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Zambia: PF crisis deepens as factional leader expels ex-President Lungu, Sampa, others

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The internal crisis rocking Zambia’s main opposition party, the Patriotic Front (PF), reached a crescendo on Sunday when another factional leader, Robert Chabinga, announced the expulsion of former President, Edgar Lungu, and other prominent members, including another factional president, Miles Sampa, and Given Lubinda.

Chabinga, who is the MP representing Mafinga Province and who was reportedly elected as acting president of the PF following the alleged expulsion of Sampa from the party in July, also announced the expulsion of former Deputy Secretary General, Mumbi Phiri, former Munali MP, Professor Nkandu Luo, and faction Chairperson for Information and Publicity, Emmanuel Mwamba, as well as the removal of party Secretary-General, Raphael Nakacinda, and several MPs, including Mwansabombwe MP, Kabaso Kapampi, citing gross indiscipline.

Chabinga who made the announcement during a media briefing held at Lusaka’s Radisson Blu Hotel, accused Lungu of attempting a deceptive political comeback, stating that his true intentions had been exposed.

He also issued a warning against individuals allegedly impersonating the party leadership and engaging in unauthorized partnerships representing the PF.

He further stressed that the PF’s legitimate leadership does not recognize Lungu’s claims to the presidency, as his name does not appear in the Registrar of Societies and condemned Lungu’s actions as indicative of his political irrelevance.

He directed the PF Secretary-General, Morgan Ng’ona, to inform the Inspector General of Police, the Registrar of Societies, and the National Assembly of the leadership changes, while revealing plans for a constitutional amendment convention, aimed at selecting a candidate for the 2026 elections and restructuring the party’s leadership.

Furthermore, Chipangali MP, Andrew Lubusha, was appointed as the new party Vice President for Politics and Administration, replacing John Kufuna.

Chabinga also declared PF’s membership in the Tonse Alliance null and void, citing it as a factor in the decision to expel Lungu and others.

Sampa had earlier sought a court injunction to stop Chabinga from holding the press briefing and from claiming leadership of the PF but the factional leader and his legal team proceeded with the briefing, clarifying that they had not been served with the injunction.

Chabinga was announced as acting factional leader of the PF in July following the expulsion of Sampa and other members in a dispute over Lungu’s involvement in the party.

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

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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.

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Mpox immunisation scarcity slows Kinshasa’s epidemic fight

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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.

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