Political Leaders: Zambia

Leaders of Zambia
(Republic of Zambia)

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Look for biographies of the leaders (in Spanish) at CIDOB website.

Parties: MMD: Movement for Multiparty Democracy - PF: Patriotic Front - UNIP: United National Independence Party - UPND: United Party for National Development

Presidents of the Republic

Kenneth David Kaunda    24 Oct 1964 -  2 Nov 1991 (†2021) UNIP  
Frederick J. T. Chiluba  2 Nov 1991 -  2 Jan 2002 (†2011) MMD   
Levy Patrick Mwanawasa   2 Jan 2002 - 19 Aug 2008 (†2008) MMD   
Rupiah Bwezani Banda    29 Jun 2008 - 23 Sep 2011 (†2022) MMD (acting to 2 Nov 2008) [for Mwanawasa to 19 Aug])
Michael Chilufya Sata   23 Sep 2011 - 28 Oct 2014 (†2014) PF
Guy Lindsay Scott       29 Oct 2014 - 25 Jan 2015         PF (acting)
Edgar Chagwa Lungu      25 Jan 2015 - 24 Aug 2021 (†2025) PF
Hakainde Hichilema      24 Aug 2021 -                     UPND

Prime ministers

Kenneth David Kaunda    22 Jan 1964 - 24 Oct 1964 (†2021) UNIP 
Mainza Mathias Chona    25 Aug 1973 - 27 May 1975 (†2001) UNIP
Elijah Mudenda          27 May 1975 - 20 Jul 1977 (†2008) UNIP
Mainza Mathias Chona    20 Jul 1977 - 15 Jun 1978 (†2001) UNIP
Daniel Lisulo           15 Jun 1978 - 18 Feb 1981 (†2000) UNIP
Nalumino Mundia         18 Feb 1981 - 24 Apr 1985 (†1988) UNIP
Kebby Musokotwane       24 Apr 1985 - 15 Mar 1989 (†1996) UNIP
Malimba Masheke         15 Mar 1989 - 31 Aug 1991         UNIP

Vice Presidents of the Republic

Reuben Chitandika Kamanga 1964-1967 (†1996) UNIP
Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe     1967-1970 (†1980) UNIP
Mainza Mathias Chona      1970-1973 (†2001) UNIP
Levy Patrick Mwanawasa    1991-1994 (†2008) MMD 
Godfrey Miyanda           1994-1997         MMD
Christon Tembo            1997-2001 (†2009) MMD
Enoch Kavindele           2001-2003         MMD
Nevers Sekwila Mumba      2003-2004         MMD
Lupando Mwape             2004-2006 (†2019) MMD
Rupiah Bwezani Banda      2006-2008         MMD
George Kunda              2008-2011 (†2012) MMD
Guy Lindsay Scott         2011-2014         PF
Inonge Mutukwa Wina       2015-2021         PF
Mutale Nalumango          2021-             UPND

Chairmen of UNIP

Mainza Mathias Chona      1959-1960 (†2001) 
Kenneth David Kaunda      1960-2000 (†2021) 
Francis Nkhoma            2000-2001 (†2009)
Tilyenji Kaunda           2001-2021
Trevor Selwyn Mwamba      2021-

UNIP was founded in Oct 1959 as a successor of the banned Zambian African National Congress (ZANC).

Chairmen of MMD

Frederick J. T. Chiluba   1990-2002 (†2011)
Levy Patrick Mwanawasa    2002-2008 (†2008)
Michael Mulemi Mabenga    2008-2012 (†2021) (acting)
Nevers Sekwila Mumba      2012-

MMD was founded in Jul 1990.

Chairmen of PF

Michael Chilufya Sata     2001-2014 (†2014)
Edgar Chagwa Lungu        2014-2021 (†2025)         
  ** vacancy **           2021-2023
Miles Bwalya Sampa        2023-             (contested)

PF was founded in 2001 by splinters of MMD.

Chairmen of UPND

Anderson Kambela Mazoka   1998-2006 (†2006)
Hakainde Hichilema        2006-

UPND was founded in Dec 1998 by splinters of MMD.