Confusion over Zambian presidency

Mwanawasa: Referred to the outgoing president as his sister

By CNN's Jeff Koinange

LUSAKA, Zambia -- It was supposed to be a straight-forward presidential election: 10 candidates, one office, large turnout.

It seemed certain the opposition was headed for a landslide victory after years of stagnant growth, rising unemployment and rampant government corruption.

And even when the vote counting began, it looked like the winds of change had finally blown over Zambian politics -- so much so that the leading opposition candidate, millionaire businessman, Anderson Mazoka, was confident enough to declare himself the winner.

But it turned out to be a little premature when the votes began swinging in the direction of the hand-picked candidate of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Levy Mwanawasa.

Allegations of vote rigging and ballot stuffing abounded and election observers agreed there were major flaws in the electoral process.

Zambians, usually docile and non-violent, were stunned by the sudden change of events and took to the streets to vent their displeasure, accusing the ruling party of stealing the election.

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A last minute injunction by the opposition to annul the elections and postpone the inauguration was defeated and the new president was quickly sworn in, leaving Zambians split on the fairness of the electoral system.

"They were not free and fair. As you can see in the streets instead of the people celebrating, people are mourning," one voter declared.

But a second said: " I think the elections were free and fair and I'm happy Mwanawasa won."

Others are content to move on and let history take its course. " I think we must not cry over spilt milk," said a third voter.

"I think what's important is for Zambians to forge ahead and I would appeal to the opposition to accept the result as they stand and work with the governing party because they must look at the interest of the nation and not their own interests."

But others still aren't convinced Mwanawasa has what it takes to take the nation forward.

"The fear in the minds of most people is that how will this man who, since 1993, had never been actively involved in party activities will be able to command as much respect now despite having the presidential backing," said Anthony Mukwita, a Zambian journalist.

Mwanawasa is a lawyer by profession and a former vice president who quit his post over 10-years ago claiming Zambian politicians were too corrupt to govern one of Southern Africa' most stable economies.

Street protests greeted the declaration of the election result in Lusaka

Soon after, he was involved in a near-fatal car accident which left him in a near vegetative state. His health status came up again during the run up to the elections when he made some gaffes that left Zambians wondering whether he was fit enough to run for the country's highest office.

Says Mukwita: "In a reaction to the opposition saying he was a weak presidential candidate, he reportedly said that he was strong as that man who boxes.... Tike Myson. What he meant to say was that he was strong as Mike Tyson."

But that wasn't the end of it. He was reported to have referred to outgoing President Chiluba as his older sister and fondly recalled his days as vice president in the year 1891, over 110 years ago instead of 1991.

The problem is that some observers think that now he has taken over as president, he may one day embarrass Zambia when he goes to official functions.

About two weeks ago at the height of the campaign, Mwanawasa directly addressed those critics who'd been calling him a vegetable and unfit to rule.

Speaking in front of thousands of supporters he declared, " I'm not a cabbage. I'm a steak....make that a T-bone steak."

Many Zambians are quick to put the past behind them and give their new president the benefit of the doubt.

"He's not a vegetable. He's a man, chosen by the people of Zambia. That's it and that's all," said one voter.

"I think they were cheap remarks and he deserves to be respected as our president now," said another. "I'm not saying he's a cabbage. Ha ha ha ha. I'm not saying he's a cabbage," said a third.

In the meantime, the opposition insists they will continue to petition the election outcome, unwilling to concede what they call a manufactured victory.

Said opposition leader Christon Tembo of the Forum for Democracy and Development: "There are some people within the government system who were involved in the electoral system who were, themselves, displeased with the rigging that took place.

"They saw it first hand and they told us how this was done. This, of course, will be the subject of further discussion in the court when we present these ballots to court."

The opposition has 14 days to contest the election result failing which Mwanawasa becomes the country's third president since independence.

But if they succeed, Mwanawasa could go down in recent African history as the president to have served the shortest term in office.