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Zambia: High rates of maternal deaths spark concerns

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , , 0 comment

– – Mid wives around the world, celebrated their day, this month on 5th May, under the theme ‘100 Years of Progress’. For Zambian midwives and the health ministry, however, the International Day of the Midwife celebrations may have been bittersweet, thanks to the many cases of maternal health failings experienced in the country. The Ministry of Health, in Zambia, is concerned that the rate of infant mortality in the country, continues to be high. Health Minister, Sylvia Masebo, disclosed, recently, that Zambia was losing over 700 mothers every year…

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Zambia: Anger as embassies fly gay pride flags

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , , , 0 comment

– – The Swedish and Finnish embassies in Zambia have incurred the wrath of some Zambains after raising the rainbow flag on the premises. The flag which were hoisted together with the country’s national flags was a symbol of support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and queer pride and LGBT social movements. Same-sex relationships are outlawed in Zambia, where British colonial-era laws on homosexuality still apply. The Swedish embassy in Zambia tweeted the rainbow flag using the hashtag #Idahot2022, which stands for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism…

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Zambians demand full disclosure of IMF deal conditions

Elwin Mandowa, , , , ,

– – Some Zambians are demanding that government discloses the conditions attached to a 1.4 billion United States Dollars’ IMF economic recovery deal, signed in December, last year, under the extended credit facility for 2022 to 2025. This follows a refusal to do so, by IMF Mission of chief to Zambia, Allison Holland, who said it was not her organisation’s policy to disclose such, ahead of a board discussion, in a letter, responding to a former Minister in the previous government, Bowman Lusambo’s written demand for full disclosure of the…

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Africa eulogises Zambia’s late ex-President Rupiah Banda

Elwin Mandowa, , , , ,

– – Zambians are sombre, as they prepare to put to rest, their former (fourth) republican President, Rupiah Bwezani Banda, fondly called ‘RB’, who died of Colon Cancer, on March 11, 2022, at the age of 85. He was diagnosed as having the disease in 2020 and had been receiving treatment. The burial has been set for Friday, 18th March, at the Presidential burial site, ‘Embassy Park’, in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. Current President, Hakainde Hichilema, has since declared the day, a national public holiday. The country has been observing a…

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Zambia’s decision to allow mining in key national park raises concerns

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , ,

– – Emotions are running high among Zambians, over a decision by the new government, to allow an Australian – listed company, to start large-scale Copper mining in one of the country’s key national parks, the Lower Zambezi. Situated on the banks of the Zambezi River, opposite Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, the Lower Zambezi National Park, is admired the world over, as one of the most pristine, undisturbed, virgin and paradise-like places on earth. It is one of Zambia’s premier wildlife destinations, with approximately 50 mammal species and 400…

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Zambians unhappy with removal of fuel, electricity subsidies

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , ,

– – Zambians are concerned about the government’s decision to remove fuel and electricity subsidies, saying the price increments on commodities that would result from this move, would make life unbearable for many citizens. The Zambian government announced, recently, the removal of the said subsidies, effective January, 2022. Concerned citizens say if prices go up, due to the high cost of doing business, families would cut down certain necessities and food, and consequently lose some nutrients. The residents say this move, which is linked to IMF conditions, following the reaching…

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Calls to lift ex-Zambian president’s immunity spark debates

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , ,

– – Zambia’s investigative wings have started arresting political leaders in the former ruling Patriotic Front (PF) party, who are believed to have committed crimes, such as misappropriation of funds, attempted murder and others. Among those arrested in November are former Defence Minister, Davis Chama, for attempted murder of a member of the now ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), during a bye-election in 2015. Other include former ministers, Ronald Chitotela and Nickson Chilangwa, who are connected with the violence-related incident recorded on voting day on August 12 this…

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Zambian activists lament surge in Alcohol and Substance Abuse

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , , , , ,

– – Mental health activists in Zambia, have lamented the extent to which young people’s mental health is affected by alcohol and substance abuse. According to research, mental health disorders are a leading cause of health disability in 10-to-24-year-olds in Zambia and a recent report released in Lusaka, reveals that the country has experienced increased numbers of children committing suicide, because of the same. These activists have now launched a Campaign on Mental Health for Children to fight the menace. According to the activists, Alcohol and other substance abuse have…

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Zambia probes allies of former President Edgar Lungu

Elwin Mandowa, , , , ,

– – Zambia’s former ruling Patriotic Front (PF), party’s Secretary General, Davies Mwila and Lusaka businessman, Valden Findlay, are among the first few allies of former President, Edgar Lungu, that have been summoned for questioning by some of the country’s investigative wings, following the new ruling United Party for National Development (UPND)’s landslide victory, in Zambia’s recently held general election. The Anti-Corruption commission and Drug Enforcement Commission, seem to be keeping a close eye on such PF members, lately, for what commentators suspect to be corruption or money laundering. This…

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Zambia’s president Hichilema sacks police and army chiefs

Elwin Mandowa, , , , , ,

– – The president of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema has sacked the country’s army and police chiefs. He has made new appointments to the top roles as part of efforts to reform the security forces. There are now new commanders for the Zambian army, the air force and the national service and their deputies, as well as a new inspector general of police. The latest replacements of top commanders of the security agencies took place late on Sunday. Local media reported that all regional police commissioners have also been replaced as…

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