Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MBABANE274
2009-10-13 14:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Mbabane
Cable title:
King Appoints Political Party Leader to Senior Advisory
how-toVZCZCXYZ0010 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHMB #0274 2861428 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 131428Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY MBABANE TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3733
UNCLAS MBABANE 000274
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S (MHARRIS),DRL (NWILETT)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM WZ
SUBJECT: King Appoints Political Party Leader to Senior Advisory
Council
UNCLAS MBABANE 000274
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S (MHARRIS),DRL (NWILETT)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM WZ
SUBJECT: King Appoints Political Party Leader to Senior Advisory
Council
1. SUMMARY: On September 21, Obed Dlamini, most senior member of
the executive committee of the legally unrecognized Ngwane National
Liberatory Congress (NNLC) "opposition" political party, took his
seat on the Swaziland National Council (Liqoqo),the king's advisory
council and one of the most powerful political bodies in the
country. The king appointed Dlamini, who served as prime minister
for Swaziland from 1989 to 1993, to the Liqoqo. NNLC leadership
stated that its former leader had betrayed its cause by crossing
sides, and expelled him from the party. Dlamini stated he could
address issues of democracy and governance from within the Liqoqo
and presented his vision for change. Opinions differed on whether
the appointment indicated that the king was using appointments to
co-opt opposition, whether the selection reflected a desire by the
king to be more inclusive, or whether the king was using the
appointment to placate criticism by appearing to embrace a
progressive leader. END SUMMARY.
2. On September 21, Obed Dlamini, senior leader of the executive
committee of the "opposition" political party Ngwane National
Liberatory Congress (NNLC),took a seat on the Swaziland National
Council (Liqoqo),the king's advisory council and one of the most
powerful political bodies in the country. Although political
parties exist in Swaziland, they were outlawed in 1973 with the
suspension of constitutional law, and are not specifically addressed
in the new constitution that went into effect in 2006. The
constitution does say, however, that candidates for office must run
as individuals (not as party members). Appointed to the Liqoqo by
the king, Dlamini had served as prime minister for Swaziland from
1989 to 1993, a period remembered as calm and reasonable. NNLC
leadership stated that its former leader betrayed its cause by
crossing sides, and expelled him from the party. Other NNLC members
have remarked in the press that they believe this decision was a
mistake.
3. In a meeting with PolOff, Dlamini indicated he was not certain
himself why the king selected him at this time, but said his own
views on democracy, labor, and political parties were well known.
He stated he wanted to work with other progressive members of the
Liqoqo to encourage dialogue and move Swaziland towards a
pluralistic democracy. Recognizing the strong support for the
monarchy among much of the populace, he stated that the first step
would be for Swazis to realize there is a need for political change,
and that such change can be beneficial for all without dissolving
the monarchy. He believes that repealing the 2008 Suppression of
Terrorism Act and "unbanning" political parties would be a basis to
motivate discussions among all stakeholders on the future of
Swaziland. Building off of the constitution as a "working
document," or work in progress, he believes negotiations among
political parties, civil society, and government need to result in
political change and advancement of a multi-party constitutional
monarchy. Mr. Dlamini stated he wanted the Embassy to encourage the
progressive movement in Swaziland, and looked forward to speaking
further with Embassy officers on how to best do so.
4. Opinions differed whether the appointment indicated that the
king was using appointments to co-opt opposition, whether the
selection reflected a desire by the king to be more inclusive, or
whether the king was using the appointment to placate criticism by
appearing to embrace a progressive leader. Although some in civil
society, including those in Dlamini's former party, have called the
move "selling out," others see the value of having a progressive
leader participate in the Liqoqo and serve as a conduit of
information and opinion.
5. COMMENT: Although the king's motives remain unclear, Obed
Dlamini's appointment does provide progressives a window into the
"inner sanctum" of royal power, as well as a platform for Dlamini's
stated goals of a Swazi multi-party democracy. His royal lineage,
strong labor movement involvement, and experience in negotiations
and government could provide an opportunity to bridge the gap
between progressive and traditional leaders. END COMMENT.
MORRISON
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/S (MHARRIS),DRL (NWILETT)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM WZ
SUBJECT: King Appoints Political Party Leader to Senior Advisory
Council
1. SUMMARY: On September 21, Obed Dlamini, most senior member of
the executive committee of the legally unrecognized Ngwane National
Liberatory Congress (NNLC) "opposition" political party, took his
seat on the Swaziland National Council (Liqoqo),the king's advisory
council and one of the most powerful political bodies in the
country. The king appointed Dlamini, who served as prime minister
for Swaziland from 1989 to 1993, to the Liqoqo. NNLC leadership
stated that its former leader had betrayed its cause by crossing
sides, and expelled him from the party. Dlamini stated he could
address issues of democracy and governance from within the Liqoqo
and presented his vision for change. Opinions differed on whether
the appointment indicated that the king was using appointments to
co-opt opposition, whether the selection reflected a desire by the
king to be more inclusive, or whether the king was using the
appointment to placate criticism by appearing to embrace a
progressive leader. END SUMMARY.
2. On September 21, Obed Dlamini, senior leader of the executive
committee of the "opposition" political party Ngwane National
Liberatory Congress (NNLC),took a seat on the Swaziland National
Council (Liqoqo),the king's advisory council and one of the most
powerful political bodies in the country. Although political
parties exist in Swaziland, they were outlawed in 1973 with the
suspension of constitutional law, and are not specifically addressed
in the new constitution that went into effect in 2006. The
constitution does say, however, that candidates for office must run
as individuals (not as party members). Appointed to the Liqoqo by
the king, Dlamini had served as prime minister for Swaziland from
1989 to 1993, a period remembered as calm and reasonable. NNLC
leadership stated that its former leader betrayed its cause by
crossing sides, and expelled him from the party. Other NNLC members
have remarked in the press that they believe this decision was a
mistake.
3. In a meeting with PolOff, Dlamini indicated he was not certain
himself why the king selected him at this time, but said his own
views on democracy, labor, and political parties were well known.
He stated he wanted to work with other progressive members of the
Liqoqo to encourage dialogue and move Swaziland towards a
pluralistic democracy. Recognizing the strong support for the
monarchy among much of the populace, he stated that the first step
would be for Swazis to realize there is a need for political change,
and that such change can be beneficial for all without dissolving
the monarchy. He believes that repealing the 2008 Suppression of
Terrorism Act and "unbanning" political parties would be a basis to
motivate discussions among all stakeholders on the future of
Swaziland. Building off of the constitution as a "working
document," or work in progress, he believes negotiations among
political parties, civil society, and government need to result in
political change and advancement of a multi-party constitutional
monarchy. Mr. Dlamini stated he wanted the Embassy to encourage the
progressive movement in Swaziland, and looked forward to speaking
further with Embassy officers on how to best do so.
4. Opinions differed whether the appointment indicated that the
king was using appointments to co-opt opposition, whether the
selection reflected a desire by the king to be more inclusive, or
whether the king was using the appointment to placate criticism by
appearing to embrace a progressive leader. Although some in civil
society, including those in Dlamini's former party, have called the
move "selling out," others see the value of having a progressive
leader participate in the Liqoqo and serve as a conduit of
information and opinion.
5. COMMENT: Although the king's motives remain unclear, Obed
Dlamini's appointment does provide progressives a window into the
"inner sanctum" of royal power, as well as a platform for Dlamini's
stated goals of a Swazi multi-party democracy. His royal lineage,
strong labor movement involvement, and experience in negotiations
and government could provide an opportunity to bridge the gap
between progressive and traditional leaders. END COMMENT.
MORRISON