Zambia's president names successor

Violent protests pursuaded Chiluba not to run again

Zambian President Frederick Chiluba has surprised critics by naming a successor to run in the election due later this year.

The candidate, lawyer Levy Mwanawasa is an outsider who fell out with President Chiluba and was sacked as his vice-president in 1994, three years after the ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy took office.

I am confident we shall work together with party cadres to deliver the presidency

Levy Mwanawasa, MMD candidate

Mr Chiluba's decision to step down comes after months of widespread campaigns against his seeking an unconstitutional third term in office.

At a press conference the new presidential candidate, who was handpicked over more senior members of the MMD, said he was "greatly overwhelmed by the decision.

"I am confident we shall work together with the party cadres to deliver the presidency during the elections," he said.

Serious challenge

Mr Chiluba's move to seek yet another mandate caused a severe split in his party.

The MMD had even altered its constitution to allow him to contest the polls.

The arguments over this decision led to President Chiluba sacking his entire cabinet.

Chiluba's party, the MMD, split in two over his re-election bid

In April about 80 senior members, including his vice-president, formed the break-away Forum for Democracy and Development party which is being seen as a serious challenge to the MMD.

Mr Chiluba had come to power in a wave of euphoria and goodwill after beating veteran leader Kenneth Kaunda in the country's first multi-party election in 1991.

Corruption allegations

But after a few years in office his government began being dogged by allegations of mismanagement and corruption.

Meanwhile, two journalists from the independent Post newspaper and a former ally of Mr Chiluba have been charged with defaming him and are due to appear in court again in September.

Police are waiting to question an independent member of Parliament in connection with the same charge.

On Wednesday the United States called on Mr Chiluba to show a commitment to democratic principles.

It also asked him to reconsider the decision to close the region's only independent radio station.