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Democracy and Governance in Zambia
Zambia’s transition to multiparty democracy has been accompanied by
fundamental economic reforms in an effort to establish a liberal political economy. The political and
economic reform process has been slow and has been impeded by the country's legacy of authoritarian
leadership, historical over-dependency on copper, limited foreign and domestic investment, and
corruption. Furthermore, HIV/AIDS has severely impacted the social and economic sectors. Zambia ranks
163 out of 175 countries on the 2003 United Nations Human Development Index. Life expectancy is
under 40 years; under-five mortality is 168 per 1,000 live births; and there is a high prevalence of
HIV/AIDS (16% of the adult population). Seventy-three percent of the population lives below the official
poverty line. Zambia's development progress has been constrained by lack of economic diversification,
periodic drought and floods, and budgetary weaknesses.
Zambia has many active non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civic society groups, and there are
several independent newspapers and radio stations in addition to the two state-owned newspapers and
the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation. The current government’s top three priorities are the fight
against corruption, promotion of agriculture in a more diversified economy, and combating HIV/AIDS. The
Zambian President also introduced free universal primary education in 2002.
The United States’ primary national interest in Zambia is economic prosperity to support Zambia's
development as a stable, peaceful, and prosperous free market democracy, thus enhancing the stability
of southern Africa. With ongoing conflict within its largest neighbor (the Democratic Republic of Congo)
and political and economic instability in Zimbabwe, a stable, democratic, and prosperous Zambia is
important for the United States and the region. As a country with significant natural resources, a marketbased
economy, and a multi-party democratic political system, Zambia can play a significant role in
promoting peace and stability in a region of growing importance to the United States. A peaceful,
democratic Zambia will assist in the global war against terror by denying terrorists refuge and financial or
other support.
(Excerpted from the 2005 Congressional Budget Justification for Zambia)
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