Constitutional amendments in Zambia: a challenge to democracy?

ABSTRACT

Multi‐party elections which swept most of Africa in the 1980s and 1990s led the way for the establishment of democracy. The major concern now is the consolidation of democracy. The paper discusses the amendments to the 1991 Constitution of Zambia and their impact on democracy. The amendments, although well intentioned, provide a good example of an attempt by an incumbent elite at legitimizing its hold on power while denying others the right to participate in the process and, or challenge the power holders. The withholding of financial assistance by Zambia's major donors is not only a classic use of ‘aid’ to enforce adherence to democratic principles, but is symbolic of the failure of civil society and opposition parties on one hand, and the ruling elite on the other to reconcile their differences to accommodate various interests for the sake of democracy and political stability.