{Zambian Defense Minister Edgar Lungu rejected his dismissal as secretary-general of the ruling party by acting President Guy Scott, amid reports of rioting in the copper-producing nation’s capital.}
Scott, who took over as head of state and of the ruling Patriotic Front after the death of Michael Satalast week, removed Lungu from his party role yesterday, the state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corp. reported, without giving reasons for the decision.
Riots broke out in “many parts” of Lusaka last night after the dismissal was announced, the Daily Nation newspaper reported, without citing anyone.
“This action is illegal and has no foundation or support of the Patriotic Front party constitution,” Lungu said in an statement handed to Bloomberg News today. “Scott has insulted our culture and the people of Zambia by constantly engaging himself in matters that undermine the dignity, honor and respect of the funeral of President Michael Sata.”
Scott and Lungu are from opposing camps within the Patriotic Front. Sata had named Lungu to stand in for him during his absence in London for medical treatment. A day after the leader’s death on Oct. 28, the cabinet named Vice President Scott as acting president, in line with the constitution.
Lungu was a leading contender to become the party’s candidate in presidential elections that are due by the end of January, according to Robert Besseling, a Johannesburg-based analyst with IHS Country Risk. Mulenga Sata, the late president’s son, has said he may run for the presidency, according to the state-owned Times of Zambia.
‘Direct Dishonor’
Opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema appealed for calm in an e-mailed statement, saying any unrest would be a “direct dishonor to the late president.” The State Department urged U.S. citizens to avoid areas of demonstrations in the city and “strongly” recommended that Americans traveling or residing in the country enroll in its Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
The kwacha fell as much as 1.1 percent against the dollar and traded 0.7 percent weaker at 6.37 by 9:37 a.m. in the city.
Nickson Chilangwa has been appointed to replace Lungu as secretary-general, the Lusaka-based Post newspaper reported, citing Chilangwa.
Zambia is Africa’s biggest copper producer after neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Source: Blomberg
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