Zambia: Ex-Justice minister forms party ahead of polls

Former Zambia Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba has announced the formation of a party after resigning from the governing party.

Mr Kabimba, who was fired as Justice minister and secretary-general of the governing Patriotic Front by late President Michael Sata, was reported to be positioning himself for the top job before pressure mounted to knock him out.

The governing party was now already running a divided presidential campaign with interim leader Guy Scott opting out.

“I have no doubt in my mind that we”ll form government in 2016,” Mr Kabimba flanked by a horde of supporters told reporters in the capital Lusaka.

Mr Kabimba said his party, Rainbow Party, would deliver “unity, economic revolution and freedom”.

The elite now have become the enemies the masses, he said.

Whilst in the governing party, Mr Kabimba was a famed disciplinarian and for that he was loathed and loved in almost equal measure.

WEAKEN THE MILITANCY

His move is likely to weaken the militancy of the governing party which he presided over from 2006 to August 28, 2014 until he was dismissed by Sata.

Mr Kabimba and the late Sata were close allies but were said to have fallen after the shock dismissal.

Zambia is due for a Presidential election on January 20, 2015 prompted by Sata’s death on October 28 in a London Hospital.

Meanwhile, the United States Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz  paid a courtesy call on MMD presidential candidate Rupiah Banda to discuss the upcoming elections.

Mr Schultz discussed issues concerning peace and unity in Zambia, peaceful campaigns and fostering economic growth in Zambia.

The Ambassador also met with Patriotic Front candidate Edgar Lungu and his party officials where issues surrounding the elections were discussed. Ambassador Schultz has also met with acting Scott.

Zambia is drenched in unprecedented political chaos with political party crisis and regionally balanced grouping taking centre stage following the death of Sata.

Last month, a court in Lusaka ruled that Defence and Justice Minister Edgar Lungu is the presidential flag bearer for the governing party the Patriotic Front.

Two factions emerged in the governing party and nominated two candidates to be presidential candidates.

Mr Lungu was nominated by the first conference while Commerce Deputy Minister Miles Sampa was nominated by the second conference held at the same venue on the following day.

-AFP