Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LUSAKA924
2009-12-07 09:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:
PRESIDENT BANDA DOES THE SUB-CABINET SHUFFLE
how-toVZCZCXRO9287 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHLS #0924 3410908 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 070908Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7491 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000924
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/S JNAMDE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2014
TAGS: PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT BANDA DOES THE SUB-CABINET SHUFFLE
REF: A. LUSAKA 730
B. LUSAKA 868
C. LUSAKA 911
Classified By: Ambassador Donald E. Booth for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LUSAKA 000924
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/S JNAMDE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2014
TAGS: PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT BANDA DOES THE SUB-CABINET SHUFFLE
REF: A. LUSAKA 730
B. LUSAKA 868
C. LUSAKA 911
Classified By: Ambassador Donald E. Booth for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) On November 26, President Banda replaced or
reassigned 29 deputy ministers and permanent secretaries,
sparking criticism that he is engaging in "tribalism" by
appointing friends and allies to key sub-cabinet positions.
Banda drew heat for naming long-time personal friend Sherry
Thole permanent secretary in the Ministry of Science,
Technology and Vocational Training and for appointing
Eustarckio Kazonga of his home Eastern Province the Minister
of Local Government and Housing, a job traditionally reserved
for an official from North Western Province. Critics also
accused Banda of choosing two officials from Western province
to placate the Barotse Royal Establishment, which represents
the Western-based Lozi indigenous group. Banda appears to
have made changes to his government to prepare for the 2011
presidential election. The newly appointed officials hailed
from seven of nine provinces. Twenty of the 29 appointees
came from provinces Banda carried in the 2008 by-election.
2. (C) COMMENT: It appears that on the heels of two
by-election losses (refs A and B),Banda named officials from
MMD strongholds to help shore up his support in areas where
the MMD has traditionally been strong. The officials also
appear to be Banda loyalists who can solidify his personal
control within the party in the lead up to the 2011 elections
and help push his agenda from the sub-cabinet level (ref C).
END COMMENT.
BOOTH
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AF/S JNAMDE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2014
TAGS: PGOV ZA
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT BANDA DOES THE SUB-CABINET SHUFFLE
REF: A. LUSAKA 730
B. LUSAKA 868
C. LUSAKA 911
Classified By: Ambassador Donald E. Booth for reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (C) On November 26, President Banda replaced or
reassigned 29 deputy ministers and permanent secretaries,
sparking criticism that he is engaging in "tribalism" by
appointing friends and allies to key sub-cabinet positions.
Banda drew heat for naming long-time personal friend Sherry
Thole permanent secretary in the Ministry of Science,
Technology and Vocational Training and for appointing
Eustarckio Kazonga of his home Eastern Province the Minister
of Local Government and Housing, a job traditionally reserved
for an official from North Western Province. Critics also
accused Banda of choosing two officials from Western province
to placate the Barotse Royal Establishment, which represents
the Western-based Lozi indigenous group. Banda appears to
have made changes to his government to prepare for the 2011
presidential election. The newly appointed officials hailed
from seven of nine provinces. Twenty of the 29 appointees
came from provinces Banda carried in the 2008 by-election.
2. (C) COMMENT: It appears that on the heels of two
by-election losses (refs A and B),Banda named officials from
MMD strongholds to help shore up his support in areas where
the MMD has traditionally been strong. The officials also
appear to be Banda loyalists who can solidify his personal
control within the party in the lead up to the 2011 elections
and help push his agenda from the sub-cabinet level (ref C).
END COMMENT.
BOOTH