Zambians say their country is a functioning democracy - Afrobarometer

Most Zambians surveyed by Afrobarometer see their country as a "full democracy".

The country has had six presidents following the fall in 1991 of founding president Kenneth Kaunda, who had ruled Zambia for 27 years. 

Eight in 10 citizens (80%) consider Zambia “a full democracy” or “a democracy with minor problems”, according to the survey.

The survey also noted that 87% of Zambians in the survey prefer democracy to any other form of government. 

Non-democratic alternatives such as one-party rule were also rejected by 87%, while 91% were against military rule and almost everyone surveyed (95%) were against a dictatorship.

Kaunda's reign was broken by Frederick Chiluba, effectively breaking the political dominance of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), which had operated a one-party state from 1973.

Chiluba, under the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) came in for two terms, followed by his successor Levy Mwanawasa.

Rupiah Banda took over from Mwanawasa, who died in office, but then lost to "The King Cobra" Michael Sata of the Patriotic Front (PF).

Sata also died in office and his deputy Guy Scott led the country for almost three months into the next elections, when Edgar Lungu stood and won as the PF's candidate.

But after one term, Lungu lost to the incumbent Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development.

A considerable number of Zambians interviewed by Afrobarometer said the country had greatly improved as a democracy.

"Half (50%) of Zambians believe that the country has become 'more democratic' over the past five years, while 21% think democracy has lost ground," the report said.

Hichilema beat Lungu by more than a million votes in what was his sixth attempt at the presidency.

Hichilema's victory was largely credited to the huge turnout by youthful voters.

Zambians believe their country will be a more improved democracy in the next general elections in 2026.

"Nearly six in 10 (57%) believe that in five years’ time, the country will be more democratic than it is today," the survey found.

A leader in democracy

Zambia has emerged as exemplary when it comes to the smooth transition of power in Southern Africa.

Next week the country will be one of the hosts of the Summit for Democracy. 

Zambia will join the United States, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, and the Republic of Korea.

According to a statement issued by the US government, the summit will "highlight the many electoral stakeholders contributing to electoral integrity and explore how elections on the African continent have changed in recent years".

Some of the key engagements at the summit will be new approaches and partnerships that strengthen democracy, human rights, and governance.

President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will be given a virtual platform and is expected to discuss his vision for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and rally Africa's support.

This article originally appeared in news24