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Zambia: Death of President Mwanawasa - timeline

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  • April 2008. President Levy Mwanawasa calls an emergency meeting of the 14-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Lusaka (the capital of Zambia) to discuss the crisis in Zimbabwe. The summit--not attended by President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe--calls for the swift release of disputed presidential election results, but stops short of openly calling for Mugabe's resignation.
  • August 2007. The crisis in Zimbabwe dominates talks between regional leaders when the SADC holds a summit meeting in Lusaka (the capital of Zambia).
  • December 2006. It is announced that Michael Sata, leader of the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) and staunch critic of Mwanawasa, has been arrested and charged with false declaration of assets.
  • October 2006. Mwanawasa is sworn in for a second term as president at a ceremony held in the new National Assembly (the unicameral legislature).
  • September 2006. Presidential and legislative elections are held in Zambia, which result in victory for the incumbent Mwanawasa, but Michael Sata of the PF accuses the MMD of vote rigging.
  • August 2005. Mwanawasa reshuffles his Cabinet, announcing that he has made changes to the structure of government to respond to the challenges of "eliminating poverty in all its forms", and providing "utilities such as clean water and sanitation, shelter and accommodation".
  • October 2004. Mwanawasa announces the dismissal of Vice President Nevers Mumba.
  • February 2004. Mwanawasa commutes the death sentences imposed on 44 soldiers for their part in a failed military coup in 1997.
  • February 2004. The country's main labour unions, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and the Federation of Free Trade Unions (FFTUZ), hold their first national strike in 16 years, closing banks and schools in a one-day protest against tax rises and a wage freeze.
  • January 2004. It is reported that the Zambian government had expelled UK writer and satirist Roy Clark for insulting President Levy Mwanawasa and lampooning his ministers.
  • December 2003. The trial of former President Frederick Chiluba on a range of charges including theft, corruption, abuse of office, and abuse of power, opens in Lusaka.
  • August 2003. Chiluba is arrested and formally charged with theft during his 10 years in office prior to the election of Mwanawasa.
  • February 2003. Chiluba is formally charged with 59 counts of "theft by a public servant" during his 10 years in office.
  • July 2002. The National Assembly votes unanimously in favour of lifting Chiluba's immunity from prosecution in order to allow an investigation into allegations of corruption.
  • July 2002. Katele Kalumba resigns as Minister of Foreign Affairs on July 11 amid allegations of corruption.
  • June 2002. Mwanawasa declares a national disaster in Southern province as a result of food and water shortages in the area.
  • January 2002. Mwanawasa of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) is sworn in as Zambia's third President after the High Court in Lusaka rejects an application by opposition parties to postpone the declaration of the contested results of the elections.
  • January 2002. In the elections to the 159-member National Assembly the MMD win the largest number of seats (69), but even with the addition of six nominated MPs, fall far short of retaining its majority.
  • July 1995. Tension in the ruling MMD erupts during July, culminating in the formation of a breakaway party, Zambia Democratic Congress (ZDC), and a leadership challenge to Chiluba.
  • July 1994. Mwanawasa resigns as Vice-President, citing differences with Chiluba and claiming that his post had been made "virtually irrelevant".
  • January 1994. Chiluba is forced to reshuffle his Cabinet following the resignation of two ministers implicated in allegations of high-level corruption and drug trafficking.
  • November 1991. Following his accession to office, Chiluba announces that the "era of dictators, of hypocrisy and lies" is over. On Nov. 7 Chiluba names his government and pledges to rebuild the country's economy.
  • October 1991. Chiluba, leader of the MMD, is elected president, ending the 27-year rule of Kenneth David Kaunda
  • December 1972. The National Assembly of Zambia approves by 78 votes to none, a Constitutional Amendment Bill prohibiting all opposition parties and establishing the ruling United National Independence Party (UNIP) as the country's sole legal political party.
  • January 1964. Kaunda is successfully elected to the position of first president of Zambia.
  • December 1963. Northern Rhodesia obtains internal self-government, becoming the nation of Zambia.
  • October 1961. The United National Independence Party (UNIP) organises a campaign of civil disobedience in support of demands for Northern Rhodesian independence.
  • August 1953. The Central African Federation is formed, consisting of Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland.
  • February 1949. A conference to discuss the possibility of the federation of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland is held at Victoria Falls.

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