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| Government of Zambia | |
|---|---|
| Conventional long name | Republic of Zambia |
| Common name | Zambia |
| Capital | Lusaka |
| Largest city | Lusaka |
| Official languages | English language |
| Government type | Unitary presidential constitutional republic |
| President | Hakainde Hichilema |
| Legislature | Parliament of Zambia |
| Upper house | None |
| Lower house | National Assembly |
| Sovereignty type | Independence |
| Established event1 | Independence from the United Kingdom |
| Established date1 | 24 October 1964 |
Government of Zambia The Republic of Zambia is administered under a presidential constitutional order centered in Lusaka, with executive, legislative, and judicial organs defined by the 1991 Constitution and its amendments. The state evolved from colonial institutions established under the British South Africa Company and the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland into a multiparty polity shaped by figures such as Kenneth Kaunda, Frederick Chiluba, and Michael Sata. Zambia's governance interacts with regional bodies like the Southern African Development Community and international organizations including the United Nations, African Union, and Commonwealth of Nations.
Zambia's legal order is grounded in the 1991 Constitution as amended by later acts such as the 2016 constitutional amendments and judicial interpretations by the Supreme Court of Zambia. Sources of law include statutes enacted by the National Assembly, customary law adjudicated in traditional forums linked to chiefs from the Barotse Royal Establishment and legal precedents set by courts modeled on the Common law tradition inherited from the United Kingdom. Constitutional rights have been litigated in landmark cases involving parties like the Forum for Democracy and Development and the United Party for National Development. Oversight institutions such as the Human Rights Commission of Zambia and the Electoral Commission of Zambia enforce provisions on civil liberties, electoral integrity, and separation of powers.
Executive authority is vested in the President, who serves as head of state and government, commander-in-chief, and appointing authority for cabinet ministers, ambassadors, and senior public officials. Recent presidents include Hakainde Hichilema, Edgar Lungu, Michael Sata, and Levy Mwanawasa. The President is elected by popular ballot under rules administered by the Electoral Commission of Zambia and can appoint a Vice-President and cabinet drawn from the UPND or other parties. The executive oversees ministries such as the Ministry of Finance (Zambia), Ministry of Health (Zambia), Ministry of Home Affairs (Zambia), Ministry of Defence (Zambia), and agencies including the Zambia Revenue Authority and the Patents and Companies Registration Agency. Executive action is subject to judicial review by courts including the High Court of Zambia.
Legislative power resides in the unicameral National Assembly, where members represent constituencies such as urban districts in Lusaka and rural provinces like Eastern Province, Zambia and Luapula Province. Major political parties represented have included the United National Independence Party, Movement for Multi-Party Democracy, Patriotic Front (Zambia), United Party for National Development, and smaller groupings. The Assembly enacts statutes, approves budgets presented by the Ministry of Finance (Zambia), and exercises oversight via select committees on matters such as public accounts, health, mines and minerals, and foreign affairs involving states like China and United States. Parliamentary practice draws on precedents from the Westminster system and regional parliaments like the Parliament of South Africa.
The judiciary is headed by the Chief Justice of Zambia and comprises the Supreme Court of Zambia, the Constitutional Court of Zambia (where applicable under amendment), the High Court of Zambia, and subordinate magistrates' courts. Judicial independence has been tested in disputes involving presidents such as Kenneth Kaunda and Levy Mwanawasa and cases brought by civil society groups like Transparency International-linked activists. The courts adjudicate constitutional petitions, commercial disputes involving companies such as Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines and mining concessions, and customary disputes under chiefs recognized through legislation like the Chieftainship Act (Zambia). Judges are appointed following procedures involving the Judicial Service Commission.
Zambia is administratively divided into provinces including Northern Province, Zambia, Copperbelt Province, Central Province, Zambia, and Southern Province, Zambia, each headed by appointed Provincial Ministers and civil service structures tied to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (Zambia). Local government comprises municipal councils such as the Lusaka City Council, district councils, and traditional authorities under chiefs like the Litunga of the Lozi. Decentralization reforms have been influenced by donors like the World Bank and agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme, and engage actors including Non-governmental organizations and faith-based bodies such as the Zambia Episcopal Conference.
A wide array of statutory bodies and parastatals implement policy: the Zambia Revenue Authority, Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, Patents and Companies Registration Agency, Zambia Police Service, Zambia Prisons Service, Bank of Zambia, Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (Zambia). State-owned enterprises include entities like Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines-successor firms, Zambia Railways, and the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation. Regulatory institutions oversee sectors via laws such as the Mines and Minerals Development Act and the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, interacting with investors from corporations like Vedanta Resources and sovereign partners in South Africa and China.
National defence is provided by the Zambian Defence Force (formerly the Zambian Army), supported by the Zambia Air Force and disciplined services including the Zambia Police Service and Zambia National Service. Zambia maintains a non-aligned stance in regional security, participating in peacekeeping under United Nations peacekeeping mandates and regional initiatives by the African Union and Southern African Development Community; it has contributed personnel to missions in places like Darfur and Liberia. Defence policy is overseen by the Ministry of Defence (Zambia), with procurement and cooperation agreements negotiated with states such as China, United Kingdom, and United States. Security sector reform efforts have involved partners like the United Nations Development Programme and civil society organizations.
Category:Politics of Zambia Category:Government by country