View source for 1997 coup d'état attempt

{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict    = 1997 Zambian coup d'état attempt
| width       = 200px
| partof      = 
| image       = File:Location Zambia AU Africa.svg
| caption     = 
| date        = October 28, 1997
| place       = [[Zambia]]
| coordinates = 
| map_type    = 
| map_relief  = 
| latitude    = 
| longitude   = 
| map_size    = 
| map_marksize = 
| map_caption = 
| map_label   = 
| territory   = 
| result      = Coup fails<br>
* [[Frederick Chiluba]] remains in power
| status      = 
| combatants_header = 
| combatant1  = {{flagicon|Zambia}} [[Government of Zambia]]
| combatant2  = Pro-[[Steven Lungu]] faction
| combatant3  = 
| commander1  = 
| commander2  = 
| commander3  = 
| units1      =
| units2      = 
| units3      = 
| strength1   = 
| strength2   = 
| strength3   = 
| casualties1 = 
| casualties2 = 
| casualties3 = 
| notes       = 
| campaignbox = 
}}

The '''1997 coup d'état attempt''' was a military coup d'état attempt that took place in [[Zambia]] on 28 October 1997. The coup lasted no more than 3 hours and took place between 6 and 9 A.M. when the coup's leader, Captain Solo ([[Steven Lungu]]),<ref>http://www.lusakatimes.com/2012/08/12/captain-solo-dies/</ref> announced via the national radio station ([[Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation]]) that a coup had taken place and that the then President, [[Frederick Chiluba]], needed to step down.<ref>New York Times, Zambia Says a Coup Is Over In 3 Hours, Without Injury, By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr., Published: October 29, 1997, http://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/29/world/zambia-says-a-coup-is-over-in-3-hours-without-injury.html</ref>

Some international media organizations could not resist joking about the "aptly named" coup leader (''Solo'') whose demand that the President resign could be heard accompanied by laughter from radio journalists who were in the radio station at the time of the coup attempt. Captain Solo would spend the next 13 years in prison for committing treason and was released only when it became clear that he was terminally ill.<ref>http://www.independent.ie/world-news/captain-solos-angelinspired-zambian-coup-ends-in-giggle-26202961.html</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:1997 in Zambia|Coup]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1997|Zambia]]
[[Category:Military coups in Zambia]]