Zambian Cabinet Ministers Urge Acting President Scott to Resign

A majority of Zambias cabinet ministers have signed a statement urging acting President Guy Scott to resign, and calling for a meeting of ministers to discuss his replacement.

We urge Scott to immediately resign from his position as acting republican president on moral grounds, Harry Kalaba, foreign affairs minister, said as he read out a statement signed by 14 cabinet members.

The ministers said they have no confidence in Scotts leadership, casting further doubt on prospects for a smooth power transition after President Michael Sata died in October. A power struggle in the ruling Patriotic Front over who takes over from Sata culminated in Scott being removed as the partys vice president late yesterday.

As cabinet ministers, we have decided to express a clear vote of no confidence in his leadership and his ability to carry out the remaining duration of the transition, Kalaba said. There is need for cabinet to convene with due immediacy to discuss the replacement of Scott as acting president.

Scott took over from Sata, but isnt contesting the presidential elections next month. The PF has split into groups backing Justice and Defense minister Edgar Lungu as the partys leader and another preferring Miles Sampa, the deputy commerce minister. Sampa has challenged Lungus nomination, with the Supreme Court on Dec. 15 referring the case back to the Lusaka High Court, where a hearing is set for tomorrow.

Scott fired Lungu as PF secretary-general in November before reinstating him a day later after street protests broke out.

To contact the reporter on this story: Matthew Hill in Lusaka at mhill58@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Antony Sguazzin at asguazzin@bloomberg.net John Viljoen

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Zambian Cabinet Ministers Urge Acting President Scott to Resign