Metro

Zambian opposition party decries rise in tribalism, corruption, calls for national dialogue

Published

7 months ago

April 19, 2024

One of Zambia’s main opposition party, the Socialist Party (SP), has decried what it calls the rising tribalism, repression and corruption pervading the country, while calling for a serious national dialogue to address the issues.

National President of the SP, Dr Fred M’membe, who made the call in a statement in Lusaka on Thursday, said the situation in the country requires a “serious national dialogue”, while alleging that the country had been “set on a risky path of destruction” by the President Hakainde Hichilema and the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND.

While lamenting the precarious situation in the country, M’membe stated that Zambia had an “intensifying crisis of governance, rule of law, democracy and social cohesion”.

“There is a rise in tribalism and grand corruption which has left a dark spot on the unity, patriotism and democracy of our country. It is no longer a secret that Mr Hichilema has set this country on a risky path of destruction,” the SP leader alleged.

“The sharp rise in repression, ethnic bigotry, grand corruption, tribalism and many other vices has left a dark spot on the unity, patriotism and democracy of our country,” he said.

He also claimed that “political competitors, private citizens and other critical voices were degraded and brutalized through unseen repression and hardship without any tolerance and restraint.”

“There is an intensifying crisis of governance, rule of law, democracy and social cohesion in Zambia under President Hakainde Hichilema.

“The truth is, things are no longer the same anymore. This country is deeply divided. It is in unfathomable problems,” M’membe added.

“The manner in which government had been circumventing the law and abusing state institutions is a clear testimony of the illegitimate intentions of this administration.”

M’membe emphasized that the country was bedeviled with a lot of difficulties ranging from the economy, politics and social issues.

“The thoughtless manner in which this administration has been circumventing the law and abusing state institutions is a clear testimony of the illegitimate intentions of this administration.

“The government had incapacitated the rule of law and constitutional order in the country and is going about its daily business with impunity, without oversight or regard for cultural, political and economic consequences of their actions,” he further alleged.

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Metro

EU launches initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria

Published

12 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The European Union (EU) has launched an initiative to reintegrate over 417,661 out-of-school children in Nigeria, particularly in the northwestern parts of the country.

Mrs. Tobi Ransomed, who is the consortium lead, disclosed this during the launching of the “Accelerating Basic Education and Livelihood Opportunities for Children and Youth in North West Nigeria Program” (ABEP), held in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State, on Thursday.

While declaring the event open, Ransomed noted that the high rate of out-of-school children in the region required a holistic approach from all relevant stakeholders to ensure these children reached their potential.

Speaking further, she said the ABEP three-year pilot program would be implemented through Save the Children International, PLAN, and Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAG) across twelve local government areas in Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States.

“Data from Save the Children International (SCI), has shown that 10% of the world’s out-of-school children are in Nigeria, with over 10 million primary school-age children not in school. Approximately 25% of girls and 10% of boys in the country have been victims of sexual violence,” she stated.

“The program aims to increase access to safe, quality, and inclusive alternative and accelerated education programs for 324,000 young girls and boys, as well as 32,400 persons with disabilities, supporting their transition into formal or non-formal education.

“This project plans to increase access to livelihood opportunities, vocational education, and green job opportunities for 60,000 youths and 6,000 persons with disabilities, with 20,000 beneficiaries in each participating state.

“The overall objective is to contribute to the empowerment of the poorest, underserved, and most marginalized population groups, including women, girls, and youth, by providing access to quality, inclusive, gender-sensitive, and conflict-sensitive education in northwestern Nigeria with a special focus on Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto States,” she stated.

Metro

World Bank pledges $3b to support Zambia’s development goals

Published

1 day ago

November 14, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The World Bank Group has pledged to avail Zambia with approximately $3 billion to support the country’s development goals under the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for 2025-2029, with nearly half of the funds already disbursed.

World Bank Country Manager, Achim Fock, who made this known at the CPF launch at the Mulungushi Conference Centre in Lusaka on Wednesday, outlined the global lender’s focus areas, which included enhancing jobs, human capital, and climate resilience.

Fock highlighted that $200 million had been approved to strengthen Zambia’s social protection programs, including the Refugee and Host Community Project.

He also expressed optimism for upcoming approvals, including the Climate and Economic Resilience Financing and the Zambia-Tanzania Interconnector.

Zambia’s Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, who also spoke at the event, noted that 2.3 million Zambian households have so far benefited from social protection interventions such as the Cash for Work Programme, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives amid crises like the recent drought.

Musokotwane further reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives during times of crises such as the recent drought.

“More than two thirds of the Zambian population was affected by the drought. It was the government’s view that the first priority was to save lives,” Musokotwane stated.