Briefing Paper

Zambia: Between bombs and economic betterment

“FIVE BOMB BLASTS rocked the Zambian capital, Lusaka, on Sunday 28 February 1999. One exploded at the Angolan Embassy, others being aimed mainly at infrastructure targets. The last time Zambia experienced this sort of violence was ahead of the 1996 elections when a shadowy political group
known as the ‘Black Mambas’ claimed responsibility for a number of attacks. Zambia’s currently tense relations with Angola and the possibility of internal insurrection raise a number of questions: first, is there any likelihood of war between Angola and Zambia? Second, what are the domestic forces pitted against President Frederick Chiluba’s government, and are there any reasons why they might mount
such attacks? Third, what are the implications for South Africa?”