United National Independence Party
Encyclopedia
The United National Independence Party (UNIP) is a political party
in Zambia
. It governed that country from 1964 to 1991 under the presidency
of Kenneth Kaunda
.
The party was founded in October 1959 and was initially led by Mainza Chona
. On January 1960, Kaunda was released from prison and assumed leadership over the party. UNIP won the pre-independence elections, and formed the first government of Zambia in 1964. The constitution
was altered and promulgated in August 25, 1973, and the national elections that followed in December 1973 were the final steps in achieving what was called a "one-party participatory democracy." National policy was formulated by the Central Committee of UNIP, which had become the sole legal party in Zambia
. The constitution stipulated that the sole candidate in elections for the office of president
was the person selected to be the president of UNIP by the party's general conference. The second-ranking person in the Zambian hierarchy was UNIP's secretary general.
Kenneth Kaunda was the sole candidate, and was elected president in the 1973 elections. Elections also were held for the National Assembly
. Only UNIP members were permitted to run, but these seats were sharply contested. President Kaunda's mandate was renewed in December 1978 and October 1983 in a "yes" or "no" vote on his candidacy. In the 1983 election, more than 60% of those registered participated and 93% gave President Kaunda a "yes" vote.
In December 1990, at the end of a tumultuous year that included riots in the capital and a coup attempt, President Kaunda signed legislation ending UNIP's monopoly on power. The changed constitution allowed for more than one presidential candidate who no longer had to be a member of UNIP.
It lost power to Frederick Chiluba
of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy
(MMD) in 1991. In the intervening years, UNIP has become increasingly marginalized as a party in Zambia. This is due in part to UNIP's boycott of the 1996 elections, called in protest of a constitutional amendment that was passed to bar former president and party head, Kenneth Kaunda from running in the Presidential election. The consequent election resulted in an absolute majority for MMD in parliament, and the virtual exclusion of UNIP from government for five years.
At the legislative elections
on 27 December 2001, the party won 10.4 % of popular votes and 13 out of 150 seats in parliament. Its candidate at the presidential elections, Tilyenji Kaunda
(son of Kenneth), on the same day won 10.1 %.
UNIP was briefly led by Francis Nkhoma
but he was replaced by Tilyenji Kaunda
. UNIP joined an alliance with the United Party for National Development
and the Forum for Democracy and Development
. On 2 August 2006, the alliance chose newcomer former Grant Thornton partner/managing director Hakainde Hichilema
of the UPND as its presidential candidate, relegating UNIP to play a background role in the 2006 election.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
. It governed that country from 1964 to 1991 under the presidency
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of Kenneth Kaunda
Kenneth Kaunda
Kenneth David Kaunda, known as KK, served as the first President of Zambia, from 1964 to 1991.-Early life:Kaunda was the youngest of eight children. He was born at Lubwa Mission in Chinsali, Northern Province of Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia...
.
The party was founded in October 1959 and was initially led by Mainza Chona
Mainza Chona
Mainza Mathias Chona served as Prime Minister of Zambia on two occasions: 25 August 1973 to 27 May 1975 and 20 July 1977 to 15 June 1978. He also held various government positions, including Justice Minister , Home Affairs Minister and Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney-General...
. On January 1960, Kaunda was released from prison and assumed leadership over the party. UNIP won the pre-independence elections, and formed the first government of Zambia in 1964. The constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
was altered and promulgated in August 25, 1973, and the national elections that followed in December 1973 were the final steps in achieving what was called a "one-party participatory democracy." National policy was formulated by the Central Committee of UNIP, which had become the sole legal party in Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
. The constitution stipulated that the sole candidate in elections for the office of president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
was the person selected to be the president of UNIP by the party's general conference. The second-ranking person in the Zambian hierarchy was UNIP's secretary general.
Kenneth Kaunda was the sole candidate, and was elected president in the 1973 elections. Elections also were held for the National Assembly
National Assembly of Zambia
The unicameral National Assembly of Zambia is the country's legislative body.The current National Assembly, formed following elections held on 20 September 2011, has a total of 156 members . 150 members are directly elected in single-member constituencies using the simple majority system...
. Only UNIP members were permitted to run, but these seats were sharply contested. President Kaunda's mandate was renewed in December 1978 and October 1983 in a "yes" or "no" vote on his candidacy. In the 1983 election, more than 60% of those registered participated and 93% gave President Kaunda a "yes" vote.
In December 1990, at the end of a tumultuous year that included riots in the capital and a coup attempt, President Kaunda signed legislation ending UNIP's monopoly on power. The changed constitution allowed for more than one presidential candidate who no longer had to be a member of UNIP.
It lost power to Frederick Chiluba
Frederick Chiluba
Frederick Jacob Titus Chiluba was a Zambian politician who was the second President of Zambia from 1991 to 2002. Chiluba, a trade union leader, won the country's multi-party presidential election in 1991 as the candidate of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy , defeating long-time President...
of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy
Movement for Multiparty Democracy
The Movement for Multi-party Democracy is a political party in Zambia. Originally formed to oust the previous government, MMD controlled an absolute majority in parliament between 1991 and 2001, when its past leader, Frederick Chiluba was president of the country...
(MMD) in 1991. In the intervening years, UNIP has become increasingly marginalized as a party in Zambia. This is due in part to UNIP's boycott of the 1996 elections, called in protest of a constitutional amendment that was passed to bar former president and party head, Kenneth Kaunda from running in the Presidential election. The consequent election resulted in an absolute majority for MMD in parliament, and the virtual exclusion of UNIP from government for five years.
At the legislative elections
Elections in Zambia
Zambia elects on national level a head of state - the president - and a legislature. The president is elected for a five year term by the people...
on 27 December 2001, the party won 10.4 % of popular votes and 13 out of 150 seats in parliament. Its candidate at the presidential elections, Tilyenji Kaunda
Tilyenji Kaunda
Tilyenji Kaunda is a Zambian politician who is currently the President of the United National Independence Party . He became party leader in 2001, succeeding Francis Nkhoma. His father, former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, was the President of UNIP from 1960 to 2000.Kaunda stood as a candidate...
(son of Kenneth), on the same day won 10.1 %.
UNIP was briefly led by Francis Nkhoma
Francis Nkhoma
Francis Nkhoma was a Zambian politician and the former governor of the Bank of Zambia. He briefly served as the President of the United National Independence Party.-References:...
but he was replaced by Tilyenji Kaunda
Tilyenji Kaunda
Tilyenji Kaunda is a Zambian politician who is currently the President of the United National Independence Party . He became party leader in 2001, succeeding Francis Nkhoma. His father, former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, was the President of UNIP from 1960 to 2000.Kaunda stood as a candidate...
. UNIP joined an alliance with the United Party for National Development
United Party for National Development
The United Party for National Development is a liberal political party in Zambia.At the 2001 legislative elections, held on 27 December 2001, the party won 23.3% of popular votes and 49 out of 159 seats...
and the Forum for Democracy and Development
Forum for Democracy and Development
The Forum for Democracy and Development is a political party in Zambia.The FDD was founded in 2001 by former members of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy , disaffected by Frederick Chiluba's efforts to change the constitution to allow him to stand for a third term...
. On 2 August 2006, the alliance chose newcomer former Grant Thornton partner/managing director Hakainde Hichilema
Hakainde Hichilema
Hakainde Hichilema is a Zambian politician and the President of the United Party for National Development . He replaced Anderson Mazoka after an interparty election, organized by functioning party president Sakwiba Sikota, which followed Mazoka's death in May 2006...
of the UPND as its presidential candidate, relegating UNIP to play a background role in the 2006 election.