Zambia: The National Christian Coalition and relations with the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa |
| Publication Date | 5 September 2003 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZMB41966.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Zambia: The National Christian Coalition and relations with the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), 5 September 2003, ZMB41966.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4b20f0252d.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In his 4 September 1997 speech to launch the National Christian Coalition (NCC), Reverend Nevers Mumba declared that the NCC was "not a political party, but a movement to spearhead a revolution of morality and prosperity" for Zambia (ZSBS 4 Sept. 1997). Reverend Mumba then listed six immediate objectives of the NCC that included formulating societal policies based on Biblical values and conducting a national civic education campaign (ibid.). However, on 19 June 1998, the National Council of the NCC changed the group's name to the National Citizens' Coalition in order to broaden its membership, and registered itself as a political party (ibid. 20 June 1998). In his speech to launch the National Citizens' Coalition, Reverend Mumba stated the following:
The past ten months have produced a tremendous season of growth for us, but it has also been an uphill battle with the [Movement for Multiparty Democracy] MMD government using the machinery of its media to discredit our participation on a non-partisan basis (ibid.).
The National Citizens' Coalition failed to win seats in the December 2001 parliamentary elections, and, with only 2.2 per cent of the vote, Reverend Mumba lost his presidential bid (ARB 31 Jan. 2002, 14656).
On 27 May 2003, the National Citizens Coalition dissolved itself as a party and merged with the ruling MMD (ARB 26 June 2003, 15304). On the following day, President Levy Mwanawasa appointed Reverend Mumba as his vice-president, replacing Enoch Kavindele (IRIN 29 May 2003; Africa Confidential 13 June 2003, 15).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Africa Confidential [London]. 13 June 2003. Vol. 44, No. 12. "Sacking the Veep: Frayed Tempers and Shoddy Deals Lie Behind President Levy Mwanawasa's Political Cull."
Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series (ARB) [Oxford]. 26 June 2003. Vol. 40, No. 5. "Zambia: Opposition Party Disbands."
_____. 31 January 2002. Vol. 38, No. 12. "Zambia: MMD President Sworn In."
Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN). 29 May 2003. "President Mwanawasa Appoints Opposition Leader as Vice President."
Zambia Shall Be Saved (ZSBS). 20 June 1998. "Political Party Formation Speech."
_____. 4 September 1997. "Launch Speech."
Additional Sources Consulted
Europa World Yearbook
IRB Databases
Political Handbook of the World
Internet sites, including:
Afrol.com
AllAfrica.com
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Panafrican News Agency (PANA)
Republic of Zambia – State Information Centre
Times of Zambia
Zamnet
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