NAMIBIA "CONCERNED" ABOUT ZIMBABWE, NOT READY TO MAKE PUBLIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L WINDHOEK 000095 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/07/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KDEM ZI WA SUBJECT: NAMIBIA "CONCERNED" ABOUT ZIMBABWE, NOT READY TO MAKE PUBLIC STATEMENT REF: Windhoek 89 Classified by Ambassador Dennise Mathieu, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Foreign Minister Hausiku told the Ambassador on March 7 that Namibia was "concerned" by the situation in Zimbabwe, but would not issue a public statement in the absence of declared results by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). The Ambassador urged the GRN to encourage all parties in Zimbabwe to refrain from violence and ensure an electoral process that abided by the rule of law. Hausiku confirmed that Namibia was encouraging a peaceful process and opined that SADC should press the ZEC to announce the results of the polling. End summary. "Concern" and Puzzlement at Delays -------------- ¶2. (C) During an April 7 meeting with Foreign Minister Marco Hausiku, the Ambassador urged the GRN to publicly -- or at a minimum in private discussions -- call on Zimbabwean officials to release electoral results and for all parties to refrain from intimidation and violence in this tense electoral process. ¶3. (C) Hausiku repeated several times that Namibia was "concerned" with the situation in Zimbabwe and was actively engaged in internal discussions. He explained that the GRN was happy "with the process that led up to the elections and the voting itself," and "satisfied that all parties had the ability to go to voters and campaign." Such fairness and access, he continued, "binds the participants to the results," which is why Namibia was disappointed by the delay in the issuance of the presidential vote tabulation. ¶4. (C) Namibia felt "handicapped by the silence of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission," said Hausiku. Although Namibia wished the results would have been publicized at this point, Hausiku said his government would not make a public statement "in the absence of information" from the ZEC. He opined that SADC should press the ZEC to announce results, or explain why it has not issued the results in a timely fashion. Hausiku affirmed that Namibia was in contact with SADC leaders and that Namibia was privately urging all parties to follow the rule of law and reject violence, including in a potential run-off, which should occur within the prescribed 21 days. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) Given Namibia's liberation struggle bonds with President Mugabe and Zimbabwe, the GRN is likely to remain publicly very quiet on the issue of Zimbabwean elections and potential change. That said, Hausiku's acknowledgement that the GRN was concerned by both the delay in the announcement of the results and the potential explosive situation appears to be a slight Namibian policy shift away from unconditional support for Mugabe. Separately, the UK High Commissioner to Namibia informed us today that UK Minister for Africa Mark Malloch Brown is considering calling President Pohamba to urge Namibia to engage Zimbabwean leaders. We will report any further developments that may indicate a Namibian policy shift. End comment. Meeting Participants -------------- ¶6. (U) Hausiku included in the meeting all his senior staff members: Permanent Secretary Ambassador Veiccoh Ngihwete, Deputy PS Ambassador Hinyangerwa Asheeke, Head of Multilateral Affairs Ambassador Martin Andjanba, Head of Bilateral Affairs Ambassador Wilbard Helao, Deputy Director for Bilateral Affairs Jerobeam Shaanika, and U.S. Desk Officer Morina Muujondjo. Poloff attended as notetaker. MATHIEU