Zambia bans political rallies, raises security alert
15 Dec 2006 14:26:29 GMT Source: Reuters
(Adds comment from analyst) By Shapi Shacinda LUSAKA, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Zambia banned political rallies and went on alert on Friday to deal with "threats" by opposition leader Michael Sata, the government's latest effort to gag the fiery populist who narrowly lost this year's presidential polls. Deputy Home Affairs Minister Chrispine Musosha told a news conference that Sata, who has accused President Levy Mwanawasa of rigging his re-election in September, had been "sabotaging" Zambia's security through alarming statements at his rallies. "The police permits (for political rallies) are not going to be issued until further notice. We can no longer allow people to disturb the peace of the country," Musosha said. Even with the election over, Sata draws huge crowds to rallies where he accuses Mwanawasa of selling Zambia to Chinese and Indian companies and vows to push his populist agenda in local governments controlled by his party. Sata's Patriotic Front (PF) said it would take the political ban to court. "It's only in a state of emergency when the law allows the president to ban political activity," said PF national Secretary Guy Scott, a close Sata ally. "We want our rights to be respected, and some deputy minister cannot ban our meetings." Sata was briefly detained early this month for an alleged violation of electoral rules, and Mwanawasa said last week that he was on the verge of treason. Musosha said the government would tolerate no more. "We have realised that there is a need to protect this country. If Mr Sata is asking for a whip to crack, it is going to crack," Musosha said, adding that police would deal firmly with anyone compromising the security of Zambia. "We will not allow political sabotage and any threats to peace," he said. Sata said his Dec. 6 arrest was politically motivated, and the charges were later dropped. "RINGING BELLS" Sata, 69, has accused Mwanawasa of betraying the poor and promised to throw out Chinese and Indian investors in the key mining sector after accusing them of exploiting workers and paying too little tax. Although Sata lost the presidential election, his Patriotic Front won local elections in the capital Lusaka and towns in the Copperbelt mining hub, the life-blood of Zambia's economy. It has vowed to pursue its own agenda in its strongholds, including imposing an independent tax regime. State-run media reported on Friday that Sata had directed councillors in Lusaka to repossess two large markets where Chinese traders operate in order to hand the stalls to Zambians. Chief government spokesman Brian Chituwo was quoted as saying the move would be illegal. The Chinese have been granted 65-year leases to operate the markets, which were constructed by Chinese firms. Chileshe Mulenga, the head of the Institute for Economic and Social Research, a Lusaka think-tank, said the government was failing to uphold democratic governance by banning rallies. "This will heighten tension and they are ringing bells," he told Reuters. "The government has become intolerant even when there is no danger to security posed by Mr Sata. ... The best thing they could do if they are ready to uphold democracy is to ignore him."
