Zambian declares state of emergency

Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Thursday declared a state of emergency in the country following a series of arson attacks, in a move likely to trigger fresh accusations of government authoritarianism, which he said threatened “to make the country ungovernable.”

My government has decided to invoke Article 31 (leading) to a state of public emergency, Lungu said in a nationally-televised address.

The move is set to rile tensions and deepen the cracks in the country’s democracy, which has traditionally been considered one of Africa's most stable democracy until recently.

President Edgar Lungu said he will seek the approval of the parliament to officially impose the law and order to prevent chaos and economic sabotage.

According to Reuters, several parts of Zambia have been targeted with fires recently, including the main market in the capital Lusaka, on Tuesday (July 4) which were described by Lungu as "premeditated acts which if left unchecked could have serious... consequences". 

Police also said that some people were planning to vandalize vital installations including bridges and power stations after the blaze. 

Lungu said in his speech that "there is no doubt in my mind that the intentions of the perpetrators of these irresponsible actions is to make the country ungovernable.

As president of this nation, it is my responsibility to respond accordingly to forestall this planned chaos and I will therefore not tolerate this lawlessness.

Zambia has enjoyed relative stability in recent years, but political tensions have been high this year after the arrest and continued detention of wealthy opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema. 

Hichilema narrowly lost elections in 2016 to Lungu, alleging that the result was rigged and refused to recognise Lungu as president, challenging the narrow election defeat in court.  

Hichilema was arrested in April this year on treason charges after his convoy allegedly refused to give way to the presidential motorcade.  

He has since been moved to a maximum security prison and it is unclear when he will return to court.
 
Amnesty International has said Hichilema and five others arrested from his United Party for National Development (UPND) are victims of a "cynical ploy to silence all political opposition in Zambia".