Suchergebnisse

Zambia adopted a new constitution. General elections were held. Incumbent president Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front (PF) polled over the 50% needed for re-election but the results were challenged by the runner-up Hakainde Hichilema, candidate of the United Party for National Development (UPND). Post-electoral violence escalated in UPND strongholds. The PF secured a majority of parliamentary seats for the first time, while the first direct elections for mayors/council chairpersons revealed a clear balance between the PF and the UPND. The referendum on a new Bill of Rights failed. Lungu's international trips intensified with the strategic goals of attracting foreign investors and strengthening bilateral relations with key partners in Africa and the Middle East. Conditions for economic growth remained tough. The electricity supply deficit continued to affect households, mining activities and other business. The currency improved and copper prices increased. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Zambia became increasingly authoritarian under Patriotic Front (PF) President Edgar Lungu, who had been elected in a tightly contested presidential election in 2016. The runner-up, the United Party for National Development (UPND), engaged in a series of actions to challenge the validity of the results. The UPND saw 48 of its legislators suspended for boycotting Lungu's state of the nation address and its leader, Hakainde Hichilema, was arrested on charges of treason after his motorcade allegedly blocked Lungu's convoy. Independent media and civil society organisations were under pressure. A state of emergency was declared after several arson attacks. Lungu announced his intention to run in the 2021 elections and warned judges that blocking this would plunge the country into chaos. The economy performed better, underpinned by global economic recovery and higher demand for copper, the country's key export. Stronger performance in the agricultural and mining sectors and higher electricity generation also contributed to the recovery. The Zambian kwacha stabilised against the dollar and inflation stood within the target. The cost of living increased. The country's high risk of debt distress led the IMF to put off a $ 1.3 bn loan deal. China continued to play a pivotal role in Zambia's economic development trajectory. New bilateral cooperation agreements were signed with Southern African countries. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

This year saw a continuation of the trend of democratic erosion in the country. The Patriotic Front (PF) government, headed by President Edgar Lungu, used selected laws and regulations to demobilise critical voices and institutions. The Constitution Amendment Bill aroused fierce contestation, with several sections of civil society claiming that it undermined basic democratic principles and urging the government to withdraw it. A series of by-elections triggered violence between the PF and the major opposition party, the United Party for National Development (UPND). Incumbent and opposition parties faced increased intra-party polarisation. China played a key role in financing the country's largest infrastructure projects despite mounting resentment against the country. New accords were signed with Russia, India, and Japan. Zambia opened a consulate in Dubai. The economy grew by only 2% due to the severe droughts which impacted electricity generation, agriculture production, mining outputs, and other sectors of activity. The IMF paid visits to the country and warned about the need for reduced external borrowing and sustained fiscal adjustment in order to improve macroeconomic performance. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion