Elections: affrontements à Lusaka – 29 août 2011
ZAMBIA: Cadres clash ahead of poll
africanews.com
Violent and bloody clashes erupted in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka less than two weeks before Zambians elect a new president. Supporters of the governing Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) and the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) clashed Friday within Lusaka’s Central Business District, disrupting business for close to two hours.
Main city central highways like Lumumba, Freedom Way, Ben Bella and Chachacha Roads were blocked as they turned into battle ground.
The clashes in Lusaka erupted over the removal of rival campaign posters by the cadres of the two political parties.
Unconfirmed reports say one person has been killed in the election standoff that has tensed up the mood in the southern Africa state.
Supporters of the opposition PF are claiming that one of its supporters was killed by MMD cadres in a nearby south-eastern slum of Kanyama and this prompted the riots.
The claim of the death by the PF is yet to be confirmed.
Business was interrupted and shops were closed as business operators and residents ran for cover amid mass unrest in the Zambian capital.
Some cadres are said to have possessed machetes and other dangerous weapons. Read more…
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