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
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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
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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
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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