Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
09LUSAKA693 | 2009-10-07 15:15:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Lusaka |
VZCZCXRO4553 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHLS #0693 2801515 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 071515Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7329 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE |
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000693 |
1.
4 (b,d) 1. (U) Representatives from nine of 18 Zambian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) suspended their honking-and-whistling protest campaign (ref A) October 6 following a meeting with Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde. The CSOs further announced at a October 7 press conference that they would re-launch their anti-corruption effort October 14 as the "Freedom and Justice Campaign" to continue pressuring the GRZ to appeal former president Frederick Chiluba's corruption case. The CSOs publicly denied GRZ accusations that donor countries had sponsored their campaign (ref B) and vowed to continue their campaign "without breaking any law." 2. (C) Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) Director Elijah Rubvuta told PolOff October 7 that police first demanded, then pleaded with CSO representatives during their closed-door meeting to stop their weekly honking-and-whistling campaign. He said that police officials pressured CSOs to sign a joint communique to stop honking; however, CSOs resisted over concerns that their constituents needed to review it and provide input. The Post newspaper reported October 7 that the CSOs would only sign if police dropped charges unconditionally against nine arrested protesters (ref A). Rubvuta confirmed that CSO representatives had signed the communique October 7; Zambian police have not yet dropped charges against the nine arrestees. 3. (C) A copy of the communique provided by Rubvuta stated that: "The meeting has resolved that honking has been halted with immediate effect. Alternatively, both parties agreed to seek other legal options to air their grievances by holding public rallies and peaceful public demonstations as well as submitting petitions to relevant authorities and continue promoting dialogue with parties concerned. Further, police have been urged to exercise their functions and apply the law firmly and fairly as opposed to certain cases where police were found wanting in their application of law and order." 4. (C) COMMENT: Although Civil Society Organizations officially abandoned a symbolic form of protest without wringing tangible concessions from the GRZ, one of the organizers of the honking campaign assured EmbOffs that many protesters would continue to wear black, honk, car horns, and whistle every Friday evening. The GRZ can legally shut down any public rallies and demonstrations held without legal authorization, which requires seven days notice. Moreover, Rubvuta confirmed that GRZ officials refused to discuss an appeal of former president Chiluba's recent acquittal (ref C) and focused solely on silencing the CSOs' noisy protest campaign. The CSOs' announcement that they would re-launch their anti-corruption effort as the "Freedom and Justice Campaign" buys them some time to regroup and reconsider their legal and political options. However, their concession was a win for the GRZ and a setback to civil society's efforts to fight corruption and voice their dissent. END COMMENT. KOPLOVSKY |