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Secessionist Sentiments, A Highly Divisive Issue

 

Secessionist Sentiments in Western Province

The continued agitation for secession by traditional leaders in Weste­rn Province is no doubt a thorny and complex issue which requires the government of the day to tread carefully in its efforts to resolve it. Like all other serious national issues facing us, we need to summon our wisdom in find­ing a lasting and peaceful solution to it. In this article, I wish to make a few observa­tions about the issue.

We Are One People!:

Although the majority of Zambian citi­zens to­day can identify themselves as belong­ing to one or two of our country’s seventy-three (73) tribes, we are all essentially one and the same people. In short, we are all members of the Zambian family. And recogni­tion of our oneness has, no doubt, been the linchpin of the enhanced and unmat­ched national unity which our coun­try has enjoyed since inde­pen­dence. I, therefore, do not suppor­t my traditional cousins in Western Province secede from the Zambian nation.

An Era of Integration:

Integration of sovereign states has been one of the leading aspirations of socio-economic policy over the last sixty or so years, so much so that we can appro­priately describe our era as an era of integ­ration. There are numerous motivations for such integration, inclu­ding the need to create larger financial and goods markets, and the need to assume greater bargaining power in interna­tional affairs. In general, societal members worldwide have become true beli­evers in the concepts of “strength in numbers” and “in unity, there is greater strength.” Secession in an era of integration is, therefore, counter­produc­tive at best!

What Is the Central Issue?:

believe the main issue which has continued to invoke secessionist sentiments can be found in Clauses 2 and 3 of Article 4 of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964, which I will cite here below:

Article 4: The Litunga and His Council: (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 authorized and empowered to make laws for Barotseland [with respect to issues cited in Agreement].

Unfortunately, decentralization of authority to provinces is not likely to mitigate the prevailing desire for secession because it will require leaders in the 10 provinces to be elected by residents. The secessionist, I believe, are mainly about having the Litunga and his inner circle to preside over the political and economic affairs of Western Province, perhaps with some semblance of democracy through titular structures of elected leaders.

So, our fellow citizens in Western Province need to decide whether or not they prefer to be governed by a monarchical regime without any viable mech­anism for peacefully replacing incompe­tent leaders. The secession which my traditional cousins are seeking is not feasible in the long run without first gauging the general feelings (about the secession issue) of the Mbunda, Mankoya and other tribes in the Western Province, and the Lozi people who have intermarried across provincial boundaries.

A Highly Divisive Issue:

Secessionist sentiments are a highly divisive issue; the longer they are sustained, therefore, the more they are likely to create an atmosphere of mistrust and hostility between the Lozi people and the other 72 Zambian tribes, with whom they have peacefully coexisted over the last 47 years.

Our beloved country has been a unitary and indivisible sovereign state since its inception in 1964. Each and every one of us, therefore, has a civic and moral obligation to guard against the temptation of dividing it on ethnic lines. We need to continue to exercise our civic and moral duty to be patriotic and loyal to our beloved country, and to foster national unity as well as live in harmony with other members of Zambian society.

Henry Kyambalesa

 

 

Posted by on March 28, 2012. Filed under LATEST NEWS, Letters To The Editor. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

68 Responses to Secessionist Sentiments, A Highly Divisive Issue

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  1. Shi JK

    March 28, 2012 at 8:56 am

    Great article, well written and informative.

  2. leon

    March 28, 2012 at 9:08 am

    WHAT IS KILLING ZAMBIA IS THE TRIBALISM TAG ESPECIALY MORE PRONOUNCED ON THE TONGA PEOPLE,THESE PEOPLE ARE GOOD AND HARD WORKING AND IF WE SAY NO TONGA WIL EVER BE PRESIDENT,WHY SHOULDN’T THEY RULE THEMSELVES TOO.LET US PUT A LAW AGAINT THE TRIBALISM TAG SO WHO EVER OPENS THEIR MOUTH CARELESLY ON TRIBAL GROUNDS SHOULD GO IN FOR AT LEAST A YEAR THOUGH I WOULD PREFER STONING TO DEATH FOR WHY SHOULD WE FEED HATERS OF FELLOW HUMANS.

  3. GUN

    March 28, 2012 at 9:25 am

    Be polite when dealing with such issues,when you continue using a mouth not co-ordinating with the brain like before,you will be shoked with how far the movement has reached.Good luck.

  4. Mark Sikufele

    March 28, 2012 at 9:26 am

    The explanation is 100% right .72 tribes against 1 tribe it wont work unless we unite with the other tribes

  5. Lion

    March 28, 2012 at 9:26 am

    @leon.. YOU ARE REALLY GREAT. THESE GUYS ARE TOO TRIBAL AND GOD WILL NEVER ALLOW THEM TO RULE ZAMBIA COZ OF THEIR TRIBAL MINDS. WHY NOT IMITATE BEMBAS WHO WILL EVER RULE THIS COUNTRY. ELIAS CHIPIMO JNR IS A GOOD COMING POLITICAL LEADER WITH A POLITICALLY SOUND MIND. LONG LIVE YOUNG MAN.

  6. nsofwa ndl

    March 28, 2012 at 9:41 am

    what sad story to read please revisit your decision thank you may God bless all the lozies

  7. Guru of Knowledge

    March 28, 2012 at 9:43 am

    A stubborn flies follows the corpse to the grave. Greed of one man affects thousands. My Lozi country men do not start what you may noy finish… Be Cautioned….

  8. *Faustina*

    March 28, 2012 at 9:55 am

    Give them the land and see hw they are going to govern

  9. wezi k

    March 28, 2012 at 10:00 am

    its true, en to make matters worse, not all lozis are pushing for this.they have families en livelyhoods all across Zambia. now tell, wat will they chose, siding wit few chaps wit a baseless agenda, or there families? ?

  10. wezi k

    March 28, 2012 at 10:00 am

    its true, en to make matters worse, not all lozis are pushing for this.they have families en livelyhoods all across Zambia. now tell, wat will they chose, siding wit few chaps wit a baseless agenda, or there families? ?food for thought.

  11. JUNIOR MAFIA

    March 28, 2012 at 10:04 am

    FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AM CONGRATULATING BWEZANI FOR SENDING THOSE POLICEMEN WHO WRECKED HAVOC IN MONGU.LOZIS ARE A PROBLEM, IN THIS ERA AND AGE THEY WANT TO BREAK ZAMBIA APART INSTEAD OF JUST ASKING THE GVT TO DEVELOP THE AREA.
    WE SHOULD SEND MORE POLICEMEN THERE AND ACCOMODATE THEM AT ALL THE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE AREA.

  12. Ayatollah

    March 28, 2012 at 10:09 am

    Every man brags about his DICK, no matter how small! Barotseland is not 7 districts. Give them a referendum within the boundaries of the original Barotseland

  13. Igwala-gwala

    March 28, 2012 at 10:14 am

    imagine the 72 against 1 please mwe buntu what has come over the loziz,whats bad about enjoying the peace we have.being a leader is something that comes from GOD that’s why we say leaders are born.we shouldn’t be falsing matters,lets also know that GOD looks unto the heart of man and not the outward looks of a person,therefore he knows why certain tribes cannot lead the mojority/a nation.LOZIZ should know that if it’s Gods will for them to deny sharing a room with their fellow humans then all will be fine for them but if they are doing it out of frastration/greed then let them be ready for the outcome.

  14. mwewa

    March 28, 2012 at 10:27 am

    lozis take heed of wise words, very wise man indeed! some pipo are wise others are otherwise!

  15. Lozi

    March 28, 2012 at 10:35 am

    Am not for the Idea of seccession. This wil lead to ethnic/tribal conflicts and more confusions. Besides, many Lozis have inter married & they ar happy with their families. From an economic point of view, economics puts emphasis on regional economic integration.

  16. EX-ZAMBIAN

    March 28, 2012 at 10:39 am

    I THINK THE PROBLEM HERE IS BAROSTEES HAVE ASKED ENOUGH AND HAVE BEEN CHEATED ENOUGH THATS DA REASON. SO ITS MADNESS TO SAY ASKING FOR DEVELOPMENT FROM GOVERNMENT NOR ANY TALK. ITS NOW IRREVERSIBLE UNLESS THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT BRIBES THE INTERNATIONAL COURT COZ AS WE SPEAK NOW THE ISSUE HAS ALREADY BEEN TABLED TO INTERNATIONAL COURT.

  17. mwewa

    March 28, 2012 at 10:41 am

    in every country where there’s war and civil strife, there’s only one out of many at the centre of the controversy. sometimes external influence plays a role, but can some1 tell me, Zambia has been a peaceful country since independence, are lozis willing to forego the peace and become architects of division and civil unrest in zed?

  18. jerrywhite

    March 28, 2012 at 10:51 am

    An agreement is an agreement,4 yo own information we know the resources we ve,refrain from comenting on issues u do not understand,we respect our lozi leaders ,so mind yo language.BRAVO BRC,,,,

  19. Evan

    March 28, 2012 at 10:54 am

    Put one or two in jail for treason and then they will know know that zambias law are still exisiting in that land. Bt again in my language we say mwana akalila bonzo nikumupasa.

  20. Why Does Truth Hurt So Much?

    March 28, 2012 at 10:59 am

    We shall decide our destiny.47 years have proved that indeed oil and water cant mix.Barotseland (SP,WP,NWP) cant mix with Northern Rhodesia.We are doing Northern Rhodesia a favour by leaving them so that they have less task to develop their country.Barotseland is ALIVE and shall ALWAYS be ALIVE

  21. PF WINE

    March 28, 2012 at 11:06 am

    Tribalism will never enrich you my cousins. Think carefully.

  22. Sikufele

    March 28, 2012 at 11:09 am

    In 1968/69, Kapwepwe resigned from Kaunda’s government for a few days. Reason: My people are suffering, meaning the Bembas. In return, Kaunda who is a Malawian, identified with Bembas and even bought properties there and lastly carved to the cry of one Kapwepwe. The status quo has never been the same from that time for Bembas. They passed through this road and they know it better. But what is happening now? Bembas are closing their eyes and ears to reality and labels Lozis to be greedy and tribalistic. They were listened to in 1968/9 when that wiseman SMK cried against against Kaunda’s regime and today they are playing holier than though! No! The one who wears a shoe, knows where it hurts. Argue with facts especially hitorical facts JUNIOR MAFIA and those who think like you. Yes, we are one people, but if the one tribe feels short changed, you are most likely going to have what is now obtaining in Barotseland.

  23. Sikufele

    March 28, 2012 at 11:19 am

    Let Kaunda come into the fray not H E Sata, not former President Banda, not late former President Mwanawasa and certainly not late former President Chiluba. The back stops at Kaunda and only him can assist in breaking the current stalemate becaused he reigned and appended his signature on this document. Fellow bloggers, lets argue inteligently and not calling Lozis unprintable names. This adding fire to the already volatile situation. God bless Zambia and God bless H E Sata wherever he is in India.

  24. Roughrider

    March 28, 2012 at 11:27 am

    Cycle Mata Chilufyanya is one to blame.Careless political statements whereby the mouth does not co-ordinate with the brain will surely plunge this country into chaos.Allow secession so that anarchy takes centre stage and massive bloodshed must be recorded and the issue will come to an end.Without Lozis dying in number the problem will still be facing us.

  25. kudya nikusheta

    March 28, 2012 at 11:35 am

    Just arrest the chaps on the center of this barotse crap things will be back to normal,some guy says this matter is at international court which international court coz i work at international court and the cases we have Taylor and DRC cases u moron…we have better things to do barotse my foot

  26. Tonga man

    March 28, 2012 at 11:38 am

    @Mark Sikufele. Sorry for your ignorance sir, Lozi is not a tribe. It is a language, you can’t find a lozi, all who are in barotseland are Lozis. So it is not 1tribe vs 72. How many tribes are in Barotseland alone? All those form what we call Lozi. Get your reserch well sir.

  27. Igwala-gwala

    March 28, 2012 at 11:42 am

    bo sikufele there’s something in what you are saying but do you remember that you loziz refused to have shoprite in your province? do you recall wel wel that there was a brewing company that wanted to establish in mongu but you denied it’s establishment? answer on behalf of your coleagues as to why you refused to have companies,do you even realise that those guys could have created employment in the barotseland? now you are here crying,crying to who? from your explanation,the bembas accepted what kk was doing to them that’s why they are quite

  28. Fault Finder

    March 28, 2012 at 11:45 am

    WE NEED MORE COUNTRIES IN AFRICA AND LESS TRIBES IN ZAMBIA. SINCE WESTERN PROVINCE HAS PLENTY TO DO WITH THE ZAMBEZI RIVER I PROPOSE THAT THE NEW COUNTRY (WHICH IS ONLY A PART OF BAROTSELAND) BE NAMED “WEST ZAMBIA.” HA HA HA HA!

  29. SCRAMBLE FOR ZAMBIA

    March 28, 2012 at 11:48 am

    WHERE IS SUPER KEN (KENNETH KAUNDA)WE NEED YOUR INPUT ON THIS ONE

  30. boondocks

    March 28, 2012 at 11:59 am

    Educate me pliz. How many tribes or ethinic groupings do we have in western province? Do you think the other tribes will be loyal to the lozi monarch? i mean they have their own royal establishments just look at the number of traditional ceremonies being held in that province. for how long will these remain royal to the lozi at the expense of their own royal establishments? will the lozi blame these when they too will demand for separation from the lozi monarch? H.E Sata asked support from the lozi to win the elections using BRE issues, the lozi are asking other tribe groupings in the province to win support for separation, you are opening a can of worms. do be supprised when you have separations inside the the separated.

  31. GUN

    March 28, 2012 at 12:02 pm

    @Tonga man. Your shallow research is misleading you aisha! Lozi is a tribe jst like Nkoya,luvale,Nyengo,Mbunda,Luchazi all found in wp,the lozi tribe comprises of Kwamashi,Mbowe, Ndundulu and Aluyana. Mbundas and luchazi were given land because they use to perform some magic tricks to entertain litunga,Nkoyas and Nyengos used to dance and still do it dorind Kuomboka,i end here for now.

  32. GUN

    March 28, 2012 at 12:04 pm

    I meant during kuomboka.

  33. Mulozi

    March 28, 2012 at 12:07 pm

    Ignorance is really a terrible sickness! How many tribes are there in Western Province? One? I guess a wise man will get back to his history book before expossing their ignorant publicly. Do you actually know that LOZI is not a tribe but a LANGUAGE? Who then are the Lozis? If you can answer this question, then you will stop saying 1tribe against 72.

  34. Tonga man

    March 28, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    @GUN. When did Lozi come into being in western province, get your history right sir. Unless you talk of the Aluiyanas, Lozi and Luyana are two different languages.

  35. KAMEMBYA

    March 28, 2012 at 12:23 pm

    BRAVO MY LOZI COUSINS,THESE BEMBAS ARE ROGUES.LET SOUTHERN PROVINCE AND WESTERN BE ONE COUNTRY.

  36. Mpangula Mputyu

    March 28, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    Is it the Litunga fanning trouble in the background or he has no altenative but to do as the people he rules demand?

  37. Eshu the Comfuser of men.

    March 28, 2012 at 12:28 pm

    y making liato a president of yo land?

  38. kapilipili

    March 28, 2012 at 12:32 pm

    this issue is serious and deserves the seriousness it deserves before it turns ugly, you never know who is behind our brothers in the west. The government should amicably find a solution with the level headedness it should accommodate because our brothers are serious and are agitated. Lets not pretend there is no issue here, this is no becoming extremely serious and there are no two ways about it, threats or intimidation of any sort wont do us any good but will add more salt to the wound. Please, let us find a way of as a people to resolve this in the best interest of all, help govt in anyway possible were we can for us to have a peaceful conclussion to this “PROBLEM”.

  39. kamembya

    March 28, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    one zambia one nation let them realize dat zambia is bigger than western province

  40. Fault Finder

    March 28, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    ZAMBIANS MUST LEARN TO LET GO. LET THE LOZIS GO AND I PROPOSE THEY NAME THEIR NEW COUNTRY “WEST ZAMBIA” AND NOT “BAROTSELAND” SINCE THERE IS ALREADY A REGION BY THAT NAME; WP IS ONLY PART OF IT. WHO KNOWS, ONE DAY ZAMBIA MAY PLAY WEST ZAMBIA IN AFCON.

  41. Masturbator

    March 28, 2012 at 1:03 pm

    Lets condemn our leaders in govt. Western province z the least developd in zed. Our govt have nt bn putting enough effort in developing the land. If al provinces were lyk kopala,central,lusaka & southern such conflicts cud hv bn no more. I condemn all presidents of zambia 4 their selfishnes and desire to fulfil their own interests. I think even we people of northwestern can join lozies in deliberating our own land infact we have abundant of resource including minerals & oil. Atase ukwa & yo team fuseki!

  42. kwa muntonyo

    March 28, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    Us people from southern province are in support of the Barotseland breaking away from Zambia. These Bembas think Zambia is theres. We will have our own country known as BAROTONGA LAND

  43. telebwe

    March 28, 2012 at 1:06 pm

    it has not been approved yet those were just endorsements by the chiefs from those districts lets hear from the government its position on this matter.my cousins lozis zambia is well known for peace let the one backing the litunga come out in the open and tell us,otherwise your king will never test the real kingship,so right now am going to send my wife leyalui.and for your own information you have doctors,hospital,schools,industries that favors zambia,yes we know that you guys are selfish but all of you,those who want to be respected let them go

  44. SANGOMA

    March 28, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    I SMELL BLOOD IN WESTERN PROVINCE, LOZI BLOOD

  45. fekam

    March 28, 2012 at 1:29 pm

    Its easy to fire a gun but you can’t control the impact. I have always said, the BEST fight is the one fought after the first fight is fought. Some times to enjoy the benefits we need a little of personal sacrifices. I very sure most of people have been suppressed and intimidated by the so called representatives.

    Maybe its time Zambia experienced civil war or its time for Zambian soldiers to be at the battle front and learn practically how to shoot.

    Been wise sometimes it self betrayal.The TRUTH is meant for the few leaving the majority in the dark.
    KILL THE PRESENT AND PRESERVE THE FUTURE IS MY SLOGAN

    BRE, If I love the brother, I shall do no harm to him, but the scripture has to be fulfilled which say” Nation shall rise against Nation” of which Zambia is not an exemption

  46. Katongo

    March 28, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    Tribalism should be confined to History books. It is a backward way of thinking that such and such a tribe is superior or inferior. Kaunda encouraged intermarriages amongst the tribes because he believed in One Zambia, One Nation. We have numerous examples of such marriages. Look at the urban cities, nobody talks about tribes there but just that we are all Zambians!

  47. Pulamasaka

    March 28, 2012 at 1:53 pm

    the kolwestans will remain alone..we are all going..

  48. mwansa kapeya on tuesday

    March 28, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    no comment, let us wait and see

  49. Tobela

    March 28, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    Those of u insulting bembas is it de bembas who signed o kaunda n is kaunda bemba.stop insulting us

  50. I come in peace!

    March 28, 2012 at 2:37 pm

    All these are valid comments and I commend the author for his writing his thought which i agree 101%. The other point to add is that; there must be reform within the BRE as regards to a location of land to those perceived non lozis, currently the Litunga has power over land and as an investor you can not obtain a title deed but tenure at the pleasure of the BRE. Now they wonder why they do not get any economic benefits.

    Its about time the ordinary Lozi opened their eyes to reality realise that the issue is not about them but the benefit of the few elite Lozis, most of them who have worked, enjoyed life, and retired. They are just bored and looking for excitement.

    The current Ngambela was in the previous governments cabinet, why didn’t he champion the BRE grievances then? just because he has lost an election he wants to create havoc, what a HYPOCRITE!!!!!!

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