Zambia has issued a démarche, the highest form of diplomatic protest, against an outspoken French envoy that will see him leave the country, the foreign ministry confirmed on Monday.
Foreign Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha said the government has vehemently complained to the French government over a blatant breach of diplomatic etiquette by the ambassador and is waiting for a response from Paris.
Ambassador Francis Saudubray last Thursday issued a statement to local media saying Zambians must openly and freely debate President Levy Mwanawasa’s health and the implications it has on his performance as republican president.
Mwanawasa suffered a stroke in April and was evacuated to Britain for specialised medical treatment for more than a month. His physical condition after the stroke and his bid to run for a second, five-year term in the forthcoming 2006 tripartite elections have prompted concern in the country.
Shikapwasha said Saudubray’s conduct defied the norms and dictates of diplomacy, and that Zambia was left with no option but to complain to Paris. He said the move should serve as a warning to other ambassadors to abide by their roles as representatives of their nations.
Shikapwasha said the government has on several occasions called and censured Saudubray for his interference in Zambia’s internal affairs and undiplomatic conduct. But senior cadres from the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) have demanded Saudubray’s immediate expulsion from the country, saying he has gone too far.
The French envoy has been in Zambia for 13 months, and was given a final government warning last December when he told the task force on corruption to convict former president Frederick Chiluba for corruption and theft of public funds. He accused Chiluba of bribing court officials to delay his trial.
At the time, the government said it would have no choice but to declare Saudubray a ”persona non grata” if he repeated his ”undiplomatic” conduct.
Previously, he had picked an open quarrel with Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Dipak Patel over the country’s biggest fuel crisis involving French oil firm Total, and attacked opposition political parties and women’s groups. Saudubray maintains he was misquoted on all occasions. — Sapa-dpa