PF Has Turned Zambia Into A Failed State

UPND National Chairperson Mutale Nalumango has accused the PF government of transforming Zambia into a failed state.

Writing in the Lusaka Times this morning, Ms Nalumango said it was “worrisome” that the country had been turned into a “laughing stock” under the current administration as Zambia’s economy continues to collapse. 

She continued that Zambia meets every requirement to qualify as a failed state, including a failure to conduct fair elections, sharp economic decline, a breakdown in the rule of law, and the rise of factionalised elites. 

“Zambia now has a regime that does not have respect for human rights and freedoms of association, asssmbly, speech, press, expression and movement, which in turn has undermined democracy,” she added. 

This year Zambia ranked as the 41st most fragile state in the world, according to the Fragile State Index, a fall from 49th most fragile when the PF took charge in 2016. 

The country continues to be beleaguered by towering levels of external debts and looks likely to default on its $3bn worth of Eurobonds.

Meanwhile the integrity of next year’s general elections continues to be questioned as the Electoral Commission of Zambia comes under increasing fire for the issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs) and its promise to register 9 million voters in just one month starting next week.