Mwanawasa quells growing anger

2007-07-30 22:07

Lusaka - Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa on Monday sought to quell growing anger fuelled by a planned new constitution, with an appeal for reconciliation to avoid scaring away foreign investors.

"There is need for us as a nation to reconcile and not to be on each other's throat and neck," Mwanawasa said.

Political tensions have been simmering about disagreements over the process of adopting a new constitution that seeks to reduce the powers of the president and enhance human rights and freedoms.

Mwanawasa said the current political impasse in his country could lead to foreign investors leaving if all parties involved in the constitution making process did not properly handle it.

'A constitution that suits his desires'

"We should not allow a situation where investors are threatened by creating instability and acrimony," said the president, adding he was not pushing a personal agenda in the process.

"We are committed to ensuring that the people of Zambia are given a people-driven constitution that will stand a test of time," Mwanawasa said.

Civic and religious groups announced earlier in the day they planned to stage nationwide protests and picket during an upcoming meeting of regional heads of state to air their grievances on the new constitution.

Mwanawasa has been accused of trying to impose a constitution that suits his desires as opposed to a popular document that is supported by the majority of Zambians.

- AFP