Vol 59 No 12 | ZAMBIA Squeaking in and cutting back 15th June 2018 The Patriotic Front is crowing over its narrow defeat of the United Party for National Development (UPND) in a by-election in the swing constituency of Chilanga, just outside...
Vol 59 No 11 | ZAMBIA Debt spike threatens reserves 1st June 2018 The uncontrolled borrowing by the Lungu circle is growing too large to cover up Having said it was certain of its figures, Zambia's Ministry of Finance has once again revised its external debt upwards, from US$8.7 billion to $9.1 bn. While its...
Vol 59 No 10 | ZAMBIA A swirling fog of debt 18th May 2018 The government is suspected of dishonestly reporting its debts, as it chases every last ounce of credit Creditors, investors and the opposition believe President Edgar Lungu's management of national finances is plunging the country into a debt crisis. The Ministry of Finance issues desperate-sounding statements...
Vol 59 No 8 | ZAMBIA As the debts balloon, Lungu avoids the spotlight 20th April 2018 The finance minister starts crisis talks with the IMF after the government fails to convince creditors As leaders of the 53 Commonwealth member states gathered in London for the 15-17 April summit, one African head of state was conspicuously absent. Amid growing concern that... READ FOR FREE
Vol 59 No 7 | ZAMBIA Into the valley of debt 6th April 2018 Edgar Lungu's government has no plans to stop spending, but the amount that it owes is rapidly growing beyond control Demands for clarity on Zambia's national debt are intensifying, as the standoff with the International Monetary Fund continues and senior figures in government fear a Zimbabwe-style economic crisis...
Vol 59 No 3 | ZAMBIA Judges to rule on Lungu's future 26th January 2018 Opposition MPs accuse the President of putting an unqualified judge on the Constitutional Court The Constitutional Court was ordered to resume hearings on whether or not President Edgar Lungu may serve a third term of office on 30 January. But Court president...
Vol 59 No 2 | ZAMBIA Lungu's costly power play 25th January 2018 Extending his time in office is the President's chief priority although a debt crisis looms amid volatile party realignments Whether or not President Edgar Lungu manages to convince the Constitutional Court that he is entitled to a further term in office when his current one ends in...
Vol 58 No 25 | ZAMBIA Stumbling into a debt crisis 15th December 2017 A mountain of loans for expensive infrastructure and equipment is rapidly growing along with other loans that many fear are unsustainable Amid growing concerns over the scale and urgency of Zambia's impending debt crisis, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have joined those who believe the country...
Vol 58 No 23 | ZAMBIA Patriotic front on back foot 17th November 2017 The governing Patriotic Front is looking more and more like a personal vehicle for President Edgar Lungu, now that a splinter party with a strong footing in the...
Vol 58 No 22 | ZAMBIA Hichilema pushes for Commonwealth talks 3rd November 2017 Negotiations on political reform between President Lungu and the opposition are due, but many doubt he will take the process seriously Commonwealth Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari is due in Lusaka this month to mediate in talks between President Edgar Lungu's ruling Patriotic Front and opposition parties as part of...