We refute the claims by the Zambian police force that Mr. Namushi Nyambe and Mr. Lubasi Mukamba have been involved in recruiting retired security personnel to give military training to some Barotse people. We see this as an attempt by the state to tarnish our peaceful image as Barotse activists and thereon find an excuse to harm us in any way possible. Such machination will not help the situation the country of Zambia is currently in concerning Barotseland.
We have always pointed out that solving this issue does not need any violence at all and it is the state that, to no avail, has always used violence to silence us. The Barotse people are still committed to peace and will not engage in any dealings that may jeopardize that position.
We, however, would like to warn the Zambian government that any use of violence against our people will only make a bad situation worse. Our position is clear. We have chosen to disengage with Zambia and we have given reasons for that.
We do not overlook the fact that Zambian security forces which have been amassed in Barotseland have been professional so far by not inciting our people. This is the behaviour we expect from the State.
There is, therefore, no reason for us to undermine the existing tranquillity by doing what we know very well that will only result in the suffering of our people yet again. What happened on 14th January 2011 must not be allowed to repeat itself. The State must avoid negatively capitalising on mere rumours. We expect the said investigation to be complete soon and the Zambian public be told of their outcome.
This is contained in a statement by Shuwanga Shuwanga (BFM International Relations ) received by Lusakatimes.
Earlier this week a joint team of Security wings in Western Province recorded a warn and caution statement for two Kaoma based Barotseland Activists for allegedly trying to recruit security officers for new Barotseland.
Provincial Police Commissioner Fanwell Siandenge confirmed the development and identified the duo as Leonard Mukamba 72 and Chairman for the renowned Barotse Freedom Movement (BFM) Namushi Nyambe aged 63 years.
Mr. Siandenge said the two who cooperated during the questioning are alleged to have approached a named retired security officer to recruit and train people for the said new Barotseland as security officers.
These two old fools want to plunge our country in chaos
The sad truth is that this issue is not going anywhere as far as I can see. So far the President has not made any official announcements since BNC Resolutions were published. That’s a non-verbal way of telling these guys that their non-starter BFM is not even on his Top Ten agenda items.
In a nutshell, the BFM is nothing but another one of those things that comes and goes. If they are a movement as they purport to be, where and who is funding them without following legal channels, everything about them is treasonous and they should be ready to blame themselves if and when the law visits them.
There’s so much power in numbers and the BNC thinks it can build an economy in WP without resources, how unpractical, unrealistic, and unbelievably myopic … this too shall pass. Rest easy
Mumba,
I think you are undermining the people’s resolve. Say what you may, but keep watching this space for what will happen. The president’s only choices are do nothing and let it happen, talk it out and still let it happen, or fight a war and still let it happen! There is no turning back now!!!
Well put B R M. These people have never come across Dr Kaunda’s “MY BOYS.” That’s why they keep singing without singing. And true also is that the government believes it has more serious problems such as poverty reduction, job creation and economic emancipation to worry about a bunch of cowards who only signed the so called barotse agreement with the british to gain protection from the menacing arab slave traders.
‘this issue is not going anywhere’……….provide evidence please. Rather than express subjective views, I would suggest that you examine key issues surrounding the calls by the BNC and raise the standard of the debate to an intellectual level. BNC is not saying they can develop Barotseland in 90 days! This issue is older than all of us, so perhaps it will, by burying our heads in the sand long enough, disappear. I doubt it. I think we have a good opportunity to demonstrate to the world that Zambia is a mature democracy, as we have done over and over again. What a shame if we lost such a grand opportunity to attract foreign capital investment through good governance. I see an opportunity here.
NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE. LET THEM NOT TAKE THE GOVT FOR GRANTEED. THINGS CAN TURN BAD FOR THEM.
Even with best of intentions no sane govt can the restore BA64 in its original state. It ought to be renegotiated to take into account of other ethnic groups in WP and the domino effect it may create among other ethnic groups which may also seek autonomy. Talking secession is outside the provisions of BA64. If Lozis COLLECTIVELY want to become foreigners in Zambia (will need passports and work permits to work in zambia and vice versa) and tear down the families/interethnicl marriages and their investments in other parts of Zambia, NO BLOOD should be shed to prevent them.We should wish them well.The time to make that decision is NOW. Otherwise we as a nation, ZAMBIA will always be held at ransom. I DONT LIKE BEING HELD AT RANSOM. AND I SEE NO NEED TO FORCE UNITY WITH UNWILLING TRIBALISTS
Ba Theoretician:
The other day ZESCO cut off power in Mongu, the same guys started crying foul … the BFM and BNC can’t afford even to generate power in the WP without help from the rest of Zambia. Just how are they going to build up an economy in a void is beyond me … how unpractical, unrealistic, and unbelievably myopic … this too shall pass. Rest easy!!
The so called LOZI people think that they can form a NEW COUNTRY with Blood then they must be joking.The advocates of the so called Barotseland are old people (63 and 72 years) who are finished and do not even care whether war breaks out or not.
These advocates are not telling the people of Western Province the truth otherwise they are supposed to be charged with Treason and nothing else.
Dollar
The smaller a country is, the better in terms of management. There is sense in the call to have zambia & Barotseland. The present arrangement allows development only in the ruling party strongholds. The positioning of the finance minister and his deputy who both are from the same region is highly suspicious.
#2 you are right,MYOPIC is what these old fools are
The lozi in Namibia are praying this succeeds cos when they tried something similar Nujoma crushed it to pulp
But I hear Ukwa has overwhelming evidence that BA1964 is real and legal binding agreement as it united two separate bodies into a country called Zambia. It is now abrogated. Sata has seen this. What can he say honestly? I know many pipo like Br Mumba sr will die on 30 june 2012 when Barotseland finally separates itself from Zambia. I cant wait that day Ba sir!
NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE. TREASON IS THE ANSWER TO THE SO CALLED DISENGAGEMENT FROM ZAMBIA.
Allow us to mourn princess with dignity!
Just a bunch of fools masquerading as the voice of Western Province. Wait until you come face to face with the commandos. The fracas of January 2011 will look like kids play. Ask us from the Copperbelt what they did to us during the 1986 riots or Captain Solo! You people have no idea what you are dealing with, and the only thing saving you right now, is because we strongly believe in One Zambian One Nation and the intergration of so many lozis through marriage into the rest of Zambia.
What I cannot imagine is how someone can wake up one day feeling very tribal and decides to create a group of a primitive tribe with childish demands.May be some of us have moved too quickly into the 21st Century and the thought of a ‘tribal’ gathering is not only uncivilised but also an embarrassment to Zambia.
@8, Didier Zokora:
The agreement may be binding, but that cuts both ways, doesn’t it? Because the same document does not insinuate in any way the kind of nonsense the BNC or BFM are engaging themselves in. From the moment the so called Barotseland chose to be part of a larger society named Zambia, anybody who tries to do anything contrary to the laws and Constitution of the republic is certainly committing a crime. In this case even TREASON. Under our constitution(including “Barotseland” too), there is only one President and one central govt at a time. If you cannot appreciate this simple fact, wait until they start hauling all of you to court.
Cont…from #13:
And when was the BA64 abrogated? Because what happened in 1969 was perfectly legal under the agreement. You can interpret the actions the Zambian govt (parliament) took in 1969 anyway you want, but the BA64 certainly does not say such an action is strictly prohibited. Nor does the BA64 slams the door shut on further adjustments or improvements to the agreement.
Very innocent citizens, no need to harass them.
We shall prevail
Why is everyone here just talking about violence? Can’t we come up with something brainy to say? Violence will escalate to levels that will take the country back 100 years, including key investments lost to neighboring countries. Before you start to talk about guns and commandos, say something constructive otherwise post your comments elsewhere.
Barotseland is neither without precedent nor plenty of company. Quebec,Abkhazia,Chechnya,Ogaden,Biafra,Texas,Basque country,Kurdistan,Tibet,Somaliland & even Mombasa have all tried or are trying breakaways.In all the back and forth hurling of accusations and half truths regarding the BA64 i’ve never heard the word “autonomy” discussed as a possible middleground.Catalonia in Spain is an autonomous region and it could serve as a possible solution that’ll preserve the unity of zed while giving the Lozis more say in their region.Just a thought.
Great thought. However, how many people think like you. Almost 50 years down the line of independence and we cant resolve a simple issue like this one. Speaks volumes about our capacity to run the economy I tell you that. Well, I hope we had you as the decision maker, or to influence the decision making process.
Miles of onsults, Kilometers of ridicule. Mountations of Ignorance, seas of unrehearsed arguments. Bloggers should do better.
Miles of insults, Kilometers of ridicule. Mountains of Ignorance, seas of unrehearsed arguments. Bloggers should do better.
“Truth is stronger than lies”
Said with sanctity, “Life is stronger than death. Good is stronger than evil. Love is stronger than hate. Truth is stronger than lies” Pope Benedict XVI.
Still, Benedict worried in his homily: “The darkness that poses a real threat to mankind, after all, is the fact that he can see and investigate tangible material things, but cannot see where the world is going or whence it comes, where our own life is going, what is good and what is evil.”
Pope Benedict XVI, “If God and moral values, the difference between good and evil, remain in darkness, then all other ‘lights,’ that put such incredible technical feats within our reach, are not only progress but also dangers that put us and the world at risk,” Benedict added.
The simplicity and self-protruding ignorance among some bloggers is alarming and revealing a lot. No wonder our tired politicians are laughing at “imisepela” because of some blog posts coming too hollow to believe. Thank God consecutive regimes’ National policies from State security, regional to socio-economics draw no input from such because it is devoid of basic knowledge. The social media is a noble platform of idea generation and engagement but the simplicity and ignorance of some bloggers is seriously alarming.
Apparently, I have arrived at a similar conclusion. If this platform can be used as a yardstick of Zambia’s human capacity index (or something to that effect), Im afraid our capacity to engage in logic, and reason is far too low for a country that aspires to become developed by 2030. This is serious, actually Lozis are proving to be far more logical, and we do not seem to match their logical approaches to the arguments put forward. But then, its hardly surprising isnt it?
“Truth is stronger than lies”
Absolutely.
all u pepl dont seem to take ths isu seras. your heroded comandos are only trained humans and this is not the presave of the govmnt. the lozis can and will also train if this unreasoning and call to silence them continues. then all u fools will be running for cover. am not sure SA will be acomdng. then u will have to face katumbi. This NTOLELEFYE attitude must stop and as a country we must seat with the BNC and find some comon ground. No one will be safe if Zambia is set on fire.
BNF & BMF my foot! The law does not support ignorance. Look @ what happened in Namibia? You resolve your issues with Nkoyas & Mbundas before taking on the Zambian govt. Few selfish old men, that’s all! Lozis are intelligent and educated people, but someone is busy sowing divisions.
@22 You are very correct.
Where do the Lozis put Nkoyas ,Luvales, Mbundas? Selfish old men .
Dont blame yourselves when young boys start squeezing your balls.
All anti 1964BA , BASHIPA AMINA MUTWILE. Aluta continua with Barosteland. Just concentrate on the funeral of your dead citimukulu , the child abuser, ewanyele imbalal shibili.
My man, not like that. Lets uphold our Zambian values of respect whatevr the case may be. Im not convinced you are a Lozi or bemba.
Barotseland shall be free. Never argue with a full, people might not notice the difference.
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