| | At the beginning of the 1990s the stage appeared set for an era of global democratisation with western attention particularly focused on Africa. After the 1991 election Zambia was praised by western donor countries and the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) as a beacon which heralded political transformation across the continent. Yet any exploration of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy's (MMD) political performance, its record in developing human rights, or the personal integrity of ministers would have revealed this acclaim to be unfounded. This contention is substantiated through an examination of the areas of personal security and government/press relations. It is argued that donor support for political reform was grounded in their desire for the implementation of structural adjustment programmes and economic liberalising measures which resulted in the concept of democracy with which they were associated, becoming discredited. |
