U.S. Follows Through on Promise to Cancel Zambia’s Debt

In late December the United States followed through on a promise by writing off $280 million in debts owed to it by Zambia.

In all, Western countries and NGOs wrote off over $1 billion in debt owed by Zambia. When all is said and done, according to the BBC, Zambia’s debt is likely to fall from around US $7 billion to around US $500 million.

Now the only issue is what the hell Zambia will do with this sudden lowering of debt. Zambia’s debt problems originated largely from widespread corruption within its government. Former president Frederick Chiluba drove the country into the ground during his 10 year reign that ended in 2001, and if Zambia is going to succeed it will take more than just debt relief — it will take a complete change in its political culture.

Of course, Chiluba’s corruption trial is a very good start, but too often reformers have come to power in African nations only to find the culture of corruption to entrenched to over come, and in some cases find themselves quickly compromised by that culture. For example, current Zambia president Levy Mwanawasa hold his office thanks to winning just 28 percent of the vote in a 2001 election that was deemed unfair by independent election monitors, including the Carter Center and Mwanawasa rejected proposed changes to Zambia’s constitution that would modify election rules to make such outcomes less likely.

Not exactly the sort of person ideal to lead basic reforms to overcome official corruption.

Sources:

US boosts Zambia with debt relief. Martin Plaut, The BBC, December 31, 2005.

President Mwanawasa backtracks on constituent assembly. IRIN, February 3, 2006.

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