Warnings Sound On Military Deployment

The decision by President Lungu to deploy the military in Lusaka ahead of elections has sparked concern both domestically and internationally. 

Professor of Democracy Nic Cheeseman for example has noted that governments in Uganda and Tanzania recently used heavy deployment of security forces to shutdown opposition protests against flawed elections. He also notes that in Kenya in 2013 “the strategic deployment of security forces to “hot spots” can be used to intimidate opposition supporters,” asking “could this be an attempt to depress the opposition vote?” 

While President Lungu has justified the move based on recent events in Kanyama, when it is alleged that two members of the PF were murdered, something the UPND has disputed, Professor Cheeseman notes that according to monitors’ reports the majority of election violence has been instigated by the cadres of the ruling party. He goes on to state that “Monitors’ reports show that opposition cadres are more likely to be arrested, though they cause less violence.” 

The Professor of Democracy advised that observers and media should be second guessing the President’s statement on the deployment. 

Local civil society representatives have also taken issue with the move. 

“President Lungu has overseen the most anarchic presidency in Zambia's history, in which freedom to be stunningly lawless has been given to ruling party cadres. Now, the same President Lungu uses the lame excuse of the cadre thugs fighting and killing each other to put the army on the streets,” writes Alliance for Community Action Executive Director Laura Miti. 

“No, President Lungu, we are not children. We have seen you ignore stunning cadre violence. What has changed? We have also watched as you purchased heavy weapons for the police and army for years. So they were for elections? For creating a war atmosphere as citizens cast their votes?,” she continues. 

“Are you really going to turn our peaceful Zambia into Uganda, just to hold on to power?” Miti asks.

Meanwhile, UPND Deputy Youth chair Trevor Mwiinde has called for the police to conduct a fair investigation into the fatalities in Kanyama. According to Mr Mwiinde, who expressed his sincere condolences to the families, one of the men in question was a UPND member. Mr Mwiinde called on political parties to stop using youths to advance violence and settle scores.