Zambia's fiery populist, Michael Sata, wins presidential election
| Lusaka, Zambia
Zambia鈥檚 new president Michael Sata is known for his fiery speeches, his harsh criticism of Chinese investment in the Zambian copper mining industry, and his fondness for the governing philosophy of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe. But in his first major statement since being declared the winner of this week鈥檚 presidential elections, the opposition leader struck a gentler line, albeit a still skeptical one.
鈥淭he rule of law and justice will be the cornerstone of my rule. I hope investors will abide by Zambia鈥檚 labour laws.鈥� Mr. Sata said Friday at his inauguration ceremony at the Supreme Court in Lusaka on Friday. However, he also acknowledged that foreign investment is key to Zambia's future growth and promised that his government would continue to partner with foreign investors during his term in office.
Despite his reassurances, markets were rocked by the announcement. Investors began selling off Zambian currency, the kwacha, signaling nervousness that Zambia would become a riskier investment climate under the populist president with strong opinions on foreign investment. In Chingola, a city in Zambia鈥檚 northern Copperbelt region, Indian and Chinese businessmen closed their shops, a sign of concern that Sata鈥檚 victory might encourage his supporters to riot and loot shops.
But China welcomed Sata鈥檚 election, in part because Sata has hinted that his government may continue some of the business-friendly policies of his predecessor, President Rupiah Banda. Zambia is Africa鈥檚 largest producer of copper, and if production increases, it could become the fifth largest supplier in the world by 2013.
In the 2006 presidential race, Sata promised to send away some foreign businessmen, whom he called 鈥渋nfestors,鈥� but at a recent campaign rally, he said of China, 鈥淲e need foreign investors because they provide jobs for our people. But they must respect Zambian workers.鈥�
In a country where 70 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, Sata's campaign platform of lower taxes, more money in people鈥檚 pockets, and promises to life people out of poverty within 90 days resonated. Yet he also told voters to 鈥渂race yourselves for hard work,鈥� and vowed to 鈥渓ead by example.鈥�
Incumbent President Banda graciously accepted defeat, urging his supporters to accept the election result. Sata鈥檚 margin of victory was substantial enough with 95 percent of the votes tallies for the electoral commission to stop the vote count. Sata reached 1.15 million votes to Banda鈥檚 961,000.
What remains to be seen is how Sata鈥檚 famous temper serves him in office. Nicknamed 鈥淜ing Cobra鈥� for his venomous tongue and hardened by years in opposition politics, Sata is a man who speaks his mind. Some analysts question whether this style will work well in the halls of power, and in the world of international, regional and African Union diplomacy.
