Kaunda Sees Riot Area as Zambians Urge Him to Quit

Thousands of people watched quietly Thursday as President Kenneth D. Kaunda toured central Lusaka after food riots that killed at least 24 people, but elsewhere in the Zambian capital students held a noisy demonstration calling on him to resign.

Kaunda, facing the worst crisis of his 26-year rule, inspected the central shopping district where goods worth thousands of dollars were looted in three days of rioting.

“Zambia will not allow itself to be ruled by thuggery,” the 66-year-old leader said.

Zambians outraged by a doubled price for cornmeal, the staple food, went on a rampage Monday and Tuesday, looting shops and demanding a multi-party system.

Hospital sources say about 150 people were injured, mostly by gunfire, but Western diplomats said the toll was probably higher.

Kaunda, who has blamed the riots on political opponents seeking to overthrow him, said that he will announce today the dates of a referendum on introducing multi-party rule, which he opposes. “The party program is still on track,” he added. He had promised in May that a referendum would be held, but set no date.