Institutional flaws will mar Zambia anti-graft efforts

Significance

These allegations raise serious concerns about the efficacy of anti-corruption efforts and the possibility that high-level government corruption has been covered up.

Impacts

• Allegations of corruption among senior politicians will dent Zambia’s improved international reputation.
• Hichilema’s refusal to declare his assets publicly will fuel suspicions about the sources of his wealth.
• These events add credibility to claims that the government’s anti-corruption drive was used primarily to target political opponents.