Call for reconciliation ahead of 40th anniversary

Zambia's President Levy Mwanawasa has called for reconciliation between opposition parties, civil society and the government ahead of the 40th independence celebrations this month. At a thanks-giving ceremony on Monday, Mwanawasa said his appeal for reconciliation did not mean all Zambians should hold uniform political opinions. While many Zambians reportedly view Mwanawasa's rule as an improvement on that of his predecessor, Frederick Chiluba, the new president has had a bumpy presidency. The Supreme Court earlier this month reserved judgment in a lengthy trial brought by four opposition leaders challenging his 2001 election victory, while civil rights activists have accused the ruling party of disregarding appeals for broader participation in the ongoing constitutional review process. The government has also come under fire for failing to alleviate widespread joblessness and chronic poverty: three-quarters of Zambia's 10.8 million people live below the World Bank poverty threshold of US $1 a day. At independence in 1964, Zambia was a major copper producer and potentially one of the continent's richest countries. Today, the compound effects of economic mismanagement, significant external debt and a series of natural calamities have made the landlocked country one of the world's poorest. The call for unity among Zambians is seen as key to strengthening the ailing economy. "This is the time for us to forgive each other and start on a clean slate as a united force; it is time to gear ourselves for the way ahead and return to the original dreams of Zambia being a country of milk and honey," Mwanawasa was quoted as saying in the official Daily Mail newspaper. A sign of Mwanawasa's commitment to turning the struggling economy around has been an aggressive push towards economic diversification. With agricultural production now a priority of his administration, the country has seen two consecutive bumper harvests and is expected to export maize to several neighbouring Southern African countries this year. The authorities have also been reluctant to embark on further privatisation - often criticised as the main reason for high levels of unemployment.