Zambia has continued to attract high profile visitors from around the world and adding to the list of latest visits is the United Nations Secretary General Bank Ki - moon who is expected in Zambia Friday. This is a first visit that Ban Ki Moon is making to Africa since taking up his second term as UN Secretary General and during his stay in Zambia he is expected to address the special session of Zambia's National Assembly Friday. - The Secretary General is expected also to meet Zambia’s president Michael Sata for the first time and other senior Zambian government officials; this is according to UN resident coordinating office in Zambia. The last official visit by a UN Secretar…

Zambia's capital Lusaka has been hit by severe shortage of fuel as a strike action by fuel tank drivers who deliver fuel to filling stations enters day three. The fuel tank drivers are demanding for better working conditions and a salary pay rise of about K 5 million (US $ 1,000) across the board and other unpaid arrears amounting to about K10 million (US $ 2,000) for each from their employers. - Many of the striking workers belong to oil companies which include Total and Ody’s Oil companies which are the main suppliers of petrol and diesel around Lusaka and some parts of Zambia. A round check at most filling stations in Lusaka found many of the stations open but without any o…

- By Daniel Tonga Lusaka, Zambia 24 Feb 2012 – The Zambian government has threatened that it will not allow but ban all journalists from covering functions at President Michael Sata’s state house if their dressing did not show signs of improvement. Permanent Secretary in the ministry of information Amos Malupenga said it was disappointing to see how journalists covering state house dressed which according to him did not suit the official occasions taking place especially at State house. ‘I was shocked to you see journalists dressed in the manner we have complained, we cannot just be talking about it so we are going to put up a system and all journalists who are not…

- By Daniel Tonga, Lusaka, Zambia 24 Feb 2012 - Zambia’s President Micheal Sata has made a dramatic U-turn stating he remains reluctant to recommend to his government for the restoration of a 1964 Barotse Agreement which could allow the secession of western part of Zambia predominantly with ethnic Tonga and Lozi speaking peoples. Mr. Sata’s refusal to endorse this agreement comes after a commission of inquiry recently set up by himself to investigate complexities surrounding the calls of secession by people in western province recommended for the restoration of the agreement. Early last year riots broke out in the Western part of Zambia after Tonga and Lozi speaking peop…

- By Daniel Tonga Lusaka, Nov 9. (Africa News) - Zambia’s national budget is set for presentation this Friday amid growing uncertainties of what Sata’s led government will prioritize in an economy that is severely hit by rising levels of unemployment and poverty. The 2012 national budget comes as Zambia’s unemployment levels hits 17 percent whilst poverty levels are at 70 percent, both have been attributed to poor budgetary allocations and economic policies by analysts. The national budget is the first to be presented by the newly ushered in government of President Michael Sata and is closely watched by opposition political parties, donors, business houses and in…

The quest for peace in western Zambia entered uncertain terrain after police arrested three ring leaders of Barotse Freedom Movement BFM, a faction that is demanding for secession of western province for ethnic Lozi people. - The three who have since remained in police custody are expected to appear before the courts of law to answer charges, Zambia Police Service said. Zambia is made up of nine provinces composed of different ethnic groups including western province which is predominantly made up of Lozi speaking people who command large influence in Zambia’s political and economic life. Ethnic divisions and clashes are not rife in Zambia though fears are rising in some quarte…

- By Daniel Tonga, 1st November 2010 Consumer prices in Zambia hardly budged for weeks despite an economy holding annual inflation to its lowest level since October, while signs still indicate that the economy will not cool as the year ends. The consumer price index, a broadest gauge of costs and services reduced to an impressive 7.3 per cent in October from a 7.7 per cent in the previous month, Zambia’s Central Statistics Office CSO reported. A survey in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka revealed commodities selling at the same prices as in previous months while prices for selected goods were slightly higher. As signs continue to reveal, prices of go…

- By Daniel Tonga, 1st November 2010 Zambian President Rupiah Banda might need convincing evidence to show economic benefits of his trips within the fragmented political spectrum, as many continue to view them as a drain on the country’s treasury. Banda’s local and foreign trips have brought a bitter a rift among groups in some quarters of the country with the ruling party defending them as necessary to woo foreign investment whilst those in the opposition consider them waste of tax payer’s money. According to statistics available, from January to September 2010 out of total days of 272 days the president spent 103 days out of the co…