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Zambians brace for decisive polls in August
By John Eche
Voters in Zambia are already braced to participate in very decisive presidential and parliamentary polls that are scheduled to take place in August, The Difference can report.
Headlining the process is the repeat presidential contest that pitches incumbent President, Edgar Lungu, against opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, aka HH.
The polls would be taking place against the backdrop of the nation’s humongous debt problem that has placed the Southern African state as Africa’s biggest defaulting economy during the coronavirus pandemic, with its current exposure put at $12 billion.
The country missed two critical deadlines to pay $42.5 million in interest due on a $750 million bond that matures next year, and another bond servicing obligation. Both were in the last two quarters.
Given its challenges, the copper-producing country has already entered into negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on a plan that would help it address the debt challenge.
Hichelema is of the United Party for National Development (UPND) while incumbent President Edgar Lungu is of the Patriotic Front Party.
President Edgar Lungu of Zambia
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