Zambia's future uncertain

Tuesday 19 August 2008

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa's died at age of 59 in a French hospital on Tuesday, leaving vice-president Rupiah Banda as his successor. New elections should be help in the next three months.

Tuesday 19 August 2008

By Reuters

LUSAKA - Zambia will maintain its prudent macroeconomic policies following the death of the country’s President Levy Mwanawasa, Finance Minister Ng’andu Magande said on Tuesday.

Mwanawasa, 59, who was well-respected among donors for policies that have helped boost growth and for clamping down on corruption, died in a French hospital after suffering a stroke in June.

”It’s indeed a tragedy because he was a good captain, but I am sure another captain will be found to steer the ship,” Magande told Reuters.

”The good thing is that he taught all of us how to govern this country with integrity.”

Zambia’s economy has averaged 5 percent growth over the last six years and the inflation rate declined to single digits in 2006 for the first time in over three decades, although it has accelerated recently on higher global fuel and food prices.

Zambia did not need political changes and would focus on boosting economic growth, he said.

”We have never had it this way since we gained independence and nothing will really change, everything looks positive,” Magande said.

Zambia’s kwacha currency fell as much as 3 percent on news of Mwanawasa’s death.

The International Monetary Fund and other Western donors extended billions of dollarsindebt relief to Zambia after Mwanawasa curbed government spending and launched the biggest anti-corruption drive since independence from Britain in 1964.

”We will surely find someone wearing the same team shirt and macroeconomic policy will continue the same way,” Magande said. ”Economic transformation will continue so we can sustain our political and economic gains.”

[1] reactions :

21/08/2008 05:16:06 Alert a moderator

My condoleances to the Zambian people!

By FELIX KAPUTU - KYOTO

Mwachuleni Mwembose! All my condolences to the Zambian people and the family of President Levy Mwanawasa. Zambia has lost a president who has honored his country and Africa as a whole.
It is said that he studied Law, we can say without fear of being contradicted, he experienced the profound sense of justice in applying it to the daily management of public affairs.
He managed to fight corruption by addressing the (corrupt) persons who, in other lands, would be untouchable. He managed to recover the stolen money in the treasury and has transformed the fight against corruption in his horse battle. It is with pride and justice he managed to save his country from the crisis the most disastrous and force the unanimity of international financial institutions. They rewarded him for all his fight in cancelling the debts of his country.
Everyone was also remembered for his courage within the SADC. Even though several African heads of state have never dared to confront President Mugabe, he openly accused him of having ruined Zimbabwe. With courage and justice, he compared Zimbabwe to a "Titanic – ship- in Perdition" and invited the ill-pilot to leave control.
However, in its human limitations, President Mwanawasa has, of course, failed to save his country from completely misery - AIDS, hunger - because several Zambians still live under the poverty line. But it was the first major step undertaken by this outstanding leader, an exemplary and ascetic. He throughout his fight forgot his own person and his fragile health for the survival of his country. It is the duty of all Zambians politicians - I would even say all the Zambian people – to take this legacy in hands, make it its pride and why not become torchbearers of such high democratic and leadership values within the SADC, the UA, doubtless also within the UN because our world needs several Levy Mwanawasa.
May his soul rest in peace! Nga aye tusha mu Chibote, kwena ashale mu mitima ya Bena Zambia bonse!