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

Published

3 weeks 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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ZESCO says Zambians can enjoy improved power supply but offers condition

Published

9 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Isaac Dachen

State-owned Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) has assured Zambians of improved power supply spanning seven-hour daily, depending on the approval of its emergency tariff adjustment by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB).

ZESCO, which is Zambia’s largest power company producing about 80% of the electricity consumed in the country, made the commitment during a public hearing held at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on Monday.

In his address, Victor Mapani, ZESCO’s Managing Director, stated that the proposed tariff increase would allow the company to raise $15 million monthly to import 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

“ZESCO’s ultimate goal is to add 788 MW of power to the 400 MW it currently imports from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe,” Mapani said.

Also speaking at the forum, Mark O’Donnell, representing the Business Coalition Task Office, noted that ZESCO’s tariffs were more affordable than diesel generators, which many households and businesses had resorted to due to Zambia’s energy challenges.

He emphasized the coalition’s support for the tariff hike but urged ZESCO to ensure efficient use of resources.

Ashu Sagar, President of the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM), raised concerns about ZESCO’s inconsistent load-shedding schedule, which he said had disrupted production planning and increased costs in the manufacturing sector.

On his part, ERB Board Chairperson, James Banda, announced that the board would make an independent decision on ZESCO tariff adjustment request on Thursday, devoid of political influence.

Metro

All the choices we have made are for sustainable, inclusive growth— Tinubu

Published

15 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that all the choices his administration has made since assuming office 17 months ago have been made to stop the country’s decline and put it on a path to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Tinubu, who made the assertion at the 54th Annual Accountants Conference in Abuja on Tuesday, said it was encouraging that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product growth for the first and second quarters of 2024 was positive, giving credence to his reforms and policies.

The president, who was represented by Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, noted that it was gladdening that inflation was on a downward trend, and the foreign exchange market was stabilising, with encouraging investment signals.

“We are continuing with innovative reform measures: digitisation of revenue collection and government services, consumer credit system to boost manufacturing and enable access to goods and services,” Tinubu said in his address to the audience.

“Our reforms include removing punitive subsidies to the economy. Revenue bleeding has reduced, and the three tiers of government are receiving higher allocations, which enable more support to vulnerable populations.

“Social investment spending is increasing, the minimum wage has increased, student loans are available, and interventions to support NANO, MSME, farming, fishing, and the livestock sector have increased.

“Our collective vision for Nigeria’s future is anchored on strengthening our institutions and nurturing a pervasive culture of accountability,” he said.

He added that his government was committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to boost transparency and efficiency and cultivate strategic partnerships to pave the way for sustainable development.