Politics

Zambia: Amid allegations of repression of dissent, President Hichilema pushes back

Published

12 months ago

November 11, 2023

The Zambian government has maintained that President Hakainde Hichilema is open to being accountable and transparent in the management of public affairs.

The Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, stressed that the president’s stand on democratic accountability was why Halichima repealed the law on defamation of the President when he assumed office.

On Friday, the Minister of Information and Media informed journalists in Lusaka that the Head of State had made sure the Access to Information Bill was brought before the legislature for consideration and potential enactment. The minister demanded that the president be commended for making sure that he kept his word when he was in opposition.

“It is important for us as governments. Through the President, we walk the talk. This is what Hichilema promised through campaigns way back in 2006 and 2011,” Mweetwa said. He also stated that the Public Order Act, which had been undergoing consultations, would shortly be presented to Parliament as well.

“I want to take this opportunity to indicate that the Public Order Act (POA) is within the processes that will see the same brought before the doors of Parliament,” he said.

Mweetwa went on to say that to cut down on discussion and guarantee that the bill was quickly signed into law, a few key provisions were being adjusted in discussions with interested parties.

The Zambian president has been accused of highhandedness and stifling dissenting political voices in the southern African country.

Related Topics:Featured President Hakainde Hichilema Zambia

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Politics

Kenya’s Supreme Court overturns 2023 finance law verdict. What this means

Published

2 days ago

October 30, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Following demonstrations that caused President William Ruto to rescind this year’s finance bill, the Supreme Court of Kenya has overturned an appeal court’s ruling declaring the 2023 financial law null and void.

The government primarily uses the finance bills to outline revenue-raising initiatives, and with the repeal of this year’s legislation, Ruto’s administration has been depending on the 2023 finance law to keep collecting taxes.

“We hereby set aside the Court of Appeal’s finding declaring the entire Finance Act 2023 unconstitutional,” the Supreme Court said in its ruling.

Following a spate of protests organised by the opposition last year, the 2023 law was challenged in court after Ruto’s government used it to hike the top personal income tax rate, implement a housing charge, and triple the value-added tax on fuel, among other measures.

After taking power in September 2022, Ruto’s administration attempted to enact a fresh round of tax increases this year, which infuriated many citizens and led to violent riots in June and July that claimed over 60 lives.

Shortly after the national legislature ratified this year’s version of the finance law, Ruto was obliged to withdraw it due to the disturbance, which also caused a delay in the approval of a fresh funding tranche from the International Monetary Fund.

Ruto has maintained that the tax hikes are required to pay off a significant amount of public debt and support development initiatives in Kenya, the largest economy in East Africa.

After Kenya met the goals established by the Fund in a review of its loan program, the executive board of the IMF is scheduled to convene on Wednesday to approve the new payout. The 2023 finance law was ruled unconstitutional by Kenya’s Court of Appeal in July, but the top court stayed the decision until it considered a government appeal.

Politics

President Masisi seeks 2nd- term as Diamond-rich Botswana set to vote

Published

4 days ago

October 28, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

On Wednesday, Botswana, a diamond-rich southern African state, will hold a general election in which President Mokgweetsi Masisi will face three opponents for a second term.

Although a divided opposition offers the advantage to Masisi’s Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which has governed the nation of 2.3 million people since its independence from Britain in 1966, commentators predict the poll might be competitive.

Botswana has seen stability and relative prosperity thanks to its small population, which receives free healthcare and education, and its income from diamonds. On the basis of gem value, it is the world’s leading producer.

However, the government has struggled to diversify its economy in recent years due to a decline in the diamond market, which has squeezed income. Critics claim the BDP has been in power for too long and accuse it of corruption and poor economic management, both of which it disputes.

“Our diamonds have not been selling since April so yes, our revenues are down but the economic fundamentals remain intact,” said Masisi at a presidential debate last week.
“We are going to continue with the projects and policies we have come up with that are aimed at putting more money and wealth into the hands of the citizens of this country,” he said.

Negotiating a new deal with diamond tycoon De Beers that will increase Botswana’s portion of its rough diamonds was one of his first term’s accomplishments.

In order to support farmers, he also reinstated a ban on the import of certain product goods and lifted the ban on elephant hunting, which he claims aids rural areas.

Duma Boko of the opposition coalition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) is his principal opponent.

Supported by former President Ian Khama, who left the BDP following a dispute with Masisi over the removal of the hunting prohibition and other matters, the other contenders are Mephato Reatile of the Botswana Patriotic Front and Dumelang Saleshando of the Botswana Congress Party.

Masisi’s economic record has come under fire from critics, who point to the country’s rising unemployment rate of about 28%.

“It is not acceptable that a country such as ours which is the fifth richest per capita in Africa still has so many people living in poverty,” said Boko at the debate.

Among sub-Saharan African nations, Botswana actually has the fourth-highest GDP per capita, according to World Bank data.

In order to raise social subsidies and more than double the minimum wage, Boko has promised to cut back on unnecessary spending.

Although the BDP’s popularity has been waning, it still holds a sizable majority in parliament after winning 38 of the 57 seats up for grabs in 2019. UDC took home 15 seats. In Botswana, the president is chosen by legislators, who are chosen by voters.