensation.

Dr. Cardona said Zambia’s free education policy should be used to promote civic education, necessary for enlightening young people about their democratic role in society.

And speaking earlier, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Stanley Kakubo, said the summit presented an opportunity for African countries to share best practices on democracy.

Mr Kakubo said it is time for Africa to plant seeds of democracy for the generations to come as it provides for peace, stability and economic growth and development.

Minister of Justice, Mulambo Haimbe, Chief Justice Mumba Malila, Speaker of the National Assembly, Nelly Mutti, were among Zambian dignitaries that attended the second summit for democracy Africa region session in Lusaka.

Also in attendance were members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of foreign governments and local and international civil society groups.

And addressing world leaders virtually during the second summit for democracy, US President, Joe Biden, pledged about US$690 million in new funding to support democracy across the globe.

President Biden said strengthening democracy is cardinal to ensuring that a governance system that promotes citizen participation and freedom of expression, assembly and association and human rights takes centre stage.

Mr Biden stated that democracy must not be allowed to backslide.

He said there is need to promote a resilient and sustainable democratic dispensation that respects and guarantees rights of citizens and provides space for inclusive economic growth and social political stability.

“Today, we can say with pride that the democracies of the world are getting stronger, not weaker. Autocracies of the world are getting weaker, not stronger,” said President Biden.

Minister of Finance Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane has told Parliament that Zambia’s external debt as at 31st January 2023 stood at USD13.96 billion, representing a 7.04 percent increase from USD13.04 billion posted in December 2021

In a Ministerial statement on the performance of the economy as at 31st January, 2023, Dr. Musokotwane said the increase in External Debt stock can be attributed to continued disbursements on existing project loans, mostly from multilateral institutions and bilateral creditors to finance on-going priority projects.

In the 29th March 2023 statement, the Minister of Finance addressed matters relating to developments in the global economy, performance of the Government Securities, budget performance and domestic economy.

On the local economy, Dr. Musokotwane said although the domestic economy is expected to face challenges associated with global developments, it is envisaged to remain resilient.

“The stock of Central Government external debt (excluding publicly guaranteed debt) as at end December 2022 stood at USD13.96 billion, representing a 7.04 percent increase from USD13.04 billion as at end December 2021. The increase in External Debt stock can be attributed to continued disbursements on existing project loans, mostly from multilateral institutions and bilateral creditors to finance on-going priority projects. Publicly guaranteed debt was USD1.45 billion as at end December 2022, declining by 5.14 percent from USD 1.53 billion at end December 2021. Madam Speaker, Arising from unsustainable debt levels and commencement of the debt restructuring process, the Ministry has continued implementing the debt service standstill to all creditors with the exception of multilateral creditors and priority projects. In this regard, USD 130.77 million was paid as debt service as at end December 2022. The debt service standstill also led to a 46.86 percent increase in Central Government arrears to External Creditors to USD 4.06 billion (being principal and interest) as at end December 2022, from USD2.16 billion recorded at end December 2021,” Dr. Musokotwane stated.

He said the Government is optimistic that the long-term sustainable path for the agro-sector is a reform of the Farmer Input Support Programme.

“Allow me to begin by reaffirming to this house that our ambition as a nation remains to achieve our medium-term targets of providing economic opportunities to all Zambians and becoming a middle-income country that is at the forefront of supporting the global energy transition and food security. The Government is optimistic that the long-term sustainable path for the agro-sector is a reform of the Farmer Input Support Programme, including migration to the e-Voucher, and more comprehensive farmer support such as scaling up extension services. Inflation was recorded at 15.1 percent in January 2022 and closed the year at 9.9 percent in December 2022. On an annual basis, inflation averaged 22.1 percent and 11.1 percent in 2021 and 2022 respectively. The continued slowdown in the inflation rate as at January 2023 was attributed to movements in prices of food and non-food items and the base effect. The appreciation of the Kwacha in the year 2022 was also among the drivers for the slowdown in Inflation. Risks to the positive movements in the inflation rate are identified and include: Tighter global financial conditions, Spillover effects from the global economy owing to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The impact of load shedding on economic activity and an increase in energy costs.”

On budget performance, Dr. Musokotwane said:”Total Revenues and Grants During the period under review, total collections of Revenues and Grants amounted to K9.2 billion and were 13 percent below the projection target of 10.4 billion. Tax Revenue accounted for K8.0billion, Non-Tax was K1.2 billion and nothing came from Grants. Income tax collections amounted to K4.9 billion against a target of K6.2 billion and were below target by 21percent. The underperformance was mainly attributed to lower than anticipated provisional tax declarations by the mining companies. i) Company Tax collections amounted to K2.2 billion against the target of K3.7 billion representing a negative collection variance of K1.4 billion or 39 percent below collection. Mining Tax- Mining tax amounted to K662 million and was below the target of K2.3 billion. The underperformance was mainly attributed to lower than projected profitability of major mining contributors. Non-Mining Tax-collections amounted to K1.6 billion against the target of K1.3 billion. The performance was attributed to intensified enforcement activities that included effective monitoring. Further, the increased sale of Government Securities also contributed to this positive performance.”

Dr. Musokotwane affirmed that the Government will continue to undertake growth enhancing programmes.

“In conclusion, economic performance in 2022 was generally fair; however, more needs to be done in 2023 and the medium-term, especially given risks such as a possible downturn in the global economic environment and resurgence of pandemic. Although the domestic economy is expected to face challenges associated with global developments, it is envisaged to remain resilient. Government will continue to undertake growth enhancing programmes, while mitigating to the fullest extent possible, the adverse spill-over effects from the current uncertain global reality. Undertaking reforms to unlock barriers will be key, especially in the agriculture and energy sectors. Enhanced collaboration with the private sector is also of paramount importance,” Dr. Musokotwane

LETTER TO PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA ON CDF ALLOCATION.

Dear Mr President,

May I firstly congratulate you, Your Excellency for embarking on a brave and ambitious journey of taking development to the furthest and most neglected places by past governments in our country using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Before January 2022, CDF allocation per constituency was at a meagre K1.6 million, which was not even consistently disbursed. But today, our people in each constituency are receiving an allocation of K28.3 million per year, without having to return what was left of the allocation in the previous year, something that never happened before the UPND formed Government.

Mr President sir, only 2 or 3 provinces across the country can boast of having urban districts, while the rest of the other provincial capitals can only be loosely described as peri-urban districts, and other districts described as rural areas.

In light this, I feel the equal allocation of CDF per constituency should be relooked so that we can have an equitable distribution of CDF per Constituency as per needs.

Urban Constituencies, particularly those in Lusaka, Livingstone, Ndola, Kitwe, Chipata and Choma are benefiting more from the national resources than the rural constituencies as urban constituencies also benefit largely from the Central Governments development agenda through construction of schools, roads, hospitals and clinics.

Lusaka district alone has more than four mini hospitals and 2 University Teaching Hospitals. Beyond this, Lusaka also has clinics across all compounds which are built using Central Government financing.

Further, Lusaka district alone has so many schools including public colleges and universities. The same scenario applies to other urban districts like Ndola, Choma, Kitwe and others but only remains a dream and a prayer for those in the rural areas.

Districts like Lunte in Northern Province, Shangombo in Western Province, Lumezi in Eastern Province and many others, only have about one clinic or three utmost. This means most of the people in these rural constituencies have to cover even up to 20kms to access what can only be termed as basic medical attention. In the spirit of equity distribution of national resources, is it not just right that these areas with more basic needs receive more from the national coffers?

It is therefore my suggestion Mr President, that you consider relooking the allocation of CDF from an equal to all or for all point of view to an equitable point of view. This will in turn help the people in rural constituencies have access to a decent life, where access to education, good health clean water, good and decent housing, communication, and good road network is eased.

This will also give a comparative advantage in terms of development to the rural constituencies if they are to be given a bigger chunk of the CDF compared to those in Lusaka and other urban areas which already have their fair share of the nation’s resources.

Sir, in order for these rural places to see rapid infrastructure development, be it in education, health housing, and access to clean water, there is need to apply CDF allocation in an equitable fashion.

Kabwata, Munali or any other constituency in urban areas should no longer receive the same allocation as Sioma, Chikankata or Luano districts. This is because the people have different needs and demands and those in rural areas have more demands and needs than those in urban areas.

For example, the people of Matero may not need CDF money to construct schools, while the people of Nega-Nega will need this money to build a school from scratch and houses for the teachers. Urban areas may only require funding to buy desks. The people in Lusaka may not need CDF to build a clinic because there are already plenty. But the people in Vubwi or Chasefu need these resources to construct clinics and even staff houses for nurses and clinical officers.

As I conclude, may I make an appeal to you sir, to consider relooking the CDF allocation policy in 2024 by reducing financing to constituencies that are already directly benefitting from Central Government and give to rural constituencies in order for people that may not yet see economic benefits from your Government to see the impact of your hard work in their lives.

I thank you and may God bless you.

Yours in service.

Edmond Mbanga Miti Jr.

PF WILL NOT BAND WITH A GROUP OF PUPPETS – MUNDUBILE

….we will remain steadfast and defend the interests of our country

By SMART EAGLES 🦅

Leader of the opposition in Parliament Hon Brian Mundubile says the Patriotic Front Members of Parliament will not be joining the list of puppets but that they will defend the interests of the people of Zambia.

Hon Mundubile says the people put the MPs in that Parliament to defend the interests and aspirations of this country and not to champion the interests of the imperialists.

“I will repeat what the Secretary General said. We as Members of Parliament from the left from the PF, we will not join in the list of puppets, who are going to sit back in fear and submit to imperialists. I want to state that we are not going to join that list of puppets, we will remain steadfast and defend the interests of the imperialists. People put us in that Parliament to defend the interests and aspirations of this country. So when we look at our Constitution, we are very clear in our minds, that some of these cultures that they are bringing are unconstitutional,” he said.

He said Zambia has cultures and norms that must be respected and that the imperialists should not dictate what the people should be doing in their own country.

“Can you imagine colleagues that we are just a few metres away from Mulungushi International Conference Center where this conference is taking place and one of my MPs came to tell me that for any updates he is talking to his friend in Costa Rica who is only giving me updates about what’s happening here. And if he fails, he’s also phones his friend in Korea, Netherlands, because we have no information,” he told journalists in Lusaka.

“Now, we must be very categorical. I want to start by talking about the position of democracy. Zambia is a constitutional democracy and the the condition of democracy and democracy is measured by fidelity to the Constitution. To what extent do we as a country follow our own constitution? We are surprised that we were chosen as the best destination or the best host for this particular event.”

The Mporokoso lawmaker also urged Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security to stop issuing threats to citizens who wish to express themselves.

“So clearly comrade Jack Mwiimbu, I want to say this as a warning to you . Minister, rethink your position. Do not think weaponizing the police and other security agencies is the way to go in a democracy. There comes a time my dear brother, when there is no amount of armour, there is no amount of gunfire that will restrain the people that would like to exercise their democratic rights. If you want to govern this country, govern it using the principles enshrined in the constitution. We have a constitution. We have a bill of rights, that gives them fundamental rights to demonstrate,” he concluded.

Halt the dangerous madness in the entire mining sector, nationalise it and free Zambia from debt, underdevelopment and poverty

By Azwell Banda

Unwittingly, Liswaniso Gilbert, UPND national youth chairman, perfectly exposed what is happening to our mineral sector under the UPND government when he proudly announced on radio, without much prompting, that he got free shares in a heavily contested mining company.

Liswaniso is an intelligent young man, and probably still desperately clings on to some moral principles. He is an important and very persuasive and influential leader in the UPND and country. His leadership position exposes him to a massive traffic of information about the goings on inside the UPND government and party, and our economy, especially the mineral sector of Zambia. Liswaniso’s confession about “his” unsavoury free shares must be understood in this context; no matter how “innocent” he believes he is.

Hakainde Hichilema and his minister of mines, Paul Kabuswe, do not tire preaching to us that it is better to resolve the crises in our key copper mines outside courts; clearly in secret boardroom negotiations. As I write this, Glencore, a natural resources multinational with an extensive global footprint in mining including in Zambia, is reported by Bloomberg to have been ordered by a federal judge in New York, USA, to pay $700 million as a criminal punishment for a global bribery scheme orchestrated by the Swiss-based commodity trading and mining giant. Bloomberg adds that the penalty is one of the largest in a foreign corruption case, and it is part of the $1.5 billion Glencore agreed to pay to resolve bribery and market-manipulation probes in the US, UK and Brazil.

“Glencore units agreed to plead guilty to a list of charges ranging from bribery and corruption in South America and Africa, to price manipulation in US fuel-oil markets,” Bloomberg says.

These are the kind of people Hakainde Hichilema who has never been in government pretends we should trust him and his minister to secretly negotiate with on our national behalf, for our natural resources. Meanwhile, we are aware that the Patriotic Front freely acknowledged that in fact it received US $150,000 in three tranches from First Quantum Minerals (FQM) when in government, when the ACC called the PF, now out of government, to question it on these moneys from FQM, in its accounts. The PF freely volunteered that it was in fact their late treasurer Alexander Chikwanda who had negotiated for these moneys from FQM. FQM somehow wants us to believe that the ACC, who had called PF to account for these details in the PF political party accounts, did not actually see that the money came from an FQM account, but it could have been from someone who had done some businesses with FQM and donated to PF! FQM vowed to make the PF confirm the FQM account the money would have been released from. I certainly may have missed the announcement of this proof of innocence, of FQM.

We read in The Mail and Guardian, a British newspaper, that a lobbying firm “with deep roots to the Conservative Party” in Britain, CT Group, co-owned by Lynton Crosby, planned “secretive African campaigns” in the DRC and possibly Zambia, on behalf of FQM, for millions of British pounds. Some of this firm’s work in Zambia prior to the August 2021 elections is still active today. The lobbying firm established an online news website that it boasts has become “a recognised independent voice of authority”.

“The ‘Open Zambia’ website continues to publish articles. It describes itself as ‘Zambia’s only independent news source’ and heralds its role in ‘promoting transparency’. The site, which frequently carries articles favourable to First Quantum, does not disclose it was established by a London-based lobbying firm,” The Guardian newspaper says. A look at the latest copy of “Open Zambia” website (http://www.openzambia.com/politics) confirms all this, down to a fake, overblown, ridiculously inaccurate positive assessment of the UPND’s first 18 months in office!

A core strategy of such “political consultancies” is to fatally ruin the political character of the opponent of their client by the use of sophisticated media tools and resources, both nationally and internationally. We have seen that 19 months after HH and the UPND won elections, they cannot free themselves from their own mental saturation of the demonising messaging they used, to denounce the PF. Many Zambians are now fed up with the unending UPND 2021 election campaign messaging and mentality. They want to experience the over promised UPND “reduced cost of living and doing business”, rather than hearing about how corrupt the PF were, and how they messed up Zambia. It’s not happening.

On the other hand, in secret negotiations in boardrooms, we have seen how the multibillion police charges ZCCM-IH had filed with the police against FQM directors have “vanished”, and instead ZCCM-IH has effectively handed over all of Kansanshi copper-gold mine to FQM, for a miserable regular loyalty fee linked to FQM being refunded VAT receipts! The Zambian public have been feasted on the news of the “fruits” of the “negotiations” and “settlement” and not the actual verbatim record of negotiations, to judge for themselves whether Zambia has been swindled or not, by FQM.

It is almost certain that the UPND will insult our history with Vedanta, and hand over KCM to them. HH and his friends are bidding their time while secretly plotting Vedanta return. By their own admission freely available on the internet, Vedanta never had the money they lied they had when they offered to buy KCM, they cheated President Levy Mwanawasa, they fraudulently acquired KCM, they concealed massive profits which they pocketed, they polluted our rivers and soils, they concealed profits to avoid paying tax, they left a huge bill of unpaid suppliers, Zambian workers complained about them, and Vedanta was therefore running the mine to the ground. These uncouth crooks are still the same people HH is secretly negotiating with. In time, make no mistake about this, we shall come to know all the details of why and how the UPND would have insulted us thus, and returned the mine to Vedanta.

At the heart of all social and political chaos, violence and civil wars in post-colonial Africa just as elsewhere, lies the vicious competition and bloody struggles for ownership, control and management of land and other natural resources. More than 4.5 million people have died in the past 30 years in the DRC, one of the richest places on earth, and our longest bordering neighbour. At the heart of the conflicts in the DRC is state or government failure to justly and equitably manage land and other natural resources. Similar violence and social chaos is playing out in northern Mozambique, our neighbour too. In Mozambique as in the DRC, it is the question of who, how and why natural resources benefit others and exclude some. We deceive ourselves if we think we are a unique people, we Zambians, and therefore are incapable of descending into social chaos and mass violence of all kinds.

Time is running out fast, especially now that it is clear the IMF will not deliver on the debt restructuring programme and life is becoming intolerably unbearable for the majority of Zambians. A genuine patriotic Zambian government, rooted in the mass of our people and not advancing the interests of a tiny criminal lying, thieving, corrupt, tribalist and fake rich coterie, would not hesitate to declare a state of national economic and social emergence and disaster, to enable government respond to the many urgent needs confronting the vast majority of suffering Zambians.

Rather than pretend that a fictitious “private sector” will in time address the dangerous levels of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, unemployment and inequalities affecting the majority of Zambians, such a government would use the state of emergence and national disaster to, among other things, nationalise our land and minerals sector and other strategic sectors and industries, in order to lay the foundation for national renewal, transformation and development. For themselves and the future of their children and our country, many current suffering ordinary Zambians would be willing to make massive sacrifices this time around, in order to create an economy and government that works for the vast majority of Zambian people and not just a selfish, lying, thieving, corrupt, and tribalist tiny section and its foreign backers.

Many Zambians are now aware that their main enemy is in fact at home; right here in Zambia – the lying, thieving, fake promising, corrupt, tribalist politician and “dealers” who have collapsed Zambia’s economy, amassed a massive debt, and now want to reduce Zambia into a five yearly alternating feeding trough among themselves.

Only such a government, supported by, and firmly rooted in the real interests of the vast majority of Zambians and therefore genuinely democratic, fully educated about lessons from the past, armed with resources from nationalised strategic economic sectors, would release the infinite amount of Zambian human talent and capacity to create, and combined with our natural resources, transform our economy, state and society to lay the basis for a qualitatively different, prosperous and peaceful future for Zambia.

There has never been a better global geo-political and economic climate to achieve this kind of genuine political and economic breakthrough, and independence, than now, for consciously impoverished neo-colonies like Zambia.

Comments to: banda.azwell@gmail.com

ZAMBIA SHOULD NOT ALLOW EXPOSING OF BUSH POLITICS TO THE DELEGATES COMING TO ZAMBIA FOR THE DEMOCRACY SUMMIT

By Stembridge Sikalundu

Let the UPND government broadcast on all the private and national media all the clips when PF was in action to brutalise zambians in comparison to the democracy they are complaining about which is out of politics of stupidity , let the delegates at the summit watch what the PF party did for seven (07) years on the zambian people before removing them from power , just before the summit is officially opened .

PF leaders are the least politically confused people who should not have forgotten how they took away Democratic values from the people of this country , instead of being greatful of what president HAKAINDE HICHILEMA has done since taking control of the country , in my view PF members are taking it foolish that Zambia is under the UPND government , who knew multi party politics would return to this normalcy ?, seeing them wanting to demonstrate is not only poised to create Political mileage , but to exhibit inferior politics in this country a d the entire globe , all the world leaders know what PF owes unforgivable appologiese to the people of this country , in fact if they want democracy taken away from them as a political party that is easy because the orgsnisation does not deserve to exist , let them know and feel it so that they can be demonstrating for the true things .

It is not long ago when we saw BOWMAN LUSAMBO with a placard screaming at the diplomats saying he was a member of Parliament expressing his right against persecution on corruption .

This is the nonsense am trying to highlight , which seemingly is growing under the disguise of a political organization .

We have seen a lot of intentions by the opposition leaders to draw attention on some useless domestic politics , it is undeniable the UPND has built the lost confidence to the international community and other would be investors to this country .

We have not forgotten how the world bank reported the externalizing of Aid funds to offshore accounts by the past regime .This has not settled well because the objective by the UPND govt is to improve the lives of citizens at all costs .

When foreign leaders come to this country , it is not time to expose politics of mediocrity , why should the opposition consider the visit of the US vice president an opportunity for exposing ” malabishi ” , politics of stupidity we detest in this country .

We have not forgotten when this country was visited by EDOGAN the Turkish president who was embarrassingly asked to help pay the national debt .

We had a situation where the two diplomats were expelled from this country for revealing corruption in government t and the smuggling of natural resources from this country when the EIA report was published . A passive government that was feared to mortgaging the future of this country should not stand the tall .

Our international relations in the country were constrained by the bad face of national mismanagement of our country’s resources . The FIC reports of 2017 /18 clearly stated who was stealing funds in the PF government .What morality does GIVEN LUBINDA have to order a protest when he also has to clear his name from the courts of law .

Why are the PF leaders who were bullies to the diplomats and the international community seeking attention now ? , The UPND government should not allow these opposition leaders who think they can damage the new reputation by the UPND to create relevance ,when this country was left in a mess . They think the foreign partners don’t know what the PF did to this country , street politics has a lot of unmerited reasoning at all times .

COCKTAIL OF INSULTS SPILL OVER TO UPND’S MATOMOLA

BY [ALF]

While Zambia is hosting a democracy summit and important delegates are thronging into the country, Zambians online were on Wednesday redirected to cocktails and cuisines of insults never heard before .

This was after Lily Mutamz Tv 40 who is based in the United Kingdom, threw several subliminal jabs at Singer Yo Maps Yo and the wife Kidist kifle

The two didn’t take the matter lightly but left peoples’ mouths ajar when they read well concocted unprintables directed at the UK based self proclaimed singer and youth activist’s post on Kiddists page .

Maps and Kiddist were recently married and it appears they are sticking to their vows ‘for better for worse’ or simply put … (In good times and in insults I will stand by your side).

While Kiddist was launching well baked insults under Mutambo (Mutamz) posts the husband in dreadlocks was in the background underscoring and backing his thick manana.

Kiddist has however deleted all the posts on her platform.

Rumors suggest that she was scared of being sued, because Mutamz has allegedly been accused of always running to court.

She previously sued Ivanka Bianca when she alleged that she gave people rotten egges in her bid to run for the Munali Parliamentary Seat in 2021.

Her recent post suggest that she could sue Maps when he told Chellah Tukuta that she almost lured him in bed for a feature with Ed Sheeran.

While the dust seemed to be settling, rulling UPND Lusaka Information and Publicity secretary Hon Matomola Likwanya made a post indicating that” Having a wife who is always picking fights with people on Facebook is stressful, uja guy amusunga che muzimai wa Bana 5 from different.

Even though no names were mentioned , Mutamz felt the post was directed at her .
She went ahead and disclosed how she assisted Matomola when the wife had a miscarriage.

“Matomola when you were homeless I paid your rent! When your wife Vanessa had a miscarriage I paid your hospital bill, when you were arrested me and my husband brought you food and he drove me and gave you cash when you were abandoned by UPND! You would call me asking for help I never hesitated but the moment you saw that I couldn’t be your bank you decided to become my enemy…. I feel sorry for Vanessa she married an evil man that can betray anyone! No wonder her family doesn’t like you!

You have the audacity to insult my husband??” She said.

Although Matomola is known for pocking his nose in business that doesn’t concern him, social media commentators suggested that it was insensitive for Mutamz to mention the issue of miscarriage.

The Author is a Digital Media Specialist
Public Relations Personel and an Investigative Journalist certified by the United States Embassy in Zambia.

AN ALL INCLUSIVE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN A MOCKERY IN ZAMBIA-MRS. HACHILONDE

30th March, 2023

Reebok Human Rights’ first African Award Winner Kavumbu Hakachima Hachilonde says an all inclusive Government has been a mockery in Zambia.

In a statement immediately after attending a sideline meeting on democracy with Americans yesterday, Mrs. Hachilonde observed that from time immemorial, women in Zambia have been lobbying all successful Governments to be genuinely inclusive during Government appointments to promote good governance, transparency and unity but alas all they get is mockery.

Mrs. Hachilonde adds that the cry of women in Zambia is falling on deaf ears because those with power are reluctant to listen to the plight of women despite ZAMBIA enacting the gender Equity and Equality act in 2015.

She further observed that Zambia risk developing policies that are not a reflection of people’s desires owing to the failure to honour and respect the National Gender Policy.

Mrs. Hachilonde has since called PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema to reconsider appointing a woman as minister of gender.

Mrs. Hachilonde has bemoaned the low number of female cabinet Ministers saying the Head of State can do better to at least increase the number of female representation in a quest to promote equity and equality in the country.

Bellow is her statement;

Create Malo (space) for more Women to participate in the Governance of Zambia.

We all know that Democracy is a form of Government where citizens have the authority to deliberate and decide legislation, or to choose governing officials to do so.

And I believe that a democratic leader will always listen to different voices as well as embracing social inclusion while at the helm of power, meaning even the marginalized groups such as youths, women and persons with disability will be part of decision making.

Zambia is part to many international instruments such as UN convention on human rights, African chater, the Sadc protocol etc basically all these speak about social inclusion.

From time immemorial, women in Zambia have been lobbying all successful Governments to be genuinely inclusive during Government appointments to promote good governance, transparency and unity but alas all we have been getting is mockery.

We have been speaking and our cry is falling on deaf ears, those with power are reluctant to listen to the women of Zambia.

You may say yes we need to be democratic but does Zambia really mean it. Does Zambia has space for the women? I mean is Zambia listening to the voices of women, youth and persons living with disability especially after the general elections? If yes, why don’t we have a minister for gender in Zambia to represent us if leaders truly respect the women who are even the majority voters, why do we have only 5 female cabinet ministers against 20 men?

Is that the best you can offer the women of Zambia? I think we can do better than that!

leaders in Zambia ought to realize that political participation is a right and not a privilege and it’s not a preserve for men only.

We need more women to take part in decision making because diversity is not only beneficial in itself, but it is evidently known that when women are highly qualified, they are, more responsible and less corrupt than men.

In fact having more women in position of influence would be a positive effect on economic outcomes and performance in terms of service delivery.

I reiterate women, youth and people living with disabilities need to participate in the governance of our country so that their needs are heard.

When one segment of society is sidelined, the development of the country is also affected.

Having said the above, i wish to call upon the President of the Republic of Zambia his Excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema to consider it a human rights issue to create more space for the women, youth and persons with disabilities to participate in the governance of our country.

I also call upon the President to reconsider appointing a woman as minister of gender.

Failure to do so may risk the country developing policies that are not a reflection of people’s desires.

Zambia Create Malo(space) for the marginalised groups and take the lead on social inclusion in Africa!!!

Kavumbu Hakachima Hachilonde…..

Reebok Human Rights Award Winner 2002 UTAH – USA.

The 2022 Satellite Home Survey (SHS) conducted by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflect (JCTR) has estimated that most bread winners in Zambia have an average monthly income ranging between K1000 and K3000.

The average cost of living for a family of five across the 16 towns JCTR monitored in February 2023 stood at K6, 637.

The 2022 SHS report discovered a number of key issues, including a revelation of 64% of households being headed by men who earn less than K4000.

“Earlier today, we held an engagement with stakeholders during the launch of our SHS Report. JCTR is renowned for tracking the cost of living in Zambia. And one way of monitoring the cost of living has been through the Satellite Home Survey (SHS). This bi-annual report of the living conditions of high-density areas in Lusaka highlights the living conditions experienced by households,” JCTR wrote in a media statement.

“The 2022 SHS report revealed a number of key issues, including a revelation of 64% of households being headed by men, these heads (breadwinners) had an average monthly income ranging between K1, 000.00 and K3, 000.00,” the Catholic faith based organisation stated.

JCTR is expected to release more findings of the 2022 Satellite Home Survey (SHS).

Meanwhile, some Ndola residents say they are struggling to manage three meals a day due to the prevailing high cost of living.

The residents complained that the rising cost of living has forced them to buy pre-packed mealie meals in small plastics commonly known as Pamela.

They said most households in low income communities are failing to buy essential commodities, including mealie meals due to the current high prices of goods and services.

JCTR Executive Director Fr. Alex Muyebe recently lamented the prevailing high cost of living in the country.

Fr. Muyebe said the upward movement in the cost of living is attributed to increased prices in food items such as rice, kapenta, cassava flour and fruits.

Fr. Muyebe said the JCTR observed that during the month under review, the Energy Regulation Board pump price of petroleum products rose significantly while the local currency continued to depreciate against major currencies such as the dollar.

“Furthermore, the month of January saw an increase in mealie meal prices, which resulted in an increase in the prices of substitutes such as rice and cassava flour in the month of February.
It is worth noting that the prices of other fruits, such as mango, apple, orange, and guava (price based on the cheapest fruit in a given season), increased as mangoes went out of season.

JCTR remains concerned about the high cost of living. Women and girls continue to bear the brunt of the impact of rising cost of living. This becomes especially important as the JCTR prepares to join the rest of the world in commemorating International Women’s Day. JCTR recognises that women continue to play an important role in economic development. However, despite them comprising more than 50 percent of Zambia’s population, women and girls still lag behind their male counterparts in terms of economic, social and political participation,” Fr. Muyebe stated.

Fr. Muyebe bemoaned the impact of the high cost of living on women and the poverty situation in the country.

He urged the Government to address the cost-of-living head on by increasing the minimum wage and increasing social protection allocations.

HH must use the visit by Kamala Harris & the Democracy Summit to politically score on President Lungu: he wins more hearts that way

By Dr. Chris ZUMANI Zimba

1. President HH is faced with two key political opportunities this week to score on the former president he recently told: “Kutumpa Uku” by merely ensuring that ECL is included and recognized somehow.

2. The idea of treating Lungu like unwanted senior citizen in a country he at some point governed does not score anything positive for our leader, HH. Every time he treats Lungu like a rotten & toxic meat for dustbin, he, himself as sitting president loses out.

3. If US Vice President, Kamala Harris does not pay courtesy call on the only living former president, then our President HH would have missed an opportunity to score on Lungu. When Lungu was in power, he always guided Cabinet to ensure that key political leaders who visited Zambia paid courtesy calls on KK and RB. That’s how you score as a sitting president.

4. If this 2023 Democracy Summit in Lusaka does not invite ECL as a key delegate who willingly conceded defeat and peacefully handed over power in 2021, then Americans are also practicing true political witchcraft of double standards. Witches smile at you during the day but ”ukufulamila usiku”.

5. If President HH does not recognize the importance of smooth transition of power, his so called democracy allies, the Americans should guide him to do so by helping him to use these two events to recognize Lungu somehow.

6. By the way, Lungu is one key democracy champions today both in Zambia and Africa simply by what he did in 2021. We should not hate people in such a way that we rubbish and insult everything they did including good things. We believe Americans don’t practice Political witchcraft & will do the right thing.

7. If this democracy summit is truly what the hosts claim it is, hosting it here in Zambia must not just be attributed to President HH, but also to Lungu who made sure HH participated in that election, won and power was peacefully given to him. Failing to recognize that gesture is just another true political witchcraft.

8. If this democracy summit does not bring more political unity, reconciliation and true stakeholders engagements and partnership in Zambia, then the whole exercise of hosting it is both politically futile and wasteful venture.

9. And our President, HH must be reminded that he is not the first nor the last president of Zambia. These elective political offices are surely temporary and will live beyond all of us.

10. As such, a person in power like him must learn from his predecessors and become focused on building a good legacy for everyone than being preoccupied with political vengeance and vindictiveness.

NB: Dr Chris ZUMANI Zimba is a Political Scientist, Researcher, Lecturer & Consultant specialized in Comparative Global Governance and Democratic Theories. He holds a PhD, MA, BA and Cert in Political Science; he has authored many books and articles in politics and academics.

IF I’LL BE THERE IN 2026, I’LL STILL GIVE MY SUPPORT – NKOMESHYA

By Kombe Chimpinde Mataka

SENIOR chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo II says Zambians to should give support to President Hakainde Hichilema in 2026.

She says President Hichilema deserved two terms because he has done so much for Zambians.

In her vote of thanks during the commissioning of the fifth generator unit at Kafue Gorge Lower on Friday, Nkomeshya said if it meant supporting President Hichilema, even in her I’ll health, she will do so in 2026.

“I am sick and I haven’t even been walking properly. The President of republic of Zambia gave me an opportunity and chance to travel abroad for medical treatment outside my hospitals here in Zambia and I am greatful to you your Excellency.

There is nothing that I can give you your Excellency but my assurance to you is that I offer my support to you today and many days to come,” Nkomeshya said. “If I will be there which is a big question mark, yes I am saying if I will be there in 2026, I will still give you my support because I have seen what you have done for this country and how you have suffered yourself.

How you have missed death by inches for the sake of all of us here in Zambian. What is it that we can give back to you, to say thank you Mr President? For me it is the support that I will continue to give to him. I want to say that.”

She said she was unpopular among government administrations because of her honesty when it comes to the governance of the country.

“The previous administration by then I am not back biting, if there are people to take the message they can do so. I am not afraid…” she said.

Nkomeshya narrated the happenings at the initial launch of the Kafue Gorge Lower.

She said she also skippedd the tour of the plant and decided to remain in the main arena where speeches would be given because she was unwell.

“I had been given to give a vote of thanks but I was waiting for my president to give a keynote speech just as his counterpart today has done. But I was called upon to speak before the keynote speech and I spoke because I was given chance to speak,” she said. “I told him I was told to speak before him and there was no politics.

And when the president spoke he said ‘in this country I have only got one person who gives me problems and you your royal highness chief Nkomeshya go and tell him that come August 12, 2021, the instruments of power, I will give them back to myself’.”

Nkomeshya said she told then president, Edgar Lungu that he did not know the mood of the people to declare that he would win but that if he won it would also be the people’s will.

She said there was no politics in her criticisms and that as a Christian of the Catholic faith her church implores her to speak for the poor.

“I have been doing this for the rest of my life,” she said.

Nkomeshya also advised President Hichilema to speak and stand for the people.

“Mr President, my President, speak for your people. Suffer for your people, that is what you offered to do,” she said.

Nkomeshya said in the few months in office Presisdent Hichilema had done so much and that he should be supported.

“We need to show that appreciation for what he has done. But I hear some sentiments coming from other people but I think if things are done well it is important and necessary for us to show that appreciation,” she said.

She said she was grateful that God has given her life to be present at the commissioning of the fifth power generator at the Kafue Gorge Lower.

She paid special tribute to the Chinese government for the assistance rendered to Zambia.

“The work they have done it is actually difficult to itemise but it is there for everybody to see what they have done without asking anything from us,” said Nkomeshya.

The Mast

Zambia’s President: ‘You Cannot Eat Democracy’

…..”My two predecessors took an authoritarian turn. As mismanagement destabilized society, rights were suppressed to retain control.”….

Analysis by Hakainde Hichilema | Bloomberg
March 28, 2023 at 1:12 a.m. EDT

I know the rough edges of an imperfect democracy. Until 2021, much of my adult life was spent in opposition in Zambia.

Charges of treason and 15 stints in jail came with the role. But as the 2023 Summit for Democracybegins in Washington D.C. — co-hosted by my nation along with the US, South Korea, Costa Rica and the
Netherlands — two questions are paramount in the global search to protect and rejuvenate the democratic process.

First, what measures can countries around the world take to improve democracy within our own borders? And second, how can we collectively create the international conditions in which democracies will flourish?

The former requires introspection. In Zambia, a national conversation has begun about our democracy. One-party rule came to an end in the early 1990s and we are still a young democracy forging our path.

With an average age of 18, our citizens are also young. Few remember the struggle for a multiparty system. It is important my generation hear what democracy means to them.

My two predecessors took an authoritarian turn. As mismanagement destabilized society, rights were suppressed to retain control.

Across the nation dissent was quashed and protests dispersed. To overcome rigging in the 2021election, the people had to turn out in numbers beyond the simple majority required to oust the incumbent.

Since then, my government has returned our democracy to health, shoring up the civil liberties the people demanded: the right of assembly, an end to defamation laws that challenged free speech, and removing the death penalty.But you can’t eat democracy.

Human rights may sustain the spirit, but not the body. Particularly in young democracies like mine, governments must deliver economically if they are to retain the people’s consent.

When multiple administrations fail to do so, disillusionment can grow not just with them but with the process itself.

Few will subsequently fight when it’s on the line.

I came to office with no illusions about the hurdles my country faced. In late 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Zambia became the first African country to default on its sovereign debt – though the global crisis was not to
blame.

Reckless borrowing and profligate corruption had gutted the economy. When my predecessor took power, debt stood at 32% of gross domestic product. By the time he left, it had ballooned to 120%.

Before the election,food inflation had topped 30% while annual inflation stood at 25%; more than 40% of adults could afford only one meal a day.

Panicked because the people would not take such deprivation any longer, the former president went into pork barrel overdrive, exacerbating the debt crisis.

After the election, there was initial progress to restructure Zambia’s debt and return to the path of stability. Talks have since dragged on.

The International Monetary Fund says the impasse poses a threat to the economy. I
would argue it is also a threat to our democracy.

Zambia has undertaken reforms in anti-corruption, transparency, and management of public funds.

These difficult and potentially unpopular measures are required to restore credibility. But if citizens do not see democracy improving their lot — if no economic relief follows — the system will feel the strain.

Of course, debt restructuring is complex. In Zambia’s case, it includes a variety of creditors — from multilateral institutions and countries to private lenders and asset managers.

Mid-pandemic, as the credit crunch took hold
and the cost of borrowing rocketed, the Group of 20 established the Common Framework to deal with such complexities.

It lays down a set of principles around which debt-distressed nations and creditors can come together to negotiate restructuring.

But despite the reforms Zambia has undertaken, the format is proving cumbersome and bureaucratic.

The resulting delays are putting pressure on the local currency, prices are once again creeping up, and much-needed international investment is blocked. Perversely, the debt run up by an autocratically disposed predecessor are stymying a democratic government’s provision of economic security for its citizens.

This system does little to strengthen democracies.

This is not a gripe about my country’s troubles. We are only the first in a long queue of nations in a looming crisis. According to the United Nations Development Programme, 54 countries are facing severe debt stress; and 25 of them are in Africa.

More will enter the G20 Common Framework. A swift and comprehensive mechanism is
required to replace today’s ad hoc, slow and messy process. Without reprieve, many democracies will face existential pressure from the people.

There is a danger that widespread dislocation and instability will follow.Then the questions will begin: What has democracy done for me? Why this chaos? Do we need to turn to a firm,
steady but autocratic hand? These are the dangerous prologues to democratic unravelling.

We cannot simply parrot lines about how democracy is good for citizens. It must be felt. Democracy is delicate.

We cannot let debt damage it in the tumult.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Hakainde Hichilema is the president of Zambia.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion
©2023 Bloomberg L.P.

By Jonas Shakafuswa

THE WEST IS AN ENEMY

For the Western Countries to to think they can still influence global opinion is a pipeline dream.

They championed religion, colonialism, imperialism and other evils on human society. They created human conflicts which are still alive today.

Today only foolish African Leaders can embrace Western ideas of their so called Democracy.

Look at the world today. It is the Western greed which has perpetually made the Palestinian less human, based on false religious teachings that the Israelites are the only chosen race by God.

The God we know created Man in his own image. Not the image of the Jews. Every human kind is God’s children.

The Arab world is on fire because of Western ideological insanity. The French continued colonialisation of most West African Countries can’t be tolerated in this age and era.

It is like there are no Leaders in Western Africa who think with their heads. They have allowed France to steal their wealth in broad daylight.

For the West, the Cold War should never come to an end. Yes we are inclined to Eastern ideology which promote family and human values.

We might not agree with the dictatorial and atrocious behavior of Russia, but appreciate their emphasis on family values.

The Champion today is undeniably China.The East will not force you to abandon human values in preference to sick unnatural values like LGBT.

This will never have roots in Zambia. Even wild animals refrain from such acts. They are unnatural.

The West want us to behave worse than dogs. The US is better keeping their sick agenda to themselves. We are not poor. We just have poor leadership in Africa who glorify the western thieving way of life.

Leadership who want to be Western Capitalst by embracing western Capitalism way of life. The West does not have the resources we possess.

They depend on our resources. We can also deny them our resources in preference to trade with Countries who respect our values. They are busy depleting our resources without the benefit of our nationals.

We remain poor because our leaders are abetting this open theft of resources for kick backs. Why should we be poor in the land of plenty? Shame on Poor leadership.

DEMOCRACY SUMMIT LIKELY TO HAVE NO MEANINGFUL DISCUSSIONS IF ALLEGED THREAT POSED BY US TO SOVEREIGNTY OF AFRICAN STATES IS NOT DISCUSSED

A Consortium of Civil Society Organizations which include the Zambians for Unity, Peace and Development and the Advocates for National Development and Democracy has charged that there will be no meaningful discussions at the forthcoming Summit for Democracy to be co-hosted by Zambia if delegates cannot discuss the threat the United States is bringing to the sovereignty of African States.

In a joint statement read by Advocates for National Development and Democracy Executive Director Samuel Banda, the organizations have charged that when an announcement was made last year that Zambia was to co-host the summit, they were elated with the development as they felt key issues associated with democracy were to be discussed and expected frank discussions between the west and Africa, as well as other participants.

Mr. Banda has told Journalists at a media briefing that their view is that democracy is about popular choices and popular decisions and sovereignty adding that they expected US Vice President Kamala Harris and participants from Africa to engage in an honest manner on these issues and not reduce democracy to elections.

He has alleged that America has passed the countering malign Russian activities in Africa act which is aimed at punishing African states who exercise their sovereign rights to freely decide to trade with Russia, and in extension China.

And Mr. Banda has charged that while CSOs in the country are happy with the position taken by President Hichilema on gay rights, this message needs to be said to the US Vice President straight and clear and emphasis should be that Zambia’s cultural and traditional heritage should be respected and should not be replaced with foreign cultural ideologies such as the support and endorsement of the LGBTQ agenda.

Meanwhile Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba has warned suspected individuals and groupings with ill-intentions to champion what he terms as causes that may be alien to Zambia and inimical to its tradition and cultural values during the summit and visit of the US Vice President that his officers will deal with them.

Mr. Kajoba says enough officers will be deployed to cover the summit venue and other areas of concern.

PHOENIX NEWS