Dell wondered whether NCA and MDC could get more people on the streets

Former United States ambassador to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell said although the National Constitutional Assembly and the Movement for Democratic Change had announced plans to stage more public protests it remained to be seen whether they could get large numbers of people into the streets as they had done from 2000 to 2002.

This was after Lovemore Madhuku of the NCA had told embassy officials that his organisation planned more demonstrations to protest the creation of the Senate.

Madhuku said the NCA had identified a core group of 150-200 people to begin the demonstration in each of the main cities- Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Masvingo and Gweru.

Full cable:

Viewing cable 05HARARE1509, NCA PLANS DEMONSTRATIONS FOR NOV 5

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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L HARARE 001509

SIPDIS

AF/S FOR B. NEULING

NSC FOR SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR C. COURVILLE

DS FOR DS/IP/AF AND DS/IP/ITA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/31/2015

TAGS: PGOV PHUM ASEC ZI

SUBJECT: NCA PLANS DEMONSTRATIONS FOR NOV 5

Classified By: Ambassador Christopher Dell for reasons 1.5 b/d

¶1. (C) On November 3, National Constitutional Assembly (NCA)

Chairperson, Lovemore Mudhuku told poloff that the NCA was

planning a series of demonstrations around the country to

protest the creation of the Senate and to call for a new

constitution. The demonstrations were to take place

simultaneously around mid-day on Saturday, November 5, in

Zimbabwe,s main cities: Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Masvingo,

and Gweru. Madhuku said NCA had identified a core group of

150-200 people to begin the demonstration in each city. The

NCA planned to spread word of the demonstrations in advance

and, given the extent of popular dissatisfaction with the

government, hoped large numbers of other demonstrators would

join the core groups.

¶2. (C) Comment: The NCA and MDC both have told us recently

that they are working together on a strategy to confront the

regime, including street protests. While the NCA remains one

of the most active NGOs and one of a tiny group willing to

stage public protests against the GOZ,s policies, it remains

to be seen whether they, and for that matter the MDC, can

once more get large numbers of people into the streets as

they did from 2000-2002. End Comment.

DELL

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