OWN CORRESPONDENTS, Lusaka | Monday
ZAMBIAN President Frederick Chiluba has edged closer to a controversial third five-year term in office after he received backing from a major policy organ of the ruling MMD party to extend his rule.
The national executive committee of Chiluba’s ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) said it would put the question of whether Chiluba would run for a third term to an extraordinary party convention on April 28.
“We will require a two thirds majority of the MMD Congress vote to change the party’s laws before taking a bill to parliament for possible change to the constitution,” said MMD National Secretary Michael Sata.
With the party constitution amended to allow a third term, a bill to amend the national constitution is expected to breeze through parliament, where the MMD has 137 seats out of 150.
Some party officials, who declined to be named, said the fact that Chiluba chaired Saturday’s meeting had compromised the outcome because many top party officials were intimidated by his presence.
Chiluba, who ousted veteran nationalist Kenneth Kaunda in 1991 elections, has sacked two ministers and two deputy ministers who have publicly opposed his bid to stay in office.
Zambia’s constitution obliges the president to stand down after the end of his second and final five-year term as head of party and state.
Chiluba’s aides say he is following in the footsteps of Namibian President Sam Nujoma, who changed the constitution in 1999 to extend his rule beyond the statutory two terms.
Chiluba’s closest friend in the region, Malawian President Bakili Muluzi, has also began moves to remain in office beyond the legally acceptable 10 years when his term ends in 2004.
Leading regional politicians, including South African President Thabo Mbeki and Tanzanian leader Ben Mkapa, have expressed their disappointment with African leaders who rule beyond their constitutional terms. – AFP/Reuters
ZA*NOW:
Will Chiluba stay or will he go? February 7, 2001
One more time for Chiluba? January 18, 2001