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Zambia, Africa's
second biggest copper producer, has seen its kwacha currency
tumble nearly 50 percent against the dollar this year, driving
up food prices.
Responding to an appeal from President Edgar Lungu, churches
across the southern African nation conducted prayer services.
All Sunday soccer matches were postponed and bars and
restaurants were encouraged to close in a bid to encourage more
Zambians to join the prayer gatherings.
"I personally believe that since we humbled ourselves and cried
out to God, the Lord has heard our cry," Lungu said in an
address on Sunday. "I appeal to all of you to do your best and
leave the rest to God."
Its 1996 constitution designates Zambia officially as a
Christian nation.
Its economic woes have also caused power shortages.
"The shortage of electricity has affected all of us. Companies
are scaling down production and laying off workers," Catholic
priest Michael Mawelera said during Sunday mass at Good Shepherd
Kabwata parish in the capital Lusaka.
"Prices of essential commodities have risen because of the
depreciation of the kwacha. We need to seek God's hand," he
said.
Zambia's economy is expected to grow by less than 5 percent this
year, down from an earlier projection of around 6 percent,
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda told Reuters last month..
(Reporting by Chris Mfula; Editing by Gareth Jones)
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