2011.09.23
Michael Sata, leader of the opposition Patriotic Front (FP), has been declared winner of presidential elections in the country held two days ago. The President of the Supreme Court gave the announcement, after a night of tension and isolated cases of violence, for which the ‘King Cobra’, as the national press dubbed him, has collected 43% of the vote compared to 36% of Outgoing President Rupiah Banda.
Immediately after the announcement, dozens of supporters of the populist leader – whom analysts praise for having been able to exploit the creeping discontent among the population over lack of development in the country, despite strong growth supported mainly by the mining sector – took to the streets of Lusaka and other cities to celebrate.
Yesterday, the delay in announcing the results ended up angering backers of both parties, who then became involved in brawls and riots resulting in two people being killed in the towns of Kitwe and Ndola in the north, the heart of the ‘copper belt’ which fuels the national economy.
In order to reduce the risk of tensions and clashes, the Lusaka High Court has decided to ban newspapers from publishing unofficial data and polls while the police have stepped up their control over areas considered most ‘at risk’ such as the slums of Lusaka and those of Solwezi, the capital of the rich mining Copperbelt province (northwest).
The oath and inauguration of new president is expected around noon today.
© 2011 MISNA - Missionary International Service News Agency Srl
Michael Sata, leader of the opposition Patriotic Front (FP), has been declared winner of presidential elections in the country held two days ago. The President of the Supreme Court gave the announcement, after a night of tension and isolated cases of violence, for which the ‘King Cobra’, as the national press dubbed him, has collected 43% of the vote compared to 36% of Outgoing President Rupiah Banda.
Immediately after the announcement, dozens of supporters of the populist leader – whom analysts praise for having been able to exploit the creeping discontent among the population over lack of development in the country, despite strong growth supported mainly by the mining sector – took to the streets of Lusaka and other cities to celebrate.
Yesterday, the delay in announcing the results ended up angering backers of both parties, who then became involved in brawls and riots resulting in two people being killed in the towns of Kitwe and Ndola in the north, the heart of the ‘copper belt’ which fuels the national economy.
In order to reduce the risk of tensions and clashes, the Lusaka High Court has decided to ban newspapers from publishing unofficial data and polls while the police have stepped up their control over areas considered most ‘at risk’ such as the slums of Lusaka and those of Solwezi, the capital of the rich mining Copperbelt province (northwest).
The oath and inauguration of new president is expected around noon today.
© 2011 MISNA - Missionary International Service News Agency Srl
