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Zambia on alert to end protests Zambian U-turn on protests ban
(about 17 hours later)
The Zambian authorities have banned all political gatherings and put the country on high alert. The Zambian government has withdrawn a ban on all political gatherings just hours after it was announced.
They say that anti-government rallies organised by opposition leader Michael Sata pose a serious threat. It now says political parties are free to hold rallies according to the law.
Thousands of Mr Sata's supporters have been demonstrating since President Levy Mwanawasa was declared the winner of September's presidential election. The authorities had earlier warned that anti-government rallies organised by the opposition leader, Michael Sata, posed a serious threat.
His supporters have been challenging the results of September's presidential election, which was officially won by incumbent President, Levy Mwanawasa.
On Thursday, a court dropped charges against Mr Sata of making a false declaration of his assets.On Thursday, a court dropped charges against Mr Sata of making a false declaration of his assets.
One minister said no group should be allowed to disturb the peace of the country and permission to hold political gatherings would be withheld until further notice. Even after his election defeat, Mr Sata has continued to draw large crowds at his rallies - and he has repeatedly accused the president of, as he puts it, selling Zambia to Chinese and Indian companies.
Even after his election defeat, Mr Sata has continued to draw large crowds at his rallies - and he's repeatedly accused the president of, as he puts it, selling Zambia to Chinese and Indian companies. Mr Sata's Patriotic Front party had said it would challenge the rally ban in court.
Mr Sata's Patriotic Front party says it will challenge the rally ban in court.
Last week, the president said the opposition leader, whose nickname is King Cobra, was on the verge of treason.Last week, the president said the opposition leader, whose nickname is King Cobra, was on the verge of treason.