Protest, advocacy, bickering: What more for Zambians’ quest for greater speech rights?

Published

2 months ago

September 15, 2024

Now at 60, Zambia has made significant strides toward achieving a free society where citizens can picket and express their opinions without fear of reprisal.

Despite numerous milestones, such as the repeal of the defamation of the President and the enactment of the Access to Information Act, significant challenges to freedom of expression persist.

Recent developments reflect Zambia’s ongoing struggle.

The Access to Information Act promises to enhance public access to information, promote transparency, and foster greater participation in governance.

However, issues remain, including the continued use of restrictive laws and practices that threaten freedom of speech.

Amnesty International Zambia’s recent snapshot highlights notable progress, such as efforts to amend the Public Order Act (POA).

The Zambia Law Development Commission (ZLDC) has reviewed the POA and proposed the Public Gathering Bill to replace it.

This bill aimed to address the long-standing misuse of the POA to curtailed freedom of expression, assembly, and association, particularly affecting civil society and opposition parties.

In an insightful scholarly article, Katherine (Hyun-Joo) Mooney, a PhD candidate at Ohio State University, underscores the need for Zambia to make more meaningful concessions regarding free speech.

Mooney noted that President Hakainde Hichilema’s 2022 repeal of the death penalty and the law against publicly defaming the president marked significant progress.

Under Section 69 of the Penal Code, which had been in place since 1965, Zambians could be imprisoned for up to three years for ridiculing the president.

Mooney acknowledged this as a step forward but highlights that media control remains a challenge.

She traced the roots of media control back to Kenneth Kaunda’s regime, which used the media to support his one-party state and Humanist policies.

Kaunda’s administration controlled newspapers and broadcasting services by staffing them with individuals who would publish favorable content.

This approach ensured that government perspectives were predominant, even in the face of criticism.

Despite the return to multi-party politics in 1991, the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) failed to liberate the media as promised, continuing to exert executive power over the press.

This persistent control eroded public trust in the media and state institutions, leading to further resistance and repression.

Mooney emphasizes that Zambia’s current administration must address these issues, especially in the digital age.

The 2021 protests against the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act illustrate ongoing concerns about restrictive measures that could undermine freedom of expression.

“The Hichilema administration needs to take heed; otherwise, Zambians will continue to fight tooth and nail for their freedom of expression,” Mooney warned.

She called for the end of the cycle of restrictive laws and violent suppression, a struggle that has persisted since the Kaunda era.

As Zambia continued to navigate these complex issues, the quest for greater speech rights remains a pivotal challenge.

The nation’s progress would depend on its ability to reconcile past practices with the demands of a more open and democratic society.

This story is sponsored by Project Aliyense.

Related Topics:Advocacy Featured Project Aliyense Zambia

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Chinese mining giant CNMC set for $1.6 billion investment in Zambia

Published

9 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Chinese mining giant, China Nonferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC), has announced the investment of over $1.6 billion in Zambia, following successful discussions with President Hakainde Hichilema at the State House on Tuesday.

CNMC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wen Gang, who held the discussions with Hichilema along with the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, Han Jing, confirmed the company’s commitment to furthering Zambia’s economic development.

“We are actively investing in critical sectors of Zambia’s economy,” Gang said after the meeting.

He noted that CNMC was currently pumping water from Shaft 28 at Luanshya Copper Mine, where 29.9 million cubic liters have been cleared as part of intensified dewatering efforts, adding that the company plans to inject an additional $200 million to develop a greenfield mine on the Copperbelt.

President Hichilema who welcomed CNMC’s commitment, highlighted the potential economic impact of the firm’s investment which will include job opportunities for Zambians.

“This $1.6billion investment, alongside advanced technology and expansion, will extend operations and create more jobs and opportunities for Zambians, especially in mining contracting and supply,” the President said.

He also expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government for their shared commitment to fostering growth and cooperation between the two countries.

Metro

Mpox immunisation scarcity slows Kinshasa’s epidemic fight

Published

15 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

A lack of mpox vaccine doses has prevented the Democratic Republic of the Congo from starting a campaign in the capital, Kinshasa, the response commander has confirmed. However, the number of cases nationwide is still rising, particularly among youngsters.

In mid-August, a new strain of pox started to spread from the Congo to neighbouring countries, prompting the WHO to declare a global health emergency. However, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, donors have been hesitant to turn their pledges into cash and vaccines.

The head of operations for Congo’s mpox control program, Cris Kacita, stated on Tuesday that the country needed more than 162,000 doses of vaccine to start a vaccination campaign in the capital, but that 53,921 doses were still available for use in prisons, where inmates are at greater risk because of unsanitary conditions.

The capital, which is home to about 20 million people, has so far been less impacted than other parts of the nation. In six other provinces, vaccination campaigns are now underway.

Along with additional shipments from Germany and the African Union, France has committed to providing 100,000 doses.

He added the arrival of vaccines was also delayed by the administrative process, which includes sending an official request, manufacturing, creating documentation and gaining import authorisations.

“As long as we don’t have the necessary quantity, it’s going to be complicated to launch (vaccination) in the 14 health zones,” Kacita told Reuters, referring to areas of Kinshasa.

According to a health ministry study, from October 28 to November 2, 1,017 new suspected cases were registered nationwide in Congo, including 45 confirmed cases and 16 fatalities.

Since children are almost four times more likely than adults to die from the new strain of mpox, the charity Save the Children warned on Wednesday that targeted vaccines were necessary to halt the virus from spreading quickly among children.

“Children are especially vulnerable to mpox – they explore by touch and taste, don’t always understand health guidance, and have weaker immune systems than adults,” Katia Vieira de Moraes LaCasse from Save the Children said.

According to Africa CDC data, there have been over 42,000 suspected cases of Mpox in the continent, with 1,100 deaths reported so far this year.

The Mpox virus can spread from person to person via intimate contact and also from place to person through objects and surfaces that a person infected with Mpox has touched.