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"The Barotseland Agreement 1964"



                
             


                                                                                                            
        

     

The Litunga, Sir Mwanawina

Sir Mwanawina  was knighted for His bravely like this Adventist Jamaican Governor in this picture.
 
 
THE BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT 1964
Presented to parliament by the secretary for commonwealth relations by command of her majesty may 1964
 
 
LONDON
HER MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE
EIGHTPENCE NET
Cmnd.2366
THE BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT 1964
Following talks in London between the British Government, the Government of Northern Rhodesia and The Litunga of Barotseland; an Agreement regarding the position of Barotseland within independent Northern Rhodesia was concluded at the commonwealth Relations office on 18 th May, 1964. It is entitled, “The Barotseland Agreement 1964”. It was signed by Dr.K.D.Kaunda, Prime Minister of Northern Rhodesia, by Sir Mwanawina Lewanika III,K.B.E Litunga of Barotseland and by the Right Honourable Duncan Sandys M.P Secretary of State for common wealth Relations and for the colonies signifying the approval of Her Majesty’s Government.
The text of the Agreement is attached as the Appendix to this paper.19th May, 1964.

 
APPENDIX
THE BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT 1964
This Agreement is made this eighteenth day of May, 1964 between KENNETH DAVID KAUNDA, Prime Minister of Northern Rhodesia of the one part and SIR MWANAWINA LEWANIKA THE THIRD ,K.B.E., Litunga of Barotseland, acting on behalf of himself, his heirs and successors, his council, and the chiefs and people of Barotseland of the other party is signed by the Right Honourable Duncan Sandys, M.P Her Majesty’s principal secretary of state for common wealth relations and for the colonies, to signify the approval of her majesty’s government in the united kingdom of the arrangements entered into between the parties to this agreement and recorded therein.
Whereas it was proposed that the Northern Rhodesia shall become an independent sovereign state to be known as the Republic of Zambia.
And whereas it is the wish of the government of Northern Rhodesia and of the Litunga of Barotseland, his council and the chiefs and people of Barotseland that Northern Rhodesia should proceed to independence as one country and that all its peoples should be One Nation:
And whereas having regard to the fact that all treaties and other agreements subsisting between her majesty the queen of the United Kingdom of great Britain and Northern Ireland and The Litunga of Barotseland will terminate when Northern Rhodesia becomes an independent sovereign republic and her majesty’s government in the United Kingdom will there upon cease to have any responsibility for the government of Rhodesia including Barotseland. It is the wish of the government of northern Rhodesia and of The Litunga of Barotseland to enter into arrangements concerning the position of Barotseland as part of the republic of Zambia to the place of the treaties and other agreements hitherto subsisting between Her Majesty the Queen and The Litunga of Barotseland:
And whereas on the sixteenth day of April,1964 a provisional agreement was concluded at Lusaka with purpose and it is the desire of the government of northern Rhodesia and The Litunga, acting after consultation with his council to conclude a permanent agreement with this purpose:
NOW THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSETH and it is hereby agreed between the said Kenneth David Kaunda, Prime Minister of Northern Rhodesia, on behalf of the government of Northern Rhodesia and the said Sir Mwanawina Lewanika the Third, K.B.E., Litunga of Barotseland on behalf of himself, his heirs and successors, his Council and the chiefs and the people of Barotseland as follows:-
  1. Citation and commencement
This agreement may be cited as the Barotseland Agreement 1964 and shall come into force on the day on which Northern Rhodesia, including Barotseland, becomes the independent sovereign Republic of Zambia.
  1. The Constitution of Zambia
The constitution of the republic of Zambia shall include the provisions agreed upon for the inclusion herein at the constitutional conference held in London in May, 1964 relating to:-
(a)    the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the individual;
(b)   the judiciary; and
(c)    the public service
       and those provisions shall have full force and effect in Barotseland.
  1. Administration of Justice
(1)   Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the people of Barotseland shall be accorded the same rights of access to the high court of the republic of Zambia as are accorded to other citizens of the Republic under the laws for the time being in force in the Republic and a judge or judges of the high court selected from among the judges who normally sit in Lusaka shall regularly proceed on circuit in Barotseland at each intervals as the due administration of justice may require.
(2)   The people of Barotseland shall be accorded the same rights of appeal from the decisions of the courts of the Republic of Zambia as are accorded to other citizens of the Republic under the laws for the time being in force in the Republic.
  1. The Litunga and His Council
(1)   The government of the republic of Zambia will accord recognition as such to the person who ois for the time The Litunga of Barotseland under the customary law of Barotseland.
(2)   The Litunga of Barotseland, acting after consultation with his Council as constituted for the time being under the customary law of Barotseland shall be the principal local authority for the government and administration of Barotseland.
(3)    The Litunga of Barotseland, acting after consultation with his Council, shall be authorised and empowered to make laws for Barotseland in relation to the following matters, that is to say;
 
(a)   The Litungaship;
(b)   The authority at present known as the Barotse Native Government (which shall hereafter be known as the Barotse Government);
(c)    The authorities at present known as Barotse Native Authorities;
(d)   The courts at present known as Barotse Native Courts;
(e)    The status of the members of the Litunga’s Council;
(f)     matters relating to local government;
(g)   land;
(h)   forests;
(i)     traditional and customary matters relating to Barotseland alone;
(j)     fishing;
(k)    control of hunting;
(l)     game preservation;
(m)control of bush fires;
(n)   the institution at present known as the Barotse native treasury;
(o)   the supply of beer;
(p)   reservation of trees for canoes;
(q)   local taxation and matters relating thereto; and
(r)     Barotse local festivals.
 
  1. Land
(1)   In relation to land in Barotseland the arrangements set out in the annex hereto shall have effect.
(2)   In particular, the Litunga of Barotseland and his Council shall continue to have the powers hitherto enjoyed by them in respect of land matters under customary law and practice.
(3)   The courts at present known as the Barotse Native Courts shall have original jurisdiction (to the exclusion of any other court in the republic of Zambia) in respect of matters concerning rights over or interests in land in Barotseland to the extent that those matters are governed by the customary law of Barotseland:
Provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as limiting the jurisdiction and powers of the High Court of the Republic of Zambia in relation to writs or orders of the kind at present known as prerogative of writs or orders.
(4)   Save with the leave of the court at present known as the Saa- Sikalo Kuta, no appeal shall lie from any decision of the courts at present known as the Barotse Native Courts given in exercise of the jurisdiction referred to in paragraph (3) of this article to the High Court of the Republic of Zambia.
  1. Civil Servants
All public officers of the Government of the Republic of Zambia who may from time to time be situated in Barotseland shall be officers serving on permanent and pensionable terms.
  1. Financial Responsibility
The Government of the Republic of Zambia shall have the same general responsibility for providing financial support for the administration and economic development of Barotseland as it has for other parts of the Republic and shall ensure that, in discharge of this responsibility, Barotseland is treated fairly and equitably in relation to other parts of the Republic.
  1. Implementation
The Government of the Republic of Zambia shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that the laws for the time being in force in the Republic are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement.
  1. Interpretation
Any question concerning the interpretation of this Agreement may be referred by the Government of the Republic of Zambia to the High Court of the Republic for consideration (in which case the opinion thereon of the Court shall be communicated to that Government and to the Litunga of Barotseland and his Council) and any such question shall be so referred if the Litunga, acting after consultation with his Council, so requests.
  1. Revocation
The herein before recited Agreement of the sixteenth day of April, 1964 is hereby revoked.
In witness whereof the parties hereto               (Signed)
Have hereunto set their hands in the                K.D.KAUNDA
            Presence of: -                                                     Prime Minister of Northern   
            (Signed) E.D. HONE                                         Rhodesia
             Governor of Northern Rhodesia                                (Signed)
             (Signed) IMENDA SIBANDI                                     MWANAWINA LEWANIKA III
              Ngambela of Barotseland                                   Litunga of Barotseland
 
             Signed by the Right Honourable Duncan
             Sandys in the presence of :-                                      (Signed)
             (Signed) RICHARD HORNBY                                     DUNCAN SANDYS
              Parliamentary Under Secretary                                  Her Majesty’s Principal 
                                                                                            Secretary of State for
              of State for Commonwealth                                       Common wealth 
              Relations And the Colonies                                       Relations And for the Colonies.
                                                                                                                                                                                        



 
ANNEX TO THIS AGREEMENT
1.      The Litunga and National Council of Barotseland have always worked in close co-operation with the Central Government over land matters in the past have agreed that the Central government should use land required for public purposes, and have adopted the same procedures as apply to leases and rights of occupancy in the Reserves and Trust Land areas, where applicable. At the same time, the administration of land rights in Barotseland under customary law and practice has been under the control of the Litunga and National Council in much the same way as customary land rights are dealt with in the Reserves and Trust Land areas.
2.      In these circumstances it is agreed that the Litunga should continue to have the greatest measure of responsibility for administering land matters in Barotseland. It is however, necessary to examine the position of land matters in Barotseland against the background of the Northern Rhodesia Government‘s overall responsibility for the territory.
3.      The Barotse memorandum has indicated that Barotseland should become an integral part of Northern Rhodesia. In these circumstances the Northern Rhodesia Government will assume certain responsibilities and to carry these out they will have to have certain powers. so far as land is concerned, apart from confirmation of wide powers the Litunga over customary matters ,the position is as follows:-
(1)   The Northern Rhodesia Government does not wish to derogate from any of the powers exercised by the Litunga and Council in respect of land matters under customary law and practice.
(2)   The Northern Rhodesia Government would like to ensure that the provision of public services and the responsibility of economic development in Barotseland are not hampered by special formalities.
(3)   The Northern Rhodesia Government recognises and agrees that full consultation should take place with the Litunga and Council before any land in Barotseland is used for public purposes or in the general interests of economic development.
(4)   The position regarding land in Barotseland in an independent Northern Rhodesia should ,therefore, be as follows:-
(a)    There should be the same system for land administration for the whole of Northern Rhodesia including Barotseland, that is, the Government Lands Department should be responsible for professional advice and services with regard to land alienation in all parts of Northern Rhodesia and that the same form of document should be used for grants of land (i) for Government purposes and (ii) for non-Government and non-customary purposes. The necessary preparation of the title documents should be done by the Government Lands Department.
(b)    The Litunga and National Council of Barotseland will be charged with the responsibility for administering Barotse customary land law within Barotseland.
 
Printed in England and published by
HER MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE
(31725) Wt. 221-46 K16 5/64 S t_5
 




The Barotseland Agreement of 18th May 1964

Rodger M.A. Chongwe SC

October 28, 2010
 
In an effort to bring the King of Barotseland to the table and facilitate the fusion of the Protectorate of Northern Rhodesia with the protectorate of Barotseland to form Zambia the colonial power through the colonial secretary Sir Duncan Sandys crafted an agreement which was sold to the Prime Minister of Northern Rhodesia and Sir Mwanawina Lewanika of Barotseland. This was during the last stages of the constitutional conference at Malborough House in London. It would appear few of the delegates at this conference claim to be aware of this side meeting, which was taking place simultaneously with the main conference.
 
The representatives of the Barotseland Protectorate argued with the colonial power regarding their own treaty with the British Government that led to the creation of the Protectorate of Barotseland. The nationalists wanted Barotseland to join Northern Rhodesia in its independence as the two protectorates were to all intents and purposes part of one country. People who were prominent in the independence struggle came from Barotseland as well as Northern Rhodesia. However the King of Barotseland did not want to sleep on the rights of his people.

Subsequently Sir Mwanawina Lewanika agreed that Barotseland Protectorate should join with the Protectorate of Northern Rhodesia to form the nation of Zambia on condition that the Barotseland protectorate retained its local autonomous status enjoyed during her status as a protectorate. Barotseland was to surrender those powers that hitherto had been exercised by the imperial power of Britain over Barotseland to the new State of Zambia.
The details of the powers to be retained by the Barotseland Royal Establishment were spelt out in the agreement.
Sir Duncan Sandys on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, Sir Mwanawina Lewanika on behalf of the Barotseland Royal Establishment and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda Prime Minister of Northern Rhodesia, signed the Agreement for fusion on the 18th May 1964.

This agreement paved the way for the creation of the State of Zambia on the 24th October 1964.
In 1969 there were constitutional amendments to the 1964 Constitution and part of those amendments were aimed at bringing local government in Barotseland in line with other provinces. Barotseland was renamed Western Province. The King of Barotseland now only called the Litunga of Barotseland lost some of his powers including his treasury and this was in line with what took place elsewhere in the country. The agreement of 1964 was repealed by legislative fiat without any discussion or consensus from the parties.

The above then is the genesis of our constitutional problems emanating from the Western Province. They are problems that have been left to fester for a very long time. Each successive government has skirted around the problem. No real effort has been made by any of our previous governments to sit down with the traditional leaders of the Western Province to settle the issues once and for all. These issues will not go away unless there is a will by all of us in Zambia to seriously address them through our constitution. After all, at the core of the demands is decentralization. Which politician in Zambian would not agree of the need for decentralization and therefore devolution of more power from Lusaka to the provinces?

In regard to Zambians who come from the other provinces, who do not wish to understand that the Western Province has a legitimate claim to be part of Zambia on a different basis to the rest of us. We cannot in good conscience try to gloss over and arrogantly dismiss this fact, as has been the practice in the past. We as the rest of Zambia made a deal with the Barotse Kingdom. We must now in all good faith acknowledge that we did not keep the agreement. Our partners in the broken agreement have clearly not been happy with our behavior for a long while. Let’s come together and put it right in our time. We can take advantage of the constitutional debate now in place in the country and try to settle once and for all this very important national issue for the good of our country.
------------------------------

 




Turning Barotseland Into a Paradise:
The Vision and The Plan

By Godwin Kaluwe
June 30, 2008
Introduction
 
After 44 years of independence and under control by the central government of the Republic of Zambia it is hard to believe that Western Province, the beloved Barotseland of King Lewanika and Malozi people still lags behind in economic development. This author has come to the point of turning talk into action. In this article this author shares how the Malozi people could turn Barotseland into a paradise with the newly formed initiative called Barotseland Peace Foundation (BAPF).
The vision of the Barotseland Peace Foundation is to develop Western Province into some kind of paradise.  The Barotseland Peace Foundation is looking for Zambians willing to work in this noble task, which is all for the good of everyone. Now is the time for the people of Western Province to stand united. There is an adage that says ‘united we stand, but divided we fall.’ This very much applies to the people of Western Province of Zambia.
 
The Deal
 
The Barotseland Peace Foundaton has been established as a non-profit economic development project and a politically non-partisan organization. Experience shows that the people of Western province are almost giving up on the government. Those who are growing in Shangombo don't even know where they belong, Angola or Zambia? This is not only Troubling, it is serious. This author would like to urge government entities and the people of Western Province to support the BAPF initiative as is a better alternative to the current situation.
 
BAPF will serve as a catalyst for change supporting provincial and municipal governments and entrepreneurial opportunities for the common individual struggling in the bosom of Western Province. BAPF plan is to create awareness of the potential for investment in Western Province. It will be responsible for sponsoring initiatives that provide opportunities for small-scale businesses and job creation as well as support humanitarian projects in order to turn the dust of western province into pure gold. Within the BAPF organization will be an arm serving as a consulting agency also.
 
Planned Early Initiatives
 
Turning villages into cities. After 44 years of independence and under control by the central government of the Republic of Zambia, Mongu, Senanga, Sesheke, Kaoma, Lukulu and Kalabo continue to be villages. Right now we do not even have a stop light in the Provincial Headquarters. The status of these ‘villages’ must change to that of vibrant towns and cities. Malozi everywhere in Diaspora are advised and encouraged to invest in Bulozi because God reserved the best opportunities for last.
 
 
Western Zambia University.
 
Western province has a rich history so that it deserves its own university with campuses at Sefula, Kasima Kalubanda, Lyalumba hill, Kaande or Mutwi wambwa areas.  Some people have expressed interest in calling the university as the University of Barotseland. Others want to call it the Zambezi Basin University. Whatever, the name, the university will be an initiative of ordinary Barotseland loving Zambians, who nevertheless, need the support of everyone.
 
Western Zambia Bank.
 
In order to adequately carry out all development initiatives in both the short term and long run in Barotseland there is need for an organized financial base in form of a regionally supported bank. Therefore, having Barotse Development Bank (BDB) is something people from Western Province need to support. BAPF is poised to contact big institutions and other foundations that have interest in the development of developing countries to support this initiative.  BDB will provide credit to support development of small scale industries like busulusi, animal husbandry, poultry, crop farming, sports recreation, health and other entrepreneurial projects.
 
The present generation has a task before it to pass on the touch to the next generation.  But before this generation disappears everyone from Western Province should remember King Lewanika's dream.  Lewanika had a dream which must be realized today.  If Imutakwandu Lewanika could look back and have a picture of his country, he would not be shocked because there is electricity in Mongu. Remember he saw that in London in 1902.  He will be astonished by the fact that his Kingdom or ‘Nation’ is still under economic bondage, in slavery, pretty much like when the Kololo peolpe were here. Men and women are needed who will stand for what is right. 
 
Shocking King Lewanika
 
Lewanika would be shocked to find that there is no tarred road network connecting every district in Western Province.  He would be amazed to find that his Nation is called Western Province. He will be intrigued to discover that we have not mined the precious stones underground yet, which he called mashandi in 1896 during Lockner treaty. He would be sad to know that up to now there is no railway line in Barotseland connecting from Mulobezi through Sicili to Kaoma, then Lukulu; from Lukulu down to Watopa along Kabompo river to Mongu; from Mongu accross to Kalabo and beyond Kalabo across Kwandu river to Angola.  From Mongu the line going to Senanga through Moonga plain and Kalamba forest and Ndau.  From Kalongola the line going to Sesheke, across into Kaprivi strip.  Through Sesheke the line crossing at Kasani into Botswana. And the Mongu line connecting through Kaoma to Lusaka.
 
King Lewanika would wonder how did this happen when Education started in Barotseland.  He would be regurgitated by the fact that there is no single University in Barotseland.  Malozi, we can do better than that.  He would be provoked by the fact that most of the highly educated Malozi are everywhere in the world, but Barotseland.  Malozi everywhere have a reason to go back home. We have a purpose to live for and fulfill our goals and aspirations. Self-determination is progressive.
 
King Lewanika would wonder how did this happen when Western Province is a rich region.  David Livingstone recorded that it was the food basket of the region.  Malozi today can make it happen again.  How can the same Kalahari sand of Botswana, Namibia and Angola have diamonds except the sand of Barotseland?  How can we continue to import food from desert countries? Don’t you find that very surprising!  How can you walk in the sand of Western Province and be so oily and think there is no oil underground?  This author had always wanted to ask former president Kaunda these questions. 
 
There is no part of Western province you cannot grow anything.  We have one of the greatest rivers in the world; irrigation should not be a problem at all. Yet we have the most notorious water crisis in the region.  Elsewhere people channel rivers into deserts.  We have cattle friendly land.  In Botswana cattle is raised in the desert.  Our rivers are full of best tasting fish.  And there is room to have fish ponds for none ending supplies to other countries.  We have timber in Barotseland.  We have salt, lizwai la njele in Barotseland.  We have river sand which can be exported to other developing places by goods trains.  We have leather for shoe factories in Barotseland.  We have Mango and other fruits that can grow almost wildly that can be squeezed into delicious juices as finished goods. What are Malozi waiting for?
 
Cashew 

Ndongo ya Simbangala is so expensive everywhere in the world.  Soya beans can grow in Barotseland.  Vegetables do well in Barotseland for scientific gardening.  Sand is being transported from Mulobezi western province to Lusaka for construction and Kapiri for glass manufacturing.  Malozi please do not let the sand bury you, turn it into revenue. Someone said; “ if you are given lemon, do not complain just squeeze it and make lemonade.” Why not establish a glass factory in Barotseland? Why not make  Concrete and brick industries?  We can produce enough to be able to export some.  These are but few of abundant natural resources available in Barotseland. The sand and dust in Western Province are merely disguised gold. If you see sand that is what it is. This author sees beyond sand and dust to the core of that which is valuable.
 
The Way Out
 
Western Province has been part of Zambia for almost half a century now and there is no indication of progress, let alone equality and fairness in economic development. At this time it looks like the only way Barotseland would get out of Zambian poverty is to have an autonomous provincial government that would control its economic affairs. This applies to every province in Zambia. We have poured every imaginable development in Lusaka. We are very proud of Lusaka, and we regard it as one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. Just yesterday, in 1950 Lusaka was a village. This author loves Lusaka, but our people will not eat Lusaka. Lusaka needs to start spreading the wealth back to the villages so that the joy of development can be shared.
 
Entrepreneurial Initiatives
 
In order to improve the infrastructure of Barotseland, moving in the direction of self-support, self sufficiency, economic freedom and independence from poverty, BAPF is suggesting the creation and financing of the following entrepreneurial ventures initiated and run by children of Zambia in Barotseland. The government would do well to support these initiatives by making tools available to the common people. Interest rates for loans should be village friendly. We should not use availability of land as an excuse for not developing Western Province. There is enough land, but you have to go through the right channels.
 
Tusa Bulozi Transportation Services Network. This would include businesses in the areas of Trucking, Buses, Rental cars, Barotse water ways, Railway line, Airways, Auto Repair services, Auto dealership, Towing, Trash services, Recycling, Tire co.,
 
Construction Businesses:  These would include housing schemes, concrete and brick production businesses, drilling, mining, road and bridge construction, landscaping, roofing material manufacturers, etc.
 
Food Production:  These would include farm equipment suppliers or renters, farmer's coops, cattle ranch, fish ponds, poultry, milling industries, fruit factories, food processing, food preservation, food storage, silos, wholesale and retail businesses.
 
Resorts and Recreation. These would includeentertainment and sports:  sports arena, stadium, sports center, boating, golf club, golf course, creation of league games, commercial sports, theaters, jogging and cycling ways, tourism industries, zoology, wildlife farms, crocodile gardens, flower gardens, aquarium, game reserve, hunting and fishing store, movie theater, casino, camp resorts, theme parks, and amusement parks.
 
Labor and Human Resource Development:  Employment and temporary staffing agencies.
 
Forestry:  Timber processing, carpentry, furniture stores, etc.
 
Artifacts:  Wood carving, traditional rugs, painting, art gallery, etc.
 
Cultural and Heritage Centers:  To include cultural dancing events, studio production, recording services, photographic studio, photo restoration, traditional ceremonies, information services, advertising, promotions, siyemboka, Ku-omboka and ku-fuluhela, memorabilia, museum etc.
 
Publishing:  To include press, printing, photo copying, type setting, News papers, reviews, journals, magazines book binding, book store etc.
 
Computer Programming:  Computer store, computer center, computer repair, web design, internet services, configuration, computer training, etc.
 
Funeral Homes:  To be established in every town and city for conducting funeral services.
Barotseland Mall or Shopping Centers:  To accommodate retail shops and service businesses.
Barber Shops:  Hair saloons, hair products, etc.
Health Centers:  To include clinics, hospitals, natural healing centers and pharmacies.
Food Store:  To sell fresh foods and health foods.
Hotel Management: Motels, resorts and trailer parks.
Private Education:  Private schools and colleges to provide continuing education programs, online learning and training.
Warehouse Distribution Centers:  To provide storage facilities and services.
Housing:  Rental housing, apartments, office space, etc.
 
Community and Humanitarian Initiatives
 
The work of nonprofit nongovernmental organizations should be encouraged in Barotseland. The organizations would address such needs as aids awareness, malaria control, orphanage, senior citizen relief aid, faith initiatives, human rights, relief aid, women support, no child left behind, project educate, youth center, health center, community center, cultural center,Barotse self determination projects, scholarships, war against poverty, university project, democracy and political education, press freedom, barotseland.com, etc.   
 
Your Support Is Very Much Needed
  
Making Barotseland a paradise will need good planning, organization, control and effective use of resources. This will be possible if you make yourself part of this initiative. Your support is very much needed. There is room for everyone. It sounds like starting all over again. Hey, if this is what it means, it is worth the trouble.
 
If you have any questions on how you can contribute to these issues or projects please contact the author at [email protected] or call 612 578 5331. This author will direct you to some of the people on the ground with more information of the immediate needs. As well, if you find these perspectives thought provoking please get back to this author.
 
Yours with love. God bless the land of Zambia.
 
Godwin Mando Kaluwe  BA, MA, MDiv., SAP/HR.
8036 Bloomington Ave. South,
Minnesota, 55425, USA
        
 About Godwin Kaluwe:
Godwin Kaluwe is president and founder of Barotseland Peace Foundation, a non profit organization registered in the state of Minnesota designed to fight poverty, Malaria and HIV/AIDS in Zambia. He is also the Senior Pastor for Capital Fellowship Seventh-Day Adventist Church in St. Paul, MN. He was born and raised in Mongu. He holds a BA in Religion and an MA in pastoral Ministries from Solusi University in Zambabwe. He also has a Master of Divinity, MDiv. from Andrews University in Michigan, USA. He graduated from Park Nicollet in chaplaincy Residence in 2000. He also obtained a certificate in IT, Computer Configuration SAP/HR Systems from Info-Tech, Atlanta Georgia in 2007. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Management, Leadership with Capella University. Godwin has special interest in the development of Zambia and International trends. As a community leader he is a minister in touch with the common man. Godwin can be contacted at (612) 578 5331 or e-mail at [email protected].

 


 

To the Editor,
Please find below an article in response to the submission of the NCC Report and Draft Constitution to the Minister of Legal affairs yesterday 30th August, 2010. This article is intended to propose a way forward for Barotseland and we will aporeciate if you can find space for it in your widely read news paper. I thank you in advance for your favourable consideration of this request.
Yours.
Mungandi wa Muwina Mungandi      (Cells 0979/0967 667287)
Barotse Self-determination Activist.
 
Barotseland; Way Forward Towards 2011!
In 1911, almost one hundred years ago, The British South African Company (BSA) proposed to administer Barotseland and the rest of Northern Rhodesia as a unit ‘for administrative convenience’. As Barotseland moves towards 2011 which is ironically a crucial election year, Barotse Patriots of all shades, colours and textures are standing at the crossroads to decide whether after a hundred years of this ‘Marriage of Convenience’, it should be allowed to continue even at so much ‘inconvenience’ on our part, especially in the wake of the Draft Constitution of Zambia 2010 which has been presented to the minister of Justice on Monday 30th August, 2010.
When in 1911, BSA company made what seemed to be an absurd proposal to administer the two territories of North Eastern Rhodesia and Barotseland North Western Rhodesia as a single unit purely for ‘administrative convenience’, King Liwanika was quick and keen to point out that he was not comfortable with the arrangement. He was strongly assured that Barotseland would retain her status as a self governing monarchy and that the arrangement was purely for administrative purposes and nothing more.
In 1929 during the reign of King Yeta III who followed his father on the Barotse throne, when the Hilton Young Commission was set up to inquire into the matter of closer union in the British dependences of East and Central Africa, it made the following observation;
“The Barotse have been assured, repeatedly that Barotseland is a protectorate of the crown ‘a sort of Basutuland’. That this status is preserved under successive Orders – in – Council and that they are only part of Northern Rhodesia as an administrative arrangement, with safe guides and the Governor representing the crown.... They have every moral right to be separated as a crown protectorate from Northern Rhodesia. They contend that that time has come!”
King Imwiko 1 who ruled from 1945 to 1948 took giant strides in reorganizing the Barotse Nation. Key of these reorganizations included the setting up, or better still formalization of the Katengo (Barotse National Legislative Council) and the setting up of Namushakende ‘Munzi wa zwelopili’. These strides were made in the light of the contention that ‘that time has come’ for Barotse Self-Determination and indeed Barotse Self-Rule.
Unfortunately King Imwiko’s reign was short lived and even though King Mwanawina who came to the throne after Imwiko’s demise endeavored to continue with the reorganization and democratization of the Barotse Nation started by his brother, the ‘wind of change’ blowing all over Africa brought to Northern Rhodesia a political Euphoria which gripped even the Barotse Elites who were at this time scattered all over Northern Rhodesia doing the white collar jobs available in the colonial government. The ‘in thing’ at the time was to think that Barotseland should proceed to independence together with the rest of Northern Rhodesia as a unit. Following in the steps of his father and two brothers before him, King Mwanawina III resisted the temptation to allow Barotseland to be swallowed by Northern Rhodesia. He was keen to remind all concerned that the coming together of the two territories of Barotseland and Northern Rhodesia was only an administrative arrangement which was done with the full assurance that Barotseland identity, sovereignty, self-determination and self-rule will be guaranteed;
“When in 1889 my father, King Liwanika sought the protection of Queen Victoria, that protection was granted on the understanding that the Barotse Government would continue to govern the people of Barotseland in accordance with the agreement made.
When in 1911 King Liwanika agreed that his country, should be administered as part of the new Northern Rhodesia, he agreed on the understanding that the agreement would not affect the powers of the Barotse Government”
This was part of the speech by the Litunga Sir Mwanawina III made in April 1964 during talks that culminated in the ‘Barotseland Agreement 1964’.
It is clear to anyone who dares to look and cares to take note, that the preoccupation of King Liwanika and his three sons who followed him on the Barotse throne until then was that Barotseland should maintain her identity, sovereignty, autonomy, self-determination and self-rule. This continued to be the preoccupation of Liwanika’s last son on the Barotse throne, King Mbikusita LIWANIKA II and that of his two grandsons who have so far ruled Barotseland (King Ilute YETA IV and the current Litunga King Lubosi IMWIKO II)
One hundred years down the corridors of time since the coming together of Barotseland and Northern Rhodesia to be administered side by side, Zambia is about to usher in a constitution that will be the straw that breaks the Camel’s back for Barotseland and indeed the ‘Barotseland Agreement 1964’. If what the politicians tell us is anything to go by, Zambia will next year, 2011 go to the polls under a constitution that does not in the slightest way recognize Barotseland or the ‘Barotseland Agreement 1964’ which gave birth to the Republic of Zambia as a unitary state. If it is allowed to be, this will be the last nail on the coffin that sends Barotseland into total oblivion. The question that one South African asked when he said ‘what happened to that country we used to pass through from Botswana to Northern Rhodesia?’ will need a serious answer. Can a whole nation be allowed to simply vanish and disappear from the map of the Africa and the World?
To imagine that a civilized nation like Zambia claims to be, could ignore a treaty of the magnitude of the ‘‘Barotseland Agreement 1964’’ and make mockery of it the way the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) did when they rubbished the submissions in favour of the recognition of the Agreement by the Constitution on 10th August 2010 even after the numerous submissions which included a submission from the highest places in Barotseland delivered by a distinguished delegation of Indunas on behalf of the people, the chiefs and indeed the Litunga of Barotseland, is simply mind boggling.
The significance and binding effects of the ‘Barotseland Agreement 1964’ on the Zambian Government cannot be overemphasized. I cannot articulate it any better than the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) did as reflected in a Law Report published in the Weekly Post No. 73 for the week ending 3rd December 1992 which says in conclusion:
“The questions are therefore whether or not there was an agreement, and whether the Agreement has been honoured or breached? If at all there was such an Agreement, then it is legally binding and so it must be honoured.”
As Barotseland moves towards 2011, when Zambia intends to hold elections under a constitution that refuses to acknowledge Barotseland and the ‘Barotseland Agreement 1964’, for me it is clear that the question to all Barotse patriots and nationals at large is simple and straightforward; ‘Are we going to continue in this marriage of convenience, even at so much inconvenience on our part?’. My well thought opinion is that it is time for Barotseland and all Barotse people everywhere to stand up and be counted. We need to demonstrate that we are ready and willing and able to take full control of our destiny. ‘Lineki! Ki nako! Bana ba Poho Ye Nsu!’
Barrack Hussein Obama in a speech on 5th February 2008 said and I quote:
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
In the face of the rebuff by the NCC and by implication the Zambian Government; we need to immediately embark on a three pronged program of action:
1.       Putting our House in Order
 
We need to immediately set out to put our house in order. The process of reorganization started by Mulena Imwiko I and the democratization that started with the reformed Barotse National Council of 1963 should be accelerated in the spirit of ‘Barotseland Agreement 1964’ which envisages a progressive Barotseland with a proper elective legislative council. We need to demonstrate to the world that we are able as a people to govern ourselves in line with modern democratic principles while maintaining our highly valued monarchical system which has kept us together as a people for hundreds of years.
To kick-start the process we should put in place an inaugural Katengo of carefully selected men and women from all the Districts and indeed the Diaspora. This can be by way of nominations by the Litunga in consultation with all mileneñi and other key stakeholders. The purpose of the inaugural Katengo is to put in place the program of action leading to a fully elected Katengo from which a Ngambela will be elected and a government of some sort will be formed to govern with the Litunga as head of state for the Barotse Government.
This is not a new or strange Idea. The ‘Barotseland Agreement 1964’ provides for an elected Legislative Council, a Barotse Government and the Litunga as the principle Authority in Barotseland. We can no longer wait to be given what is rightfully ours, the right to govern ourselves and take charge of our destiny by properly allocating and applying our natural resources for development and prosperity.
 
2.       Taking The Dispute Over The “Barotseland Agreement 1964” To the International Arena
 
One may argue that this has already been done because petitions have been sent to SADDC, the Commonwealth, The African Union and indeed the United Nations in the past on top of the numerous petitions that have been made to the successive Zambian Governments by way of delegation after delegation.
What we are hereby proposing is far more than anything that has been done before. We need to officially declare a dispute with the government of Zambia and prepare a delegation to personally make submissions to all the international organizations to which Zambia is affiliated. What is critical is that the representations must be made in person to these bodies this time round.
As can be seen this exercise will require a lot of resources and the self-sacrificing nature of all patriotic Malozi will be called upon to raise the resources needed to embark on this international campaign. All Malozi at home and in the Diaspora should take advantage of the opportunity by contributing their resources to the just cause of a pacific settlement of the ‘‘Barotseland Agreement 1964’’ dispute. 
  
3.       Take Over The Political Scene In Barotseland
 
Yes the Zambian political scene as it occurs in Barotseland can no longer be let to be. It should no longer be business as usual for those who intend to be politicians riding on the Barotse vote. We need to demonstrate to Zambia and the world at large that Malozi are aggrieved over the intransigence of the Zambian Government in as far as the ‘Barotseland Agreement 1964’ is concerned. For all these decades we have been deceived that the Barotse issue is not politics (Kuhu, kuhu u lobale ba bañwi kaufela ba lobezi) so people can come and get our votes and when we demand the honouring of the only document that makes us part of Zambia the same people that we have given the honour of being our representative either at council level or national assembly level can rubbish our submission and hope to come back next year and get our votes. This nonsense must be brought to an abrupt end.
Barotseland must speak with one voice in the ballot box as we did in the 1968 election when we rejected UNIP after it started tempering with the Agreement and as we deed during the referendum to end all referendums ‘Lifu la ndambo’.
Come 2011 we should blow our vuvuzelas with a certain sound. This means that we should vote only for candidates who will stand with us in our bid to resolve the dispute over the ‘Barotseland Agreement 1964’ once and for all. The Barotse leadership both traditional and political should provide clear direction on this matter. Whether it will mean supporting a Pro-Barotse Party or supporting Pro-Barotse candidates or even creating a whole new Political Party for the purpose, let it be. I think what Malozi are waiting for is to hear the clarion call. Let the ngongi be blown and we will rally to the drums.
The above is simply a three pronged minimum program of action which will require input from all bana ba Malozi, bashemi ba luna in all mileneñi and fa libala. For this reason the calls for a Barotse National Council followed by a Pizo (Pitso) to map out a strategy and the way forward are justified. We stand at the epoch of a very critical phase of our history as a nation it is either we give up our nationhood and national identity or we strive to preserve what our forefathers shed blood for and lost lives to hand over to us. Lineki, bana ba poho ye nsu.Ki nako! 
Mungandi wa Muwina



The media reporting in Zambia over the issue of Barotseland as exhibited below is a good example of how the issue of this magnitude has been treated over the years. This explains why the people of Barotseland are outraged and want to deal with this issue once and for all.

Zambia: Mongu youths protest omission Barotse agreement from Draft Constitution

Youths in Mongu this morning protested against Police officers who were stopping them from an unlawful assembly. The youths explained to the police officers that their meeting was to discuss the omission of the Barotse agreement of 1964 in the draft constitution. In the process of stopping them from assembling unlawfully, the youths started throwing stones at police officers and wounded one of them. The youths allegedly burnt a motor vehicle registration number AAP 3277 belonging to Misheck Kolobeka which was hired by MTN Zambia for their sensitization shows.

The youths also vandalized Kalemoni and town market police posts and freed all detainees from the police cells. They have also removed flags from schools and at the stadium where the inter trades sports competition are taking place. The youths have further threatened to beat up anyone who will be holding independence activities tomorrow. Efforts to find out the condition of the police officer who was wounded proved futile by press time as he was out in the field for duties.

ZANIS 

Zambia: Politicians urged not to politicise the Barotse Agreement

File:Barotse Royal Establishment Induna Ingangwana and American Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth

The Bishops Council of Zambia has cautioned opposition politicians not to aggravate the Barotse agreement by politicizing the issue. In a statement released to ZANIS in Mufulira today, Council President Bishop Peter Chinyama said the Barotse agreement is a serious matter that can bring serious political tension and division in the country if not well handled. Bishop Chinyama observed that some opposition politicians are trying to gain cheap political mileage over the Barotse agreement a situation he said would aggravate the whole matter.

He urged the opposition politicians to try and promote national unit instead of dividing the country by peddling their selfish political agenda. He advised the opposition politicians to realize that first President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda was not unwise when he worked towards uniting the entire country including the Barotseland through the motto One Zambia One Nation that held the country together since independence.

Bishop Chinyama further urged politicians who were claiming to speak on behalf of the people of Western Province to also realize that Western Province had highly educated people and successful politicians who fully understand the documents and implications of the agreement. He said the elite from the Western Province would have done something if harmonizing the agreement could be helpful to the province and the nation at large. He however commended government for the way it handled the matter.

Recently PF Leader Michael Sata was quoted in some section of the media as saying that he was ready to help the people of Barotseland gain independence from the rest of Zambia.

ZANIS

Related News:

Zambia: ‘Sata fanning tribalism on Barotse Agreement’

Former Kasenengwa Member of Parliament Timothy Nyirenda has said Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata is allegedly promoting tribalism by raising people’s emotions over the Barotse Agreement. And former PF secretary general Edward Mumbi has said Mr Sata’s championing of the Barotse Agreement is one of his several methods to seek popularity in the media. Mr Nyirenda said it was disheartening for the PF president to continue exciting Zambians with his “wild” views on the long-discarded Barotse Agreement.

He said such acts amounted to promoting tribalism and advised Mr Sata to unite the citizens under the popularly agreed motto of ‘One Zambia, One nation’. In yesterday edition of The Post, Mr Sata was quoted as having said the Barotse agreement was real and nobody could gloss over it. Mr Sata said the people of Western Province had the right to demand what belonged to them. But Mr Mumbi said the opposition leader’s populist views were a clear demonstration of his desperation to get to State House at any cost. He said it was irresponsible for any leader to seek to divide the people of Zambia as a means of achieving his political goals.

Mr Mumbi said it was strange that Mr Sata was raising issues about the Barotseland Agreement, which he did not do when he served under former presidents Kenneth Kaunda and Frederick Chiluba. “It is irresponsible for Mr Sata to start inciting Zambians to these levels. In the first place, he could not defend the Barotse Agreement when he served under Dr Kaunda.

“In the Chiluba administration, Mr Sata was in the Cabinet but could not defend the agreement. Now that he is in the opposition, he is defending it and making populist statements in the media,” Mr Mumbi said. And a political activist in Chipata, Gideon Zulu has said it is sad that Mr Sata is working to divide the Zambian people. Mr Zulu, who is managing director of Sawaza Investments, said in an interview yesterday that Mr Sata should allow the country to enjoy the peace it was known for worldwide.
[ Times of Zambia ]

Related News:




Don’t be cheated on Barotseland - Wina
By KASUBA MULENGA VETERAN politician Sikota Wina has cautioned the people of Western Province not to be cheated by some politicians promising that they will review the Barotseland Agreement if they assume power.

Mr Wina said at a media briefing at his Mimosa farm house in Lusaka on Friday that such politicians are merely attempting to hoodwink the people of Western Province because there is no mention of secession or provision for separate development in the agreement. He said it is unfortunate that most of the people who talk about the agreement have never even read it in its entirety to understand the meaning of its content.

“Those championing the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement have no case. I have studied the entire document and I don’t think this country is prepared to start a fresh debate to review it,” he said. And Mr Wina said he and his wife, Princess Nakatindi, decided to call for a press conference to clear the misunderstanding over the Barotseland Agreement which may threaten national security and retard development if left unchecked. Mr Wina said Government shall ensure that in the discharge of its financial responsibility, Barotseland is treated fairly and equitably in relation to other sections of the country.

“Now it can be noted that in the entire document, there is the continuous reference to Barotseland as an integral part of the Republic of Zambia. There is no mention of secession or provision for separate development,” he said. Mr Wina said equitable sharing of the national cake has always created divisions even in developed countries but that although Western Province is badly hit by lack of investment, it still receives a fair share of national resources as evidenced by President Banda’s recent commissioning of the multi-billion dollar Mongu-Kalabo and Senanga-Sesheke roads.

He wondered why some disgruntled politicians have continued attacking President Banda when he is working hard to take development to Western Province, just like any other part of the country. Mr Wina said there is no doubt that Patriotic Front president Michael Sata appointed Inonge Wina as his national chairperson in an attempt to ride on the popularity of the Wina name in Western Province.

“This should not hoodwink the Lozi people. As the eldest living son of the late Ngambela Wina (former Prime Minister of Barotseland), I will not allow my father’s name to be abused politically and for dubious purposes,” he said. And Princess Nakatindi appealed to all peace-loving Zambians not to judge political leaders by their tribes but by the quality of leadership they are offering to the country. “Are they a unifying factor or are they out there just for the sake of power only? Next year, this country is headed for emotional but sober judgement of our leaders,” she said.

She said when President Mwanawasa died, President Banda led the country through a peaceful transition.
Princess Nakatindi said when he became President, Mr Banda embarked on an ambitious infrastructure development programme countrywide. “That is your man for the leadership of this country during these trying times when even developed countries such as Britain, America and Greece are faced with serious recessions and job losses,” she said.

The Barotseland Agreement was signed on May 8, 1964 in London between then Northern Rhodesia Prime Minister Kenneth Kaunda and Sir Wina Lewanika III, the Litunga of Barotseland and the British Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs, Duncan Sandys. “Whereas it is the wish of the Government of Northern Rhodesia and of the Litunga of Barotseland, his council and the chiefs and people of Barotseland that Northern Rhodesia should proceed to independence as one country and that all its people should be one nation."

“And having regard to the fact that all treaties and other agreements subsisting, Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom and the Litunga of Barotseland will terminate when Northern Rhodesia becomes an independent sovereign republic and Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom will thereupon cease to have any responsibility for the Government of Northern Rhodesia and of the Litunga of Barotseland to enter into arrangements concerning the position of Barotseland as part of the Republic of Zambia, to take the place of the treaties and other agreements hitherto subsisting between the Queen and the Litunga of Barotseland,” part of the preamble of the agreement reads.

Mr Wina said the treaties provided that the Lozi King Lewanika had been granted protectorate status by Britain through the Lochner Concession of June 1890, in return for giving Cecil Rhodes’ BSAC monopoly over mining and commercial rights in his territory. He said this monopoly could have been earning BSAC fat royalties up to 1986.

Mr Wina said as Zambia’s independence approached, UNIP, under Dr Kaunda, refused to be troubled by the treaties which were said to cover over 200,000 square miles of territory, extending up to present day Copperbelt Province.
He said the Zambian constitution of 1964 had a strong Bill of Rights which provided protection of private ownership and no clause could be changed, except by national referendum which provided for a two-thirds majority of votes cast.

“In the view of the UNIP leadership at the time, we regarded this clause in the constitution as having been enshrined in the constitution to safeguard the mineral royalties the BSA Company had obtained from King Lewanika through the 1890 treaties which could remain in effect until 1986,” he said. Mr Wina said shortly after independence, a referendum was held on June 17, 1969 which cleared the matter by granting the powers to change the constitution through Parliament.

He said this development helped to resolve the issue of mineral royalties and closed the chapter over BSAC, accompanied by the withdrawal of the Litunga’s rights to grant processing licenses and mining leases.
And Mr Wina said the Zambian constitution included provisions relating to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals, the judiciary and the public service.

He said all the provisions were meant to have full force and effect in Barotseland and the Zambian Government would accord recognition of the Litunga under customary law of Barotseland.
 ,
The radio interview was based on the contents of the following article below, which appeared on Lusaka Times. It is surprising to see how people resort to insults and get carried away emotionally and avoid dealing with facts. Unfortunately this issue will not be resolved by who insults the most, nor by fighting. This is a legal issue and it has to be resolved. There are courts that deal with treaties and agreements. It cannot be resolved by the NCC. It is above the NCC. It is an International Treaty, and must be regarded as such. However, dialogue is very important so people can be educated and begin to understand the importance of the issue. Barotseland Agreement 1964 is a National issue. It is not youth protesting.

Zambia: The Barotseland contention

File:The Litunga emerges from the Nalikwanda

By Godwin M Kaluwe

The recent protest in Western Province on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010, resulting in very serious injuries and one death was something that should never have happened. But the government’s reckless behavior by ignoring Western province submissions to the new constitution has outraged the people of Barotseland. This is a good example of how civil wars are born. One little spark is capable of igniting a huge and destructive fire.

All this came about in August 2010, following the release of the final draft of the constitution. It was discovered then that all the submissions from western province were not included. Someone essentially thought they were not that important, and that Zambia can do just fine without them. Turned out to be a big mistake and recipe for disaster. Prior to this incident, when asked if he would ever thank the people of WP for tilting the presidential election results in his favor; president Banda is believed to have said; ” I did not ask for their votes.” As if that was not enough, the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia went to Western province and made a very troubling statement at the Ku-fuluhela gathering, which is reverse of Ku-omboka 2010. He publicly told the people; ” A Mulozi will never be president of Zambia.” People were so shocked that the Induna who was translating for him collapsed and passed out. Without an apology, he further demanded for another translator. The final nail on the unitary state coffin came when the constitution submissions from western province were thrown out of the draft. People who were in denial of government agenda can now smell the coffee. Hence the events of that fateful Saturday, after three requests to legally acquire public permit to hold a public meeting were denied by the pro Barotseland freedom advocates, not secessionists,

Barotse Agreement 1964

What many people do not understand is that the WP submission included a review of the Barotse Agreement 1964, which was the vehicle for the unitary state of the Republic of Zambia, without which the boundary between Zambia and Barotseland would have been the line of rail from Copper belt to Victoria falls. When King Lewanika signed successive treaties back in 1890, that claimed a vast area of Northern Rhodesia, he protected North-Western province from the Portuguese, Copper belt and Luapula from the French and Belgians, Northern and Eastern provinces from the Germans, and the whole Nation of Zambia was preserved as we know it today. This is the reason Zambia is known as King Lewanika’s country or Kingdom. Lewanika is a nickname, his real name was Lubosi. He acquired Liwanika name as people remembered his ability to unite tribes and Nations. Of the 73 plus Zambian languages, 31 are from Barotseland. In truth there is no tribe called Lozi. Bulozi or Barotseland is a Nation or Kingdom consisting of different tribes and peoples who have come to be known as Malozi today. There is no Lozi versus Nkoya, Mbunda, Luvale, Nyengo, Toka, Leya, Mbukushu, Mboela, Cokwe, Mweenyi, Kwangwa, Simaa, Subia, etc. Lozi is citizenship not a tribe. But those who want to devide and rule erroneously or purposely designate Lozi versus all of the above.

The following are implications of not including Western Province submissions:

  • Technically and by default Barotseland ceases to be part of Zambia. Barotse Agreement 1964 was the glue of the union of the two nations
  • Zambia cannot hold Barotseland accountable for stay, to an agreement Zambia no longer respects or considers abrogated.
  • The Zambian Government will create a peaceful political atmosphere to help Barotseland revert to her original status, by referendum or other, if necessary.
  • All Barotseans residing in the main-stream Zambia will be free to have dual citizenship or choose to stay wherever they want.
  • The rest of the Zambians residing in Barotseland will choose to stay or have dual citizenship and live wherever they want.
  • The Royal establishment resumes the role of reorganizing their government with the Litunga as King of Barotseland.
  • The two governments will discuss boundary modalities without a fight, under AU and UN supervision
  • The natural boundary being Kafue river running west side of Itezhi-tezhi passing through Namwala and Mulobezi area to Livingstone.
  • Zambia takes Copper belt and the predominantly Lozi speaking people of Livingstone continue to be in Barotseland
  • Kabompo and Zambezi will choose to stay in Zambia or be free with Barotseland
  • The government of Barotseland will not seek to retrieve original parts of Barotseland now occupied by other countries like Kwando area in Angola, Caprivi Strip in
  • Namibia, Kasane area in Botswana, and Victoria falls town to the border with Hwange, in Zimbabwe.
  • Barotseland will be a good neighbor of Zambia and the surrounding nations.
  • Barotseland will join Common wealth nations, UN, AU, SADC and other.
  • There is no treasonable charge against freedom of speech and expression of self-determination
  • The Republic of Zambia under the surveillance eye of the International community will be a benchmark of a peaceful transition in Africa.

One of the objectives of Barotseland Peace Foundation, as a non profit and an apolitical organization, is to advocate for peace and facilitate for peaceful and transparent deliberations regarding conflict resolutions. Therefore, Both Zambia and Barotseland will benefit greatly by working with BAPF. We invite all other peace loving and peace making entities to join us in this matter, so we can resolve this matter without bloodshed. Self-Determination is imbedded in human rights, a privilege for all people everywhere in the world. There is a distress call from the people of Barotseland. The International community should not wait until it turns into Rwanda, Sudan, or Bosnia. Now is the time to respond and prevent war! Ki naako!!!






 
 

RESOLUTIONS
Of the 2012 Barotse National Council
held at Limulunga on March 26-27th.
 
PREAMBLE
We the people of Barotseland having constituted and deliberated as a National Council on 26th to 27th March, 2012 in Limulunga in the Barotseland Nation on the status and future of the Barotseland Nation in the Republic of Zambia, hereby declare this day of Tuesday March 27, 2012 at the close of our deliberations as follows:
 
Recognizing that the Barotseland Agreement 1964 provided the basis on which Barotseland became an integral part of Zambia and took the place of the treaties and other agreements hitherto subsisting between Her Majesty the Queen and the Litunga of Barotseland.
 
Acknowledging that the Barotseland Agreement 1964’s aim was to provide a safe guard against encroachment on the powers of the people of Barotseland to self-government by Central Government of Zambia.
 
Realizing that the new state of Zambia, which came into being on October 24, 1964, never ratified the Barotseland Agreement entered into between Barotseland and Northern Rhodesia Governments on May 18, 1964, and despite its non- ratification, unilaterally abrogated by Zambia in 1969.
 
Aware that the unilateral termination of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 by the government of Zambia is a violation of the right of Barotseland to self-determination and repudiation of the purported integration of the territory of Barotseland into Zambia.
 
Recognizing that successive Zambian governments never took steps necessary to ensure that the laws for the time being in force in the Republic of Zambia are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Agreement.
 
Aware that successive Zambian governments continued to undermine the modernization of Barotseland institutions and governance required to run an independent modern state as well as meddle in the national affairs of Barotseland, resulting in conflict in some sections of the Barotseland Nation.
 
Recalling that successive Zambian governments illegally administered and controlled Barotseland by intimidation and force since October 24, 1964, despite continued protests from the people of Barotseland against such transgressions, including futile calls to restore the Agreement.
 
Knowing that Barotseland’s right to autonomy on governance and political affairs is inborn and has been protected by treaties since the first encounter with foreign powers.
 
Rejecting the expectation or notion by the Zambian government that we surrender our autonomy as expressed in the Barotseland Agreement 1964 in return for economic development.
 
We now inform Zambia and the international community that we finally accept the unilateral nullification and the abrogation of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 by the Zambian government, which action has freed Barotseland from being part of Zambia.
 
In line with the Post liminium doctrine we can no longer be obliged to honor an international Agreement that the other party has nullified and abrogated, which has reverted us to our original status.
 
POSITION STATEMENT:
 
We the people of Barotseland declare that Barotseland is now free to pursue its own self-determination and destiny.
 
We are committed to a peaceful disengagement with the Zambian government in the same manner that we attempted integration as a state within Zambia.
 
We call on the international community to support our legitimate right to self-determination as a people and nation by resolving as follows:
 
1.     That all the people in Barotseland shall continue to enjoy the centuries old harmonious peaceful co-existence by all the ethnic groups as had always been the case.
 
2.    That the people of Barotseland shall not, in any way, take kindly to any individual, authority or groups of individuals bringing the institution of the Litungaship into public ridicule and disrepute by making derogatory remarks with intent to undermine the authority of the Litunga and Barotse Government.
 

 

  1. The Zambian government to immediately refrain from committing actions of violence and intimidation against the people of Barotseland.

 
4.    That no part of Barotseland shall be ceded to any other country.
5.    The Barotse Government should immediately formalize the DECLARATION OF DISPUTE with the Zambian Government on the basis that the Zambian Government has violated and unilaterally abrogated the Unity Treaty whose purpose was to bind the two territories of Barotseland and the rest of Zambia, and also notify the SADC, AU, Commonwealth and United Nations of that fact.
 
6.    The people of Barotseland shall exercise their right to revert Barotseland to its original status as a sovereign nation, so that the people of Barotseland shall determine their political, cultural, social and economic development.
 
7.    The Barotse Government is mandated to, within 30 days, request the United Nations to oversee the transition process.
 
 
8.    The Barotse Government should, within 30 days, put in place a transition process leading to taking over all government functions in Barotseland and the election of the KATENGO Legislative Council.

 

  1. We mandate the Barotse Government to immediately engage the Zambian government with the sole purpose of working out transitional arrangements towards self-determination for Barotseland within the shortest possible time under the auspices of the United Nations.

 
10. The Barotse Government should embark on reforms to modernize its functions and enhance accountability and transparency.
 
11.  The Barotse Government should immediately establish a Secretariat comprising of such number of Officers as required to run such an office.
 
12. The Barotse Government should convene the next BNC at the end of June 2012 to receive reports on the progress on the above resolutions.
 
Submitted by:

 

BNC RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE
Full Names Position in Committee Title / Institutions Signature
Mr.Mutungulu Wanga Chairman Chairman / MOREBA  
Mr. Mwangelwa Akapelwa Secretary Induna Mayunyi / Namuso  
Mr. Mungandi Mungandi Member Secretary / MOREBA  
Mr. Namiluko Imwaka Member Namuso  
Mr. Lubinda Nyaywa Member Induna Amuikuteile/Mwandi  
Mr. Chazele Mulasikwanda Member Secretary / BFM  
Mr. Afumba Mombotwa Member Chairperson / Linyungandambo  
Mr. Mwangelwa M-Lewanika Vice Secretary Member / MOREBA  
       

 
Approved by the Barotse National Council, on this 27th day of March, 2012, as signed by:
 
 
Clement W. Sinyinda                 Batuke Imenda   
NGAMBELA                     MUKULWAKASHIKO

 



1. The Commission of Inquiry
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Additional links on this topic:
Dumping in Developing Nations
Barotseland Agreement 1964, Validity and Legal Definition
Friendly Fire in Barotseland Quest

 		  
 

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