VZCZCXYZ0010
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 
 
¶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