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12 Things You Need To Know About The Power Struggle In Zambia

12 Things You Need To Know About The Power Struggle In Zambia

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Following the death of Zambian President Michael Sata, Vice President Guy Scott was named interim leader of the country. Power struggles are evident in the ruling party, as well as within rival parties. A presidential election for the new Zambian president is expected in January 2015. Scott is ineligible to run for office. The future of the Zambian government is unclear. Here are 12 things you need to know about the power struggle in Zambia.

Sources: NYTimes.com, BBC.co.uk, AfriqueJet.com, DW.de

ZambiaDailyNation.com
ZambiaDailyNation.com

Acting President Guy Scott has been suspended from the Patriotic Front

On Nov. 21, 2014, the governing Patriotic Front political party suspended Guy Scott for “unconstitutional conduct and for abrogating the party constitution,” according to a party spokesman, Malozo Sichone. However, they said he would remain the interim leader of the country.

Source: NYTimes.com

Mwebantu.com
Mwebantu.com

Scott failed to consult the Patriotic Front’s central committee

In a statement to BBC, governing Patriotic Front spokesman Sichone talked about Scott’s suspension. “Since the president’s death, it has become clear that Dr. Scott has been following his own agenda. He has been hiring and firing people for no apparent reason and without consulting the party’s central committee.” Sichone said Scott refused to meet with the committee to discuss the election process.

Source: BBC.co.uk

Mwebantu.com
Mwebantu.com

Scott has been accused of exerting undue influence on the media

In addition to the charges of undercutting the constitution, Scott has also been accused by party members of influencing the news media to further his own cause. Some say he has tried to portray himself as Africa’s first democratically elected white president, when, in fact, he never won a presidential election.

Mwebantu.com
Mwebantu.com

Scott has been at odds with the leader of a rival faction in the Patriotic Front

Since assuming office, Scott has been at odds with Edgar Lungu – Zambia’s minister of defense and the leader of a rival faction of the Patriotic Front. In early November, Scott fired Lungu as party secretary general, but reinstated him shortly afterwards under pressure from protesters. Many suspect Scott tried to sack Lungu as he has his own candidate in mind for the presidential nomination.

LusakaTimes.com
LusakaTimes.com

Following Sata’s death, Lungu filed a petition challenging Scott’s position as interim leader

Lungu was named acting president while the late Michael Sata was seeking medical attention in London – a position he still held at the time of Sata’s death. He filed a petition with the Lusaka High Court challenging the presidential power transfer from him to Scott. He claimed he unwillingly ceded power because of threats of treason by the attorney general.

LusakaTimes.com
Mwebantu.com

Lungu is considered a frontrunner for president in the upcoming election

Lungu has made his belief known that the Patriotic Front’s central committee, comprised of 53 members, should choose the party’s candidate for the presidential election. Scott, along with his supporters, however, has said that a conference should be held amongst thousands of delegates to nominate the candidate.

MMDZambia.org
MMDZambia.org

The party remains deadlocked as to how the presidential candidate selection process will proceed

After a central committee meeting chaired by Scott, no resolution was reached as to the mode of adoption of the presidential candidate. Scott said, “We will go to the central committee but our constitution will determine the way forward and lawyers will have to come in to interpret. I am not prepared to be part of a non-democratic process. You cannot impose the wish of a small elite group.”

Source: AfriqueJet.com

Mulenga Sata AmaLocal.co.zm
Mulenga Sata AmaLocal.co.zm

Several politicians have been named as possible Patriotic Front nominees

In addition to Edgar Lungu, several other politicians are also rumored to be seeking the party’s nomination for the presidential election. These include the late Michael Sata’s son and current mayor of Lusaka, Mulenga Sata; Sata’s widow, Christine Kaseba-Sata; former Defense Minister Geoffrey Mwamba; and Commerce and Trade Deputy Minister Miles Sampa. Former Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda has also expressed interest.

Christine Kaseba-Sata  StartingHereStartingNow.net
Christine Kaseba-Sata
StartingHereStartingNow.net

It is unclear whether proximity to Sata will help his son and widow win the nomination

Many are unsure whether Sata’s son and widow will have an edge in gaining the presidential nomination given their relation to the former president. Lee Habasonda, president of the Zambian chapter of Transparency International, said, “Zambia is a democracy and we tend to shy away from dynasties.”

Source: DW.de

ZambiaReports.com
ZambiaReports.com

Many are concerned the PF infighting will cost it the election in January

Due to the infighting within the party, many are worried that the Patriotic Front will be unable to unite to win the upcoming presidential election come January. As Sata’s widow, Christine Kaseba-Sata, said, “The grief I feel is nothing compared to the pain that would result from the destruction of his (Sata’s) party and abandonment of his ideals.” The power vacuum that has existed since Sata’s death could make voters think the party is unable to rule.

Source: DW.de

Rupiah Banda Mwebantu.com
Rupiah Banda
Mwebantu.com

The former ruling party, the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), is also experiencing difficulty choosing a candidate

Rupiah Banda, Zambia’s former president, complicated matters for the Movement for Multiparty Democracy, the former ruling party, when he announced his intention to seek the presidential nomination for his party. Current MMD president Nevers Mumba said he is the sole presidential candidate as backed by the party constitution, and accused Banda of using the “back door” in his attempt to seek the nomination.

Hakainde Hichilema ZambiaReports.com
Hakainde Hichilema
ZambiaReports.com

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has used party squabbles to try to gain support

UPND President Hakainde Hichilema has used the opportunity to try to demonstrate the ability of his party to lead the country. The UPND said it “regrets” the squabbles between the other parties, and believes it is uniquely equipped to lead Zambia next year. Hichilema said, “What needs to be done requires strength and unity of purpose. It is therefore essential that any party putting itself forward for the presidential by election has its own house in order first. Otherwise, squabbling and infighting will quickly distract it from delivering on its promises, which will then remain only words and never actions.”

Source: AfriqueJet.com