Zambia: Use of National Security forces by President Kaunda and his family against their opponents
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1991 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZMB7678 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Zambia: Use of National Security forces by President Kaunda and his family against their opponents, 1 March 1991, ZMB7678, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac6a98.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
There are no reports currently available to the IRBDC specifically mentioning the use of national security forces in this context. However, there are reports which generally describe the use of these against opponents of the Kaunda government.
A report published in Le Devoir (14 November 1990), alleges that the police used tear gas to disperse a crowd of supporters of the opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MDD). The vice-president of the movement had reportedly been arrested earlier for holding an illegal meeting (Le Devoir, 18 octobre 1990).
According an article that appeared in the Globe and Mail (Weekly Press Summary for 5 June-5 July 1990), Dr. Kaunda's guards are alleged to have shot to death three civilians who had joined crowds of other civilians to celebrate President Kaunda's reported overthrow following an abortive coup d'Etat. The attempt followed wide-spread protests triggered by the government's increases of the price of corn, Zambia's staple diet (ibid). Protesters allegedly looted shops and President Kaunda reportedly promised "tough action against those responsible for the violence". The protests were reportedly led by students of the University of Zambia. The government responded by unleashing
troops and para-military police to the university campus (ibid, 28B). Many students were allegedly beaten, one killed and the university was then closed (ibid). The use of security forces to punish opponents of the government are corroborated by reports that appeared in Le Devoir (30 juin, 1990; 14 novembre 1990; 18 octobre, 1990). Further collaboration is provided by a report that appeared in The Times (4 July 1990). For full details please refer to the attached articles:
Attachments:
Le Devoir [Montreal]. 30 juin 1990. "Le calme est rétabli en Zambie".
Le Devoir [Montreal]. 14 novembre 1990. "Violence policière en Zambie".
Le Devoir [Montreal]. 18 octobre 1990. " Arrestation en Zambie".
Globe and Mail [Toronto]. 29 June-5 July 1990. "Zambia".
The Times [London]. 4 July 1990. "Rich Indian Rambos Policing Kaunda's Domain".
