It’s progress, even if it’s patchy
Zambians have peacefully ousted their leader at the ballot box—an achievement that is no longer unheard of across the continent, but still too rare
“THE people of Zambiahave spoken and we must all listen,” a defeated President Rupiah Banda intoned on September 23rd. His Movement for Multiparty Democracy had ruled Zambia for the past 20 years. Yet when the opposition leader, Michael Sata, and his Patriotic Front won a pretty fair presidential election by a margin of 43% to 36%, the incumbent bowed out with a good grace. In neighbouring countries and across Africa such fine behaviour is still unusual.
This article appeared in the Middle East & Africa section of the print edition under the headline "It’s progress, even if it’s patchy"
From the October 1st 2011 edition
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