ZAMBIA: U.S warns against rigging in Thursday polls

By: Ollus Ndomu

U.S ambassador to Zambia, David Young, warned on Monday that the Biden administration would not hesitate to impose sanctions on individuals or groups scheming to manipulate the tripartite elections slated for Thursday this week.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital Lusaka, Mr. Young said the U.S government was closely monitoring the forthcoming Zambian elections adding that his office was aware of certain politicians who were inciting electoral violence and preaching tribal hate speech.

The ambassador further re-affirmed America’s commitment to promoting democracy and human rights and criticized Republican President Edgar Lungu for saying he would arrest his closest rival Hakainde Hichilema after winning the most contested Thursday polls.

Lungu disclosed Saturday that he was going to emerge victorious in the presidential election and promised to arrest his rival on allegations of privatizing state assets two decades ago during the Movement for Multiparty Democracy -MMD- government.

Meanwhile, Lungu asked former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete to help Zambia manage what he (Lungu) said an acrimonious situation in the election aftermath.

Mr. Kikwete is in country to monitor the elections under the commonwealth burner.

The security situation is tense in the country with army deployed on streets to manage possible post-election violence.