Zambian Politics Update

The race has progressed a bit now, but not much has changed. The candidates have lobbed bombs at each other through the media, and are courting voters through campaign trips and other advertising. A few items of note:

Noalition: The rumored coalition between PF and UNDP is apparently off, as neither Sata nor Hichilema is willing to play second fiddle and become the other's Vice President. Former President Kenneth Kuanda held a meeting between the two parties to try to build a coalition, but Sata walked out after Hichilema said he could not support Sata because he is "incapable" of leading Zambia.

No Need to Vote?: On September 19th, MMD candidate and Acting President Rupia Banda declared that he would win the election on October 30th.

Observers Approved: On September 22nd, Banda announced that he has invited international election observers to monitor the October 30th election.

Yes, We Can?: Banda's MMD party gave 15 million kwacha (about $4,300) to the National Revolution Party, ostensibly to help the party energize its young voters and increase youth turnout. The other parties criticized Banda for trying to buy the party's support in the upcoming election. The problem with Banda's claim: the NRP spokesperson told the Post that the money was in return for the party's endorsement. Whoops.

American Style Justice: Sata's party, the Patriotic Front, has threatened to sue the government-controlled television station ZNBC if it does not cover the PF party fairly and professionally during the campaign. PF did not attempt to define "fair" or "professional."

Fair and Balanced?: The MMD has complained to the Media Council of Zambia that the Post newspaper's editorial coverage of the party is inaccurate, biased, and unfair. MMD also filed a court case, and the Zambia High Court issued an injuction yesterday (September 28th) barring the Post (a privately owned newspaper) from printing "libelous" claims against Banda. The Post responded with a full-page editorial today entitled, "Rupiah, a Shameless Liar," defending its articles and disavowing libel charges.

It should be noted that the UNPD and PF continually complain about the two state-run newspapers being unfairly biased in support the MMD.

I'm Rupiah Banda, and I approved this message: An MMD spokesperson insinuated to the newspaper the National Mirror that Michael Sata and the PF party was responsible for former President Mwanawasa's debilitating and eventually life-ending stroke by being so critical of Mwanawasa's administration.