Africa-Press – Zambia. PREAMBLE: The primary objective of the meeting was to find a common
position of the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) on the remarks by the President of the Republic of Zambia His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema that “there is no Barotseland’; in the face of the resultant widespread public disquiet in Barotseland and the Zambian diaspora caused by the remarks.
OPENING REMARKS BY THE RT. HON NGAMBELA
The Right Hon Ngambela opened the meeting by welcoming the delegates. He apologised for the short notice but the gravity of the matter at hand militated against delaying the deliberations because of the heavy storms
hoovering in Barotseland, it was difficult to keep quiet. The public is upset because of the President’s utterances. He had told the Permanent Secretary Akapelwa that there is no Barotseland (Bulozi) and that he was
serious. This statement by the President has angered the people of Barotseland. People are blaming the traditional leadership (Mulonga) for not responding promptly
He further explained that the purpose of the meeting was to find a common stand of the people of Barotseland represented here by all Senior Chiefs and chiefs of Principalities (Regional Kutas) and chiefdoms and heads of
regional kutas and their indunas. We are accused of being quiet, what is our stance on this matter? Namuso and regional kutas are overwhelmed by numerous complaints from all over Barotseland and the diaspora
concerning the negative statement by the Republican President. Finally, he reported that Presidential emissaries were sent to clarify the President’s statement that there is no country called Barotseland.
REPORTS FROM REGIONAL KUTAS
The regional kutas present were called upon to present reports in the following order; Kaungamashi, Namayula, Naliele, Mwandi, Libonda, Nalolo and Lealui. Others were: Liumba, Nyengula, Kahumbu, Mwito, Nafioko,
and Njonjolo, The unanimity of the presentations touched on various subject areas that hinge on the neglect, marginalisation, indiscipline, arrogance, tribalism, and
segregation of Barotseland by institutionalised Government policies. The latest negative Presidential statement is a culmination of the various problems already manifested in the actions of successive Governments.
The people of Barotseland are disappointed by the conduct of the President in that he has betrayed the trust that they had in giving him massive votes
during the 2021 tripartite elections. All the negative and disparaging statements made by Government at various fora are targeted to belittle and undermine the leadership of the Litunga’s authority and stature in
Barotseland. The people of Barotseland find solace and strength in their anthem “Bulozi ‘fasi la bo Ndata’luna”. The people of Barotseland are infuriated by being used as ladders for other
People to gain power and thereafter abandoned and left as the poorest region in Zambia without basic industries, poor road infrastructure, poor waterways, prevalent animal diseases and inadequate tertiary educational
institutions, such as public university or public colleges/specialised polytechnics. While other regions in Zambia are free to call themselves by their own
native names or slogans, they are not labelled as secessionist or tribalists, yet the name Barotseland is equated to secession and treasonable. Even in Parliament Barotseland is declared un parliamentary language. We ask
why this discrimination? What the President said about “no country called Barotseland” should not be skirted to mean otherwise this must have come from deep inside his
heart, he said it deliberately knowing what he meant. As regards dialogue, it is welcome although the meeting had some misgivings because he cannot be the referee while at the same time the
negotiator. It was suggested that an arbitrator be found to help in any form of dialogue between Barotseland and Zambia, Barotseland should also reactivate its membership with Unrepresented Nations and Peoples
Organisation (UNPO) in order to publicise to the international community her plight of denial for self-determination and recognition as a people because of the abrogation of the Barotseland Agreement 1964. Lealui – Limulunga
RESOLUTIONS OF THE CONSULTATIVE MEETING OF THE
BAROTSE TRADITIONAL COUNCIL HELD AT LIMULUNGA IN BAROTSELAND FROM 24TM TO 26TM JANUARY 2024 26TM January 2024
PREAMBLE
We the delegates from the Regional Principalities of Barotseland attending the Consultative Meeting of the Barotse Traditional Council comprising Senior
Chiefs and Chiefs/Chieftainess in charge of Principalities and chiefdoms and heads of regional kutas in Barotseland to discuss the Presidential statement
made on 18′′ January 2024; during his address to a meeting of senior Government officials at Mulungushi International Centre in Lusaka. The statement was extensively covered on various media platforms including
the public media. The Barotse Royal Establishment took note of this statement with great exception. We reaffirm the existence of Barotseland and we are further to defend it to
the letter without fear or favour and at all costs. We welcome the intimation by His Excellency President Hichilema to engage with the Barotse Royal Establishment on this matter. It is our hope that this can be done with a sense of urgency. We further
a) Affirm that we the people of Barotseland need not be intimidated by
the term “unitary state” because it is we that made it possible through the unity treaty called the Barotseland Agreement 1964,
b) Commit to accept the olive branch from the President of the Republic
of Zambia to dialogue with the Barotse Royal Establishment,
c) Realising that the President of the Republic of Zambia has made a
statement refuting the existence of Barotseland that has angered the majority of the people of Barotseland,
4) Aware of the continued failure and incapacity of the successive
Zambian governments to be honest and courageous enough towards conclusively resolving the question of Barotseland impasse,
e) Assuring the people of Barotseland that the Barotse Royal
Establishment shall continue to represent their concerns regarding evolution of a good society devoid of any form of discrimination or marginalisation.
Now therefore we resolve as follows:- That the President of the Republic of Zambia His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema is welcome to come to Barotseland to explain or
clarify his statement that there is no country called Barotseland. That in the spirit of mutual consideration, consultation and agreement, we call for serious engagement to dialogue over the Barotseland Impasse once and for all. That we call for improved cordial relationship between Provincial Administration and the Barotse Royal Establishment.
That Barotseland’s quest for self-determination and self-rule should be seriously considered as the main subject of engagement of the dialogue that the President intends to engage the people of Barotseland.
That the Barotseland Agreement 1964 must be reinstated with immediate effect and that the name Barotseland be reinstated as well. That the Barotse Royal Establishment should reactivate its membership to the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO).
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