MASERU EAC CONVENES IN RESPONSE TO TRANSPORT CLASHES

C O N F I D E N T I A L MASERU 000159

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/ODAC, S/CT, D, P, M, INR,
CA, AF/S; GABORONE FOR RSO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 5/30/2018
TAGS: ASEC PGOV CASC LT
SUBJECT: MASERU EAC CONVENES IN RESPONSE TO TRANSPORT CLASHES

REF: A) MASERU 158; B) MASERU 155; AND C) MASERU 144

CLASSIFIED BY: Christopher M. Smith, P/DEP Officer, P/DEP,
Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)

1. (SBU) Charge convened the EAC on May 30 to consider Embassy
Maseru's security posture and threat levels in light of recent
violent clashes among police and individuals protesting the
GOL's use of buses for public transportation (refs A and B).
Representatives of all mission sections and agencies were in
attendance (including MCC, Peace Corps, CDC, PEPFAR, CONS, A/MO,
and P/DEP). Prior to the meeting, on May 29, the Post Security
Office issued a security notice to all Mission personnel which
informed employees of recent security-related events and advised
strict adherence to Mission security policies already in place.
The Consular section also issued a warden message with similar
information to all registered U.S. citizens.


2. (U) On the morning of May 29, groups of individuals blocked
taxis and government buses in several neighborhoods of Maseru
from picking up or transporting passengers. According to
eyewitnesses, some members of these protest groups, apparently
in an effort to provide as hoc support to taxi operators in an
ongoing dispute (ref B),threw rocks, blocked roads, and
forcibly removed passengers from vehicles. These actions led to
a confrontation between protesters and police along a major
transportation route into the capital. Shots were fired at the
scene, and in several other neighborhoods. There were reports
that some vehicles were damaged. A local press report indicated
that several injured bus passengers were transported to Maseru's
primary hospital. These events led to a de facto taxi strike
during the course of May 29 which disrupted public transport.
The previous day, May 28, a confrontation between taxi operators
and security personnel guarding a government-operated bus in a
Maseru suburb resulted in the shooting and serious injury of one
of the protesters.


3. (C) These recent events come in the context of attacks by
unknown gunmen with unknown motives against Lesotho police and
military targets several weeks ago, which led the EAC to convene
on May 16 (ref C).


4. (C) The EAC concluded that while the current situation does
not warrant a change in post's already heightened general
security posture, a review of contingency plans for a possible
worsened situation over the coming week was in order. The
leading taxi association has threatened to implement a
nationwide strike o/a June 3. In the past, such strikes have
severely disrupted transportation and spurred violence. The EAC
approved a contingency planning memo presented by A/MO
recommending heightened vigilance, an updated local staff phone
tree, an increased emphasis on the use of radios by mission
staff, and a liberal leave policy for nonessential staff should
a strike or other action severely disrupt transportation or pose
security risks for commuting. The EAC concluded that while
country clearance procedures should not be changed, visitors
should be given a pre-arrival security briefing, delay travel
when possible over the next three days, and be instructed to
check with Embassy security staff before boarding their final
flight to Maseru for an assessment on latest conditions. Peace
Corps management has instructed volunteers not to travel to
Maseru, and volunteers already in Maseru will be under curfew
during evening hours.


5. (SBU) EAC members concurred that there are no signs of
threats directed specifically at USG interests or U.S. citizens
and that existing post security policies and actions taken
(including issuance of a U.S. citizen warden notice and Mission
security notice and a review of emergency procedures) are
appropriate. Although no Amcits or Embassy employees have
reported violence directly affecting them, several have reported
arriving at the scene of a confrontation and/or angry mobs.

MURPHY