Following mass protests over President Kaunda's decision to cut subsidies for maize meal and double maize prices in 1990, Captain Mwamba Luchembe single-handedly seized the national radio station and announced a coup d'état. Luchembe held the radio station for only two hours before being arrested. Kaunda's unpopularity led to demonstrations in support of Luchembe, however, and the same day the president announced he would seek a referendum on democratic multi-party elections. Kaunda granted a blanket amnesty to his political opponents as he prepared to accept the return of multi-party elections, which would shortly thereafter end his term of almost three decades. Among those who received amnesty was Alexander Saimbwende, who surrendered to the government and ended the DSC insurgency.
following mass protests over president kaunda's decision to cut subsidies for maize meal and double maize prices in 1990 captain mwamba luchembe single-handedly seized the national radio station and announced a coup d'état luchembe held the radio station for only two hours before being arrested kaunda's unpopularity led to demonstrations in support of luchembe however and the same day the president announced he would seek a referendum on democratic multi-party elections kaunda granted a blanket amnesty to his political opponents as he prepared to accept the return of multi-party elections which would shortly thereafter end his term of almost three decades among those who received amnesty was alexander saimbwende who surrendered to the government and ended the dsc insurgency