The alarmingly high dropout figures in Zambia have reinforced calls for an
overhaul of the education sector - and for the reintroduction of free
education in government schools.

A major immunisation drive is planned in western Zambia and eastern Angola in response to new polio cases among young Angolan refugees, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF said in a joint statement.

Despite dwindling funds from Danish government for Southern Africa, the Danish government has channeled funds to the Permanent Commission for Human Rights in Zambia.This funding will help to effect the repatriation of illegal immigrants languishing in Zambian prisons.

Plans are afloat to save more than 11 000 Zambians from loosing their jobs through imminent closure of Canola Copper Mines (KIM). The Zambian government and the world bank have come up with a strategic plan to avoid serious repercussion this might have for the country's budget and economy.

The European Union (EU) and the Carter Centre this week expressed grave doubts about the authenticity of the official results of Zambia's general elections held in December, and called for a speedy judicial review of the results to ease lingering political tensions.

When the government of the Republic of Zambia privatised the mines, it was everybody’s expectation that the investment plans agreed with the mining investors would be successfully implemented and would improve the financial viability and technical efficiencies to the benefit of our country. On the advice of the World Bank that indicated “ healthy projections” the mines were sold. The new owners were given big concessions and took on less social and environmental responsibilities. The finalization of the sale of ZCCM was expected to positively impact on the various sectors of the economy and lead to sustainable economic growth so as to uplift the standards of living of the people of Zambia. Unfortunately today, the reality is different from the expectations.

The World Bank was ready to find cash so Zambia could save mines owned by Anglo American from closure if the mining giant pulled out of the country, the lender said at the weekend.

Some nine thousand Angolan refugees waiting to be relocated remain stranded in transit facilities outside the Nangweshi refugee camp in Zambia's Western Province, and more are on the way. Following discussions last year with government authorities after the camp reached its maximum capacity of 15,000 people, the Zambian government elected last December is expected to announce a decision soon to open a new refugee camp that would accommodate the 9,000 refugees from Nangweshi and receive future Angolan refugees.

Zambia looked headed for a constitutional crisis on Friday, after its new parliament closed unceremoniously only hours after it started sitting following sharp differences over the election process for a Speaker, political analysts said.

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa's political woes appeared to deepen on Monday as a disgruntled opposition boycotted bridge-building talks he called to resolve an impasse that crippled the National Assembly last week.

To express our condemnation of the continued assault on women, since Monday this week in particular, and on violence against women in general in Zambia. Bring your placards with messages to bring home once and for all to our government that enough is enough...
Time: assemble 08:00 hours
Place: embassy square (opposite Cabinet Office), Lusaka
Date: Friday, 18th January, 2002.

STATE House yesterday refuted reports that it had banned women from wearing mini-skirts and skin tights as part of President Mwanawasa's 'New Deal' and directed police to deal firmly with culprits who stripped innocent women in the Lusaka city centre yesterday. Spokesperson Arthur Yoyo said the President had at no time issued directives to bar women from wearing pairs of trousers, mini-skirts and skin tights. Police arrested more than 20 youths in connection with the rowdy behaviour which left some women stripped naked.

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has pledged continued support for Zambia under the new administration of President Levy Mwanawasa. IMF deputy managing director, Shigemitsu Sugisaki said in Lusaka that it was important for Zambia to continue having wide support until her domestic resource mobilisation was strengthened.

"WE ARE the devil you know," explained Levy Mwanawasa, the ruling party's presidential candidate, shortly before Zambia's election on December 27th. Not exactly an inspiring slogan, but he and the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) managed to scrape into office. With 29% of the votes, Mr Mwanawasa won just a few thousand more than his nearest rival, Anderson Mazoka, a businessman. Local and foreign observers, as well as the opposition, believe that a good bit of rigging played its part in this tight finish.

While nearly three-quarters of the population earns less than $1 a day, the new foreign minister was cleared of involvement in the theft of nearly $500, 000 of public money. Almost every day, evidence surfaces to suggest Zambia's unpopular governing party rigged last month's presidential election in favor of a candidate whose sometimes bumbling syntax has earned him the nickname "the vegetable."

The Women Refugees Project is a non governmental organization directed by women for women refugees in Zambia. The Women Refugees Organization is focusing on challenges of how women refugees' rights can be respected.

Levy Mwanawasa, Zambia's new president, unveiled his cabinet and warned he would not tolerate any form of corruption in his government. In an effort to put the controversy surrounding his election to rest, Mr Mwanawasa said he would deliver on the "new deal" he had promised voters.

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa on Monday announced a new cabinet and policy reforms that some analysts said would allay concerns of him being a "puppet" president.

Zambia's new president, Levy Mwanawasa, has vowed to fight the AIDS epidemic gripping his country, declaring it a national disaster and promising to look at securing cheaper drugs to help treat the disease.

Zambian ruling party candidate Levy Mwanawasa has been sworn in as president amid high controversy after the tightest election since independence in 1964.