Forgotten World (147): Zambia
Zambia is landlocked and sparsely populated by more than 70 ethnic groups, many of them Bantu-speaking, with a total population of 12 million. When it gained its independence from Britain in 1964, the country switched from colonial government into an era of one-party rule lasting 27 years. A multi-party system emerged in the early 1990s. The late president Levy Mwanawasa, who served from 2001-2008, won respect for his anti-corruption drive and sound economic management. The International Monetary Fund, World Bank and Western donors have rewarded this by cutting Zambia’s foreign debt.
In the late 1960s, Zambia was the third largest copper miner, after the USA and the Soviet Union. World copper prices collapsed in 1975 with devastating effects on the economy. However, more recently, improved copper prices and investment in mining have improved prospects for export earnings. The World Bank has urged Zambia to develop other sources of revenue including tourism and agriculture. The country has some spectacular scenery, including the Victoria Falls which it shares with neighbouring Zimbabwe.
October 26th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Despite his good image mwanawasa is according to good sources guilty of election rigging. Yet another reason why civilization needs fraud proof voting systems. Find these at cd3wd.Com/seev. Mr alex weir. Harare