An Economist says political tensions in the country have potential to threaten Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Mambo Hamaundu said peace is an asset that Zambia has been selling to the outside world in order to attract investments despite having various natural resources.
Mr. Hamaundu noted that the happenings may have far reaching consequences on Zambia’s economy, because they are putting the nation on the spot light, where the whole globe is watching.
“One of the key ingredients that attract Foreign Direct Investment, other than natural resources is peace, and we cannot run away from the aspect of peace,” Mr. Hamaundu said.
“Zambia has been selling peace as a commodity and asset to attract investments.”
He said disruptions in the country’s peace would disadvantage would-be investors from coming to invest in Zambia, because it poses as a threat to potential investment especially with circumstances such as effects of Covid-19, load shedding among other challenges the country has been facing.
“For intangible things although the total impact cannot be measured, the world is looking around and trying to find out as to what is really happening in Zambia,” he said.
Meanwhile, Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has condemned in strongest terms the alleged killing of two Zambians by the Police while trying to disperse a crowd that gathered to express support for the opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema who appeared for questioning at Police Headquarters.
Association Honorary Secretary Sokwani Peter Chilembo said the organization has not seen any justification for the use of live ammunition against unarmed members of the public.
The association has since called for full investigations into the matter.
Yesterday a state prosecutor and United Party for National Development (UPND) supporter were reportedly shot dead after the police attempted to disperse the crowd that went to offer solidarity to UPND leader when he appeared for questioning at the Police Headquarters.