National Trade Data Bank ITEM ID : ST BNOTES ZAMBIA DATE : Oct 28, 1994 AGENCY : U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE PROGRAM : BACKGROUND NOTES TITLE : Background Notes - ZAMBIA Source key : ST Program key : ST BNOTES Update sched. : Occasionally Data type : TEXT End year : 1992 Date of record : 19941018 Keywords 3 : Keywords 3 : | ZAMBIA BACKGROUND NOTES: ZAMBIA PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS US DEPARTMENT OF STATE SEPTEMBER 1992 Official Name: Republic of Zambia PROFILE Geography Area: 752,614 sq. km. (290,585 sq. mi.); slightly larger than Texas. Cities: Capital--Lusaka (pop. 982,000). Other cities--Kitwe (348,000), Ndola (376,000), Livingstone (84,000), Kabwe (167,000). Terrain: Varies; mostly plateau savanna. Climate: Generally dry and temperate. People Nationality: Noun and adjective--Zambian(s). Population (1991): 8 million. Annual growth rate: 3%. Ethnic groups: More than 70 tribal groups. Religions: Christian, indigenous beliefs. Languages: English (official), about 70 local languages and dialects, including Bemba, Tonga, Nyanja, Lozi, Luvale, Ndembu (Lundu), and Kaonde. Education: Years compulsory--7. Attendance--less than 50% in grades 1-7. Less than 20% of primary school graduates are admitted to secondary school. Literacy--54%. Health: Infant mortality rate--87/1,000. Life expectancy--51 yrs. Work force: Agriculture--60%. Industry and commerce--40%. Government Type: Republic. Independence: October 24, 1964. Constitution: 1991. Branches: Executive--president (chief of state), cabinet. Legislative--unicameral National Assembly. Judicial--Supreme Court, high court, magisterial court, and local courts. Ruling political party: Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD). Suffrage: Universal adult. Subdivisions: Nine provinces subdivided into districts. Flag: Green field with small vertical stripes (red, black, orange) in lower right corner and orange eagle above stripes. Economy GDP (1991): $4.2 billion. Annual growth rate: 1%. Per capita GDP: $380. Natural resources: Copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydroelectric power, fertile land. Agriculture: Products--corn, tobacco, cotton, soybeans, groundnuts, sugar cane, livestock, and horticultural products. Industry: Types--mining, transport, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizers. Trade (1990): Exports--$1.3 billion: copper, cobalt, lead, and zinc. Major markets--Japan, Italy, France, China. Imports--$1.1 billion: crude oil, manufactured goods, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs. Major suppliers--South Africa, UK, Japan, US, Germany. Official exchange rate (June 1992): 140 kwacha=US$1. Bilateral economic aid: Major donors--US, UK, Netherlands, EC, Japan, Germany, Nordic countries. In early 1992, Zambia's economic reform program qualified for new assistance from the World Bank and is being monitored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Other donors include 17 UN organizations and at least 25 multilateral and non-governmental organizations. n PEOPLE Zambia's population comprises more than 70 Bantu-speaking tribes. Some tribes are small, and only two have enough people to constitute at least 10% of the population. Most Zambians are subsistence farmers. The predominant religion is a blend of traditional beliefs and Christianity. Expatriates, mostly British (15,000 in 1986) or South African, live mainly in Lusaka and in the copperbelt in northern Zambia, where they are employed in mines and related activities. Zambia also has a small but economically important Asian population, most of whom are Indians. The country is 42% urban. HISTORY The indigenous hunter-gatherer occupants of Zambia began to be displaced or absorbed by more advanced migrating tribes about 2,000 years ago. The major waves of Bantu-speaking immigrants began in the 15th century, with the greatest influx between the late 17th and early 19th centuries. They came primarily from the Luba and Lunda tribes of southern Zaire and northern Angola but were joined in the 19th century by Ngoni peoples from the south. By the latter part of that century, the various peoples of Zambia were largely established in the areas they currently occupy. Except for an occasional Portuguese explorer, the area lay untouched by Europeans for centuries. After the mid-19th century, it was penetrated by Western explorers, missionaries, and traders. David Livingstone first saw Victoria Falls in 1855. In 1888, Cecil Rhodes, spearheading British commercial and political interests in central Africa, obtained a mineral rights concession from local chiefs. In the same year, Northern and Southern Rhodesia (now Zambia and Zimbabwe respectively) were proclaimed a British sphere of influence. Southern Rhodesia was annexed formally and granted self-government in 1923, and the administration of Northern Rhodesia was transferred to the British Colonial Office in 1924 as a protectorate. In 1953, both Rhodesias were joined with Nyasaland (now Malawi) to form the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Northern Rhodesia was the center of much of the turmoil and crisis that characterized the federation in its last years. At the core of the controversy were insistent African demands for greater participation in government and European fears of losing political control. A two-stage election held in October and December 1962 resulted in an African majority in the Legislative Council and an uneasy coalition between the two African nationalist parties. The council passed resolutions calling for Northern Rhodesia's secession from the federation and demanding full internal self-government under a new constitution and a new national assembly based on a broader, more democratic franchise. On December 31, 1963, the federation was dissolved, and Northern Rhodesia became the Republic of Zambia on October 24, 1964. At independence, despite its considerable mineral wealth, Zambia faced major challenges. Domestically, there were few trained and educated Zambians capable of running the government, and the economy was largely dependent on foreign expertise. Abroad, three of its neighbors--Southern Rhodesia and the Portuguese colonies of Mozambique and Angola--remained under white-dominated rule. Rhodesia's white-ruled government unilaterally declared independence in 1965. In addition, Zambia shared a border with South African-controlled South-West Africa (now Namibia). Zambia's sympathies lay with forces opposing colonial or white-dominated rule, particularly in Southern Rhodesia. During the next decade, it actively supported movements such as the Union for the Total Liberation of Angola (UNITA), the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU), the African National Congress of South Africa (ANC), and the South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO). Conflicts with Rhodesia resulted in the closing of Zambia's borders with that country and severe problems with international transport and power sup-ply. However, the Kariba hydroelectric station on the Zambezi River provided sufficient capacity to satisfy the country's requirements for electricity. A railroad to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam, built with Chinese assistance, reduced Zambian dependence on railroad lines south to South Africa and west through an increasingly troubled Angola. By the late 1970s, Mozambique and Angola had attained independence from Portugal, while Zimbabwe had achieved independence in accordance with the 1979 Lancaster House agreement. Zambia's problems did not abate, however. Civil war in the former Portuguese colonies generated refugees and caused continuing transportation problems. The Benguela Railroad, which extended west through Angola, was essentially closed to traffic from Zambia by the late 1970s. Zambia's strong support for the ANC, which had its external headquarters in Lusaka, created security problems as South Africa raided ANC targets in Zambia. In the mid-1970s, the price of copper--Zambia's principal export--suffered a severe decline worldwide. Zambia turned to foreign and international lenders for relief; but as copper prices remained depressed, it became increasingly difficult to service its growing debt. By the late 1980s, Zambia had the highest percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) consumed by foreign debts in Africa. GOVERNMENT Zambia was the first British territory to become a republic immediately upon attaining independence. The constitution promulgated on August 25, 1973, abrogated the original 1964 constitution. The new constitution and the national elections that followed in December 1973 were the final steps in achieving what was called a "one-party participatory democracy." The 1973 constitution provided for a strong president and a unicameral national assembly. National policy was formulated by the Central Committee of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the sole legal party in Zambia. The cabinet executed the central committee's policy. In accordance with the intention to formalize UNIP supremacy in the new system, the constitution stipulated that the sole candidate in elections for the office of president was the person selected to be the president of UNIP by the party's general conference. The second-ranking person in the Zambian hierarchy was UNIP's secretary general. In December 1990, at the end of a tumultuous year that included riots in the capital and a coup attempt, President Kaunda signed legislation ending UNIP's monopoly on power. In response to growing popular demand for multi-party democracy, and after lengthy, difficult negotiations between the Kaunda Government and opposition groups, Zambia enacted a new constitution in August 1991. The constitution enlarged the National Assembly from 136 members to a maximum of 158 members, established an electoral commission, and allowed for more than one presidential candidate. Moreover, candidates no longer had to be members of UNIP. Under the present constitution, the president is elected directly by universal suffrage and may serve a maximum of two 5-year terms. The National Assembly is comprised of 150 directly elected members, up to 8 presidentially appointed members, and a speaker. Zambia is divided into nine provinces, each administered by an appointed governor. Multiparty elections for president and parliament were held in October 1991. The Supreme Court is the highest court and the court of appeal; below it are high court, magistrate's court, and local courts. Principal Government Officials President--Frederick Chiluba Vice President--Levy Mwanawasa Minister of Foreign Affairs--Vernon Mwaanga Ambassador to the United States--Dunstan Kamana Ambassador to the United Nations--Otema Musaka Zambia maintains an embassy in the United States at 2419 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-265-9717). POLITICAL CONDITIONS The major figure in Zambian politics from 1964 to 1991 was Kenneth Kaunda, who led the fight for independence and traditionally bridged the rivalries among the country's various regions and ethnic groups. Kaunda tried to base government on his philosophy of "humanism," which condemns human exploitation and stresses cooperation among people but not at the expense of the individual. Kaunda's political party--the United National Independence Party (UNIP)--was founded in 1959 and was in power under Kaunda's direction since the country gained independence in 1964. Before 1972, Zambia had three significant political parties--UNIP, the ANC, and the United Progressive Party (UPP). The ANC drew its strength from western and southern provinces, while the UPP found some support among Bemba-speakers in the copperbelt and northern provinces. Although not strongly supported in all areas of the country, only UNIP had a nationwide following. In February 1972, Zambia became a one-party state, and all other political parties were banned. Kaunda, the sole candidate, was elected President in the 1973 elections. Elections also were held for the National Assembly. Only UNIP members were permitted to run, but these seats were sharply contested. President Kaunda's mandate was renewed in December 1978 and October 1983 in a "yes" or "no" vote on his candidacy. In the 1983 election, more than 60% of those registered participated and gave President Kaunda a 93% "yes" vote. Growing opposition to UNIP's monopoly on power led to the rise in 1990 of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD). The MMD assembled an increasingly impressive group of important Zambians, including prominent UNIP defectors and labor leaders. During the year, President Kaunda agreed to a referendum on the one-party state and, in the face of continued opposition, dropped the referendum and signed a constitutional amendment making Zambia a multiparty state. Zambia's first multiparty elections for parliament and the presidency since the early 1970s were held on October 31, 1991. Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) candidate Frederick Chiluba resoundingly carried the presidential election over Kenneth Kaunda by winning 81% of the vote. To add to the MMD landslide, in the parliamentary elections the MMD won 125 of the 150 elected seats and UNIP the remaining 25. However, UNIP swept the Eastern Province, gathering 19 of its seats there. ECONOMY The Zambian economy is based primarily on its state-controlled copper industry. Traditionally, the copper industry has accounted for a significant portion of the GDP, from one-third to one-half of government revenues, and more than 90% of Zambia's foreign-exchange earnings. Due to a sharp decline in world copper prices in 1975, prolonged drought, internal management problems, and limited expertise, Zambia's economy has severely declined for more than a decade, with reduced imports, rising unemployment, and growing foreign debt. Copper production has fallen to less than 500,000 metric tons per year from a 1976 high of 720,000 metric tons. Unless the copper company can make massive improvements in its facilities, production will continue to decline. In late 1982, the government restricted public spending, reduced government subsidies, raised farm-producer incentives, and devalued the currency, first by fiat and then by introducing a foreign-exchange auction system in 1985. In February 1986, Zambia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed on a new 2-year standby program designed to restore financial discipline, restructure external debt, and promote non-mineral exports. In December 1986, in response to sharp rises in the price of staples and food shortages, rioting erupted in the copper-producing region, and at least 15 people were killed. The government, convinced that economic reform policies were responsible, abandoned the IMF program in May 1987, citing unacceptably high social, economic, and political costs. At the same time, the government emphasized that it had not abandoned its efforts to restructure Zambia's economy; rather, it would pursue restructuring on its own terms and with its own plan. By early 1989, in consultations with the IMF and the World Bank, Zambia developed a new economic reform plan. Despite food riots in Lusaka in June 1990, the government adhered to its plan and earned the support of Western donors. In early 1991, Zambia qualified for new World Bank assistance for the first time since 1987. Progress on economic restructuring stalled by mid-year when President Kaunda failed to follow through on earlier commitments to the World Bank. In mid-September, following Zambia's failure to meet a third arrears payment in as many months, the World Bank formally suspended all lending activity. Several Western donors followed suit by suspending their aid programs. Immediately upon his election, President Chiluba began to implement critical economic reforms and reopened negotiations for the resumption of World Bank and IMF programs. As of January 1992, the World Bank again began to provide assistance under the Economic Recovery Credit. However, the country's foreign debt remained in excess of $7 billion. Although Zambia's reform plan includes privatization of most government-owned enterprises, there still is substantial government participation in many sectors through a system of state-owned or state-controlled (parastatal) companies under one state-owned holding company: ZIMCO (Zambia Industrial and Mining Corporation Ltd.). More than 100 companies in the ZIMCO group contribute more than 50% of Zambia's GDP and 30% of total national wage employment. The most important component of ZIMCO is Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM), which is 60% state-owned. ZIMCO also includes most energy industries, the transportation industry, major hotels, wholesale and retail distributors, insurance, a commercial bank, the fertilizer plant, breweries, saw mills, plantations, automobile assembly plants, glass works, and other industries. The government recognizes that the inefficiencies and high costs of public-sector domination contribute to the country's economic decline and has announced its intention to privatize 80% of state-owned enterprises. Despite the dominant role of parastatals, the private sector plays a vital role in the Zambian economy. Private firms are particularly active in the construction and highway transportation industries, banking, and commercial agriculture. Government has moved toward a more market-oriented development approach; private-sector investment, both domestic and foreign, is being encouraged, particularly in agriculture and agribusiness through new investment legislation and other incentives. Agriculture is the main livelihood of half of Zambia's population. Maize (corn) is the principal cash crop as well as the staple food. Other important crops include groundnuts, soybeans, cotton, sugar, sunflower seeds, wheat, sorghum, millet, cassava, and tobacco. Zambia has potential for significant increases in agricultural production; only about 20% of an estimated 60 million hectares of arable land is cultivated. In the past, the agricultural sector has suffered from low producer prices, difficulties in the availability and distribution of credit and inputs, and the shortage of foreign exchange. Zambia is one of the most urbanized and industrialized countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Manufacturing, heavily import dependent, primarily produces for the domestic consumer market. Despite some recent improvement, most plants operate at about 50% of capacity, and output remains below that of 10 years ago. As a landlocked country, Zambia depends on external transportation routes, specifically road and rail routes through Zimbabwe and Botswana to ports in South Africa and through Tanzania to the Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam. In recent years, the southern route has increasingly carried Zambian imports, and exports through Dar es Salaam have increased. In 1984, the southern route carried about 64% of Zambia's imports and 20% of its exports, while Dar es Salaam handled 66% of exports and 32% of imports. Since late 1986, Zambia rerouted remaining copper exports transiting South Africa to both Dar es Salaam and Beira, Mozambique. In 1987, Zambia announced that it had stopped exporting copper via the southern route and South Africa. During 1990, reacting to positive political developments in South Africa, Zambia relaxed its restrictions on using South African ports. A new transportation route opened through Namibia to Walvis Bay, which is of growing importance as a port for Zambia's imports and exports. Zambia is participating under the aegis of the Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) in efforts to restructure, rehabilitate, and improve the transport infrastructure of southern and eastern Africa so as to reduce the region's economic dependence on and vulnerability to events in South Africa. FOREIGN RELATIONS Zambia is a member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the front-line states, Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC), and the Preferential Trade Area (PTA). Zambia traditionally has been active in promoting peaceful change in the southern African region. Its major foreign policy goals have included an end to the civil war in Angola and majority rule in South Africa. President Kaunda was a persistent advocate of peaceful change in South Africa, meeting with the South African president and foreign minister, ANC leaders Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo, and Inkatha leader Buthelezi. He also cooperated in US efforts to promote peaceful solutions to regional problems. Since his election, President Chiluba has established trade links with South Africa and recognized Israel. Zambia is a leading member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The country has received development assistance from a number of Western and neutral countries, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. China also has been a prominent donor, particularly in the transportation sector, and North Korea has undertaken some agricultural projects. DEFENSE The Zambian Defense Force (ZDF) consists of the army, the air force, and Zambian National Service (ZNS). The ZNS, while operating under the Ministry of Defense, is responsible primarily for public works projects. The ZDF is designed primarily for internal defense. US-ZAMBIAN RELATIONS Bilateral relations between Zambia and the United States were strained during the last year of the Kaunda-led government but have improved dramatically with the establishment of multiparty democracy and the election of President Chiluba. Zambia and the United States share common political and legal traditions and agree on the most pressing southern African regional goals: successful implementation--including free and fair elections--of the Angola Peace Accord, a cease-fire in Mozambique, and ending apartheid in South Africa. The United States has a substantial foreign assistance program in Zambia and has strongly supported its economic reform program. In addition to support for development projects--primarily in the agricultural sector--the United States has provided food aid and participated in international efforts to rehabilitate the Tazara Railroad line, Zambia's principal land route to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam. US efforts to assist Zambia in drought relief can add an increasingly important positive element to bilateral relations. President Chiluba made a private visit to Washington, DC, in February 1992, and Vice President Bush visited Zambia in 1982. Principal US Officials Ambassador--Gordon Streeb Deputy Chief of Mission--Michael Arietti Political Officer--Don Gatto Economic/Commercial Officer--Necia Quast Public Affairs Officer--Steadman Howard AID Mission Director--Fred Winch Consular Officer--William Fitzgerald The US embassy in Zambia is at the corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues (PO Box 31617), Lusaka (tel. 228595). TRAVEL NOTES: Climate and clothing: Summer clothing is worn mid-August to mid-May. Light woolens are useful in winter (mid-May to mid-August). Customs and currency: Travelers from the US must obtain entry visas from the Zambian embassy in Washington, DC, or from the Zambian mission to the UN in New York. A valid passport and record of inoculation for cholera are required. Travelers may be asked to declare the currencies they hold at the time of entry. Restrictions have been placed on the export of Zambian kwacha. Health: Standards in Lusaka and other urban areas are fair. Water from the municipal system is considered potable, but boiling is advised. Malaria is endemic throughout the country, including large urban areas, and malaria suppressants are essential. Infections will result from bathing in streams, lakes, and ponds. Although not required, vaccination against typhoid fever is recommended; vaccination against yellow fever is required. Telecommunications: Direct-dialing within Zambia is limited. International communications by telephone and telegraph are adequate but expensive. Direct international dialing is available to Europe and North America. Lusaka is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich mean time or 7 hours ahead of eastern standard time. Transportation: Airlines connect Lusaka with London, Paris, Rome, Bombay, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and other cities in Africa. Scheduled domestic service by Zambian Airways provides direct connections to the larger provincial towns. Zambia Railways provides passenger service within the country and to Dar es Salaam, but service is slow. Paved roads lead from Lusaka to Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zaire. Driving is on the left. Rental cars and an inter-city "luxury" bus service are available. The few urban taxis and buses are crowded, and schedules are erratic. Tourist attractions: Victoria Falls is becoming the center of a modern resort area with various accommodations. Kafue and Luangwa Valley National Parks are among the largest in Africa. Both parks are abundantly stocked with native wildlife and offer full accommodations to visitors. Several smaller parks near Lusaka offer 1-day trips. Regular air service operates between Lusaka and resorts on Lake Tanganyika. Several small parks near Lusaka offer 1-day trips. Published by the United States Department of State -- Bureau of Public Affairs -- Office of Public Communication -- Washington, DC -- September 1992 -- Editor: Jo Brooks Department of State Publication 7841 Background Notes Series -- This material is in the public domain and may be reprinted without permission; citation of this source is appreciated. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402.