By AFPMore by this AuthorLUSAKAZambia's parliament on Tuesday approved a 90-day state of emergency decreed by President Edgar Lungu, a move that critics see as an effort to tighten his grip on power. Opposition lawmakers boycotted the vote by leaving the chamber, leaving only the 85 members of the president's majority party to pass the measure. He denied any intention of creating a dictatorship in Zambia — until recently a relatively stable country — and accused his rivals of trying to overturn last year's election results. Related Content Zambian president declares state of emergencyHis party's 48 lawmakers have been suspended by parliament after they boycotted an address by Lungu in March. Home Affairs minister Stephen Kampyongo said Tuesday that the government would soon arrest the perpetrators of the fires.

Source: Daily Nation July 11, 2017 19:52 UTC