Zambia’s opposition on Friday decided against defying a police ban and called off a planned protest over severe fuel shortages that have disrupted transport and mining operations in the Southern African country.
”We cancelled the demonstrations after we received information that the police had planned to beat up innocent people at the demonstration,” said Bob Sichinga, a vice-president of the opposition United Party for National Development.
Police banned the demonstration due to fears that it could turn violent and riot police were early on Friday deployed to key areas of Lusaka, but there were no sign of protesters.
”We are looking at several options, including getting a court order to compel the police to allow the protest. This is suppression, which we can’t allow,” said Sichinga.
Zambians have been stranded across the country for the past week as public transporters have run out of fuel while prices of the national staple cornmeal have skyrocketed.
Long lines of motorists can be seen outside petrol stations, with many spending the night at the wheel awaiting deliveries.
President Levy Mwanawasa on Thursday had urged the opposition not to go ahead with the protest, saying: ”We are doing everything possible to address the fuel shortages.”
The crisis was triggered after the country’s only oil refinery, Indeni, was forced to shut down due to maintenance work that took longer than expected.
Production at copper mines, which are the backbone of the economy, has also been scaled down. — Sapa-AFP