Anthony Kunda
Zambian opposition parties knew hours after this week’s failed coup that President Frederick Chiluba would use it as an excuse to declare a State of Emergency.
They also feared their leaders would be arrested when Chiluba said on Tuesday this week: “We will announce measures to ensure that our security forces go about their work without much hindrance. The law will take its course.”
Some of their fears were borne out on Wednesday when Chiluba declared a seven-day State of Emergency. The Zambian Cabinet gave security forces sweeping arrest and search powers. The decision will be reviewed in Parliament next week.
One rebel soldier died when Zambian troops flushed them out of the state radio station on Tuesday and 22 have been arrested.
The attempted coup was condemned by former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda, but he added: “We don’t recognise [Chiluba’s] government.”
His son, Wezi Kaunda, said he expected Chiluba’s government to declare a State of Emergency and arrest opposition leaders as scapegoats. “We know from information available to us that I am on the list of the people to be arrested, and Dr Kaunda as well.”
However, Kaunda had imposed a State of Emergency throughout his 27-year rule, and one of Chiluba’s first decisions as president was to remove the government’s sweeping powers to search and detain without trial
Opposition parties have stressed the need for dialogue following the failed coup, saying there was discontent in Zambia that needed to be addressed.
Chiluba emerged from the coup attempt stronger and more confident than after last year’s election, with the political, religious, civic, business and human-rights fraternities condemning the attempt to unseat him.
Although he profusely thanked the army, police and air force for crushing the short- lived coup, Chiluba – who is unabashedly a born-again Christian – said the country was rescued from the manacles of military rule by Jesus Christ himself.
“The Lord is keeping His hand over our nation,” he declared with pentecostal fervour. “The Lord Jesus is in full control; be not afraid. There shall be no power greater than that of our Lord Jesus for He who is inside us is greater than those against us.”
Opposition political parties have also condemned the failed coup. Zambia Democratic Congress vice-president Andrew Banda said a coup “would not have been the best way of resolving our political differences”.
Other opposition leaders, while condemning the attempt, said it was a lesson to Chiluba’s government to be more accommodating of dissenting views.
Dr Ludwig Sondashi, an opposition MP for the National Party, said: “This calls for all political players to be level-headed so that we can have dialogue for all. No one wants coups. Unless this is done, it is unlikely that in this country things like this will stop.”
Aka Lewanika, president of Agenda for Zambia, said: “These things will continue until there is a new Constitution agreed by all the stakeholders.”