By Dr. Chiyaba Njovu
It is very saddening to see recent developments in our Country over an on-going Barotseland issue that dates back to the colonial era. Ever since I became a student of basic history in my student days, I learnt about this agreement which for all intentions and purposes was a history lesson for us to learn how mining rights were acquired in Zambia by the British South African (BSA) Company. Little did I know that this seemingly outdated piece of contract would be a subject of upheavals in our Country. I am neither a Lawyer nor a Historian so forgive me if my thoughts are misplaced. To the best of my knowledge, I had always assumed that the Barotse Agreement was amicably resolved when Dr. K. D. Kaunda agreed to incorporate Barotseland as our Western Province in Zambia at the time of Independence. If my knowledge serves me well, this issue was dead and buried until after the re-introduction of multi-party politics in 1991. If we are to be sincere, I am sure most of the youths of Barotseland who are being used to spearhead the restoration of this agreement neither know its contents nor have they ever read it. To them, it is a story they hear about when they gather around the fire places with their grandparents or great grandparents for those who may be lucky enough to have lived to see their fourth generations in the family.
I am neither going to apportion blame on the Lozis nor am going to say that they may not be entitled to discuss this subject. There may be merits and demerits on either side of the story but as pragmatic leaders, what are we supposed to do under the circumstances? We need to solve the problem. Legal arguments or moral arguments do not solve social problems in most cases. It is constructive engagement with the people concerned that solves such problems. We all know that use of force does not solve a problem but suppresses dissenting views at that particular time. This is undesirable and therefore pragmatism demands that we clearly define the problem and put it in context once more. The Barotse agreement had its purpose at the time and possibly served its purpose at the time. With changing times, would that agreement still serve the purpose for which it was designed? This was an agreement signed long before Zambia came into existence in 1964. One would imagine that any discussion of this issue should take into consideration the changes that have taken place since 1964. Failing to recognise this fact would be missing the point and the problem will not be resolved.
As a democracy, it is our responsibility to ensure that every citizen’s views are heard and respected. We all have our rights and responsibilities but failing to honour your responsibilities would robe others of their rights. That must be made clear. The people advocating for anarchy are robbing other well meaning citizens of their right to enjoy freedom. As a start, I would suggest that the government constructively engages the clandestine Barotse Patriotic Front and/or the Barotse Restoration Movement together and listen to them. The idea is to let them educate the nation of their true intentions and what they hope to achieve. They might have some valid points which are distorted by third party reporting. These reports may be misleading the nation. There is no need to threaten them with arrest as they are entitled to air their grievances on matters that affect their well being.
It is after these aggrieved people have stated their case that the government could respond to their issues in the context of Zambia today and see if their grievances truly emanate from the abrogation of the Barotse Agreement by the Zambian government. The Barotse Agreement may be used as a decoy for other motives. There may be some ulterior motives by some power hungry people who may be hiding behind the Barotse Agreement and that would easily come out if these people were openly given a forum to present their case to the nation. That is what the nation needs to know. What is the real problem?
I would urge government to accord them such a forum as a matter of urgency to avoid further losses of innocent lives. This is an election year and this issue could be potentially explosive if not properly handled. It is always nice to talk and openly dissect issues in a transparent and honest manner. If these people fail to come out in the open then government would be perfectly in order to halt any further discussions as they would have been proved not to be interested in serving the interests of their Country. Once their grievances are heard and put into context, the nation should be allowed to air their views and see whether consensus would be reached and the matter settled once and for all. I am sure most Zambians may also have a say once matters are transparently discussed with a view to solving the problem. And I am sure consensus would be reached as we all know the benefits of a United Zambia that enjoys peace and tranquility. Our Children deserve development and not the resurrection of historical graves. And time spent discussing matters that would leave Barotseland a better place than it was would be most welcome by most well meaning Zambians.
To sum up, I would really be happy to see a Zambia where people lived above tribal considerations. For those of us that went to truly national Schools, tribal issues were never heard of but only in jokes amongst tribal cousins. Why should Zambia be divided according to tribal regions in this day and era? We always pride ourselves as an example of a Country where unity truly works in a nation but the readings over the past few weeks are really saddening. One-Zambia and One-Nation motto still stands for me and means well. I am sure that most Lozis would not want to see that happen and would rather see development projects evenly distributed in all provinces according to what their land resources can support. These are the kind of progressive issues we need to be discussing in this day and era. For example, a deliberate scheme to encourage massive production of rice in Western Province would help create employment and get most youths out of poverty. Fully exploiting the water resources to allow for commercial fishing would be another idea to help alleviate poverty. In my view, anyone talking development and/or decentralised management of development resources would have my support as local knowledge is always useful in solving local problems. There is real value in using local knowledge in development planning. But to talk about restoring agreements that may not mean much to the common man is in my view stretching it too far. Let us move with changing times and live for a better tomorrow. One Zambia and One Nation!!!
Dr Njovu, I agree with you, i am so impressed with your intellectual thoughts. When are you becoming a ‘General ‘ sir, i hope you are not still captain.
Dr Elephant,in one breath you advocate dialogue and in the next breath you become jury saying this agreement is archaic and does not merit ressurecting.Whats the point of discussing with the BRE and others when you already have a judgement.
The only valid point you have raised here is that this matter is now more prominent now due to lack of development and not only in Barotseland but in most parts of Zambia.
Decentralised federal powers are most welcome in all the Provinces in Zambia going by the voting patterns in most rural communities.
Well said. I have read the agreement my self. I don t see any area of contention nor any area were the two parties may have abrogated. I believe sitting down with these Barotse organisatios can work and is the best way forward, but what if they refuse and say they just want either restoration or ceseding? I donot see any problem here except some one wants to hide in this agreement and achieve personal goals. Any one can tell me forexample any area of difference in the agreement so that we know what we are talking about.
“Forgive me if my thoughts are misplaced”
You are forgiven express your ignorance.
Tensions are complex by their very nature, more so when they involve inter-ethnic relations. Ethninicity is a cornerstone of a nationhood. When tension between two groups arise we must in the first place examine to understand the cause of conflict.What is the nature of the antagonism between these two groups is a fundumental and basic question we must confront. It aught not surprise us how and why differences in language, virtues, customs, traditions can cause suspicions and hostilities. Often ethnic hostilities may reflect economic antagonism deeper than the face value. Hostilities could sometimes be the expression of ethnic differences manifesting alongside economic differences.
Often out of these deep-seated psychological needs, could result in a collective ideology if shared by large numbers of individuals and eventually rationalized into political ideology directed against another ethnic group. In other words deep-seated psychological needs, differences in value or economic antagonism become a rallying point and become the basis of tension between ethnic groups. On the surface, it may appear as a simple struggle between two ethnically different groups but the major factor for the tensions must be identified if we are to find a reasonable solution or direction.
Well Preached Priest!
ALA BEE maiche sana. Nili bad.
Thank you for the artlcle we have forgiven ur ignorance for u were blessed that u went to a National School and thanks for cheating that there was no tribalism in Zambia. Its people like u who bring confusion for u say one thing and mean the other. If there was no tribalism why did Kaunda put an emphasis on One Zambia One Nation???? u old fools have always been in denial thats why we have these problems. Stop arresting poor pipo just allow Zambians to discuss this issue everything will be fine. No one wants war!!!!!!!
The Lozis by and large are a peaceful lot and I cannot find any good reason why some amongst them have reacted in the manner they have. Across the broad spectrum of our ethnic divides and tribes are found different customs and values, expectations and hardship which in our diversity yet share. Therefore no Province or tribe is better or worse-of than the other which our successful nation integration by the moto of ‘one Zambia one nation’ has guaranteed common empathy – amongst all. The gist of the trouble in Western Province appears to me is nothing to do with ethnicity nor collective ideology as a result of deep-seated psychological needs nor economic antagonism but a machination of a dark hand.
This man is worthy called a DOCTOR, not that kashirt human being of Mundia of the other day. what this doctor has said is really true. we need to know what really the problem is. then from there genuinely people should be able to say their mind. our tradition settings have been accorded the art of using palava. where is the african palava in this case? can’t our leaders sit down and talk over this issue? what i personally want to hear and see is that the leader of the Barotse, the Litunga himself and the President of the nation sit down and talk, no need of representation but the leaders themselves talk over this issue. form them we will be able perhaps to listen.
if you read that docement very well is there any part where there is validity,
Njovu i do not expect anything good because you do not like us. what you have written is rubbish and biased beause it is based on hear say, talk to them and them
Dr Njovu I wonder what your Phd is in. the problem of Barotseland emanates from your statement: I had always assumed that the Barotse Agreement was amicably resolved when Dr. K. D. Kaunda agreed to incorporate Barotseland as our Western Province in Zambia at the time of Independence. it because KK annulled the agreement alone this why it keeps coming up. THe agreement was signed by 3 parties and why should it take one party (KK) to annul it?
well said. the only point i am missing is can these BRM engage govt if it does not engage them? thats can they start the dialogue if govt. does not open it? otherwise i totally agree: the document may not serve its purpose in present day, its archaic, however, we can’t run away from it as such we should listen to those calling for its restoration. so govt. initial dialogue or allow them to initiate it….lets here their speech…we are a democracy….give them chance to explain what they want
Dr Chiyaba Njovu, speak with your brother Kamwendo Munjila Kanintundila to release all the youth they have arrested by charging them with a simple misdemeanor so that he can sit down not only with Litunga, who his government pays, as such he is compromised, but also with leaders of the BFM and BPF. The bible says, ‘there is life in listening’, but alas our HERB is stubborn. Stubborness is a very poor trait to have! So we will wait and see how this saga of charging young people with treason will be received by people of western province!
Zambian electral history has always tilted on tribal lines.
many politicians underpaly the power of tribe in all these instances.
am married to a bemba though am tonga, we have lovely kids.
I remeber the time i sent my wife to go and stay for a while with my parents.It was first hard for me to convince then that she was a good woman.It appears, old folks are the culprits in tribalism.
When she stayed 3 months with them they completely refused that my wife was a Bemba, i received a letter from mum that you sent us an Angel here.
What am saying is tribe has always been a factor,no matter how we pretend.now most people propagation it are old folks,young folks has no problem mingling with each other.
Old folks are preachers of hate and are in the fore front inciting the young
peaceful means should be found to try and resolve that impass
with Lozis.lozis are like elephants they dont forget.what is happening today
will not pass unoticed.
I know the government has enough people to resolve that issue,can u imagine
no lozis are commenting now.not even those in govt and opposition.what do you think that means
Its Election Year Munyono.Watch this space!
I didn’t need to read the whole article to know that Dr. Njobvu makes sense. Dialogue will always reduce violence. Government needs to stop intimidating the Lozi people and hear their side, then make an informed decision in adjucating justice. However, I feel, from my experience, that Lozi people are tribalistic.
All tribes in Zambia practice tribalism. Do not be cheated. I am Ngoni, and each time I meet my Ngoni tribemen, I get more love than when I meet people from other tribes. It’s a social psycological concept, that people will always identify with people that look like themselves, period. If we accept this fact, then we can proceed in fighting tribalism and adjusting our attitudes and minds.
Dr Njovu, when people have made up their minds to murder innocent lives do you dialogue with them? You cannot dialogue with such but to use ruthless means to avert a blood bath. 2 Samuel 23:6-7
“6 But the sons of Beliel shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: 7 But the man that must touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall utterly be burned with fire in the same place.” The goverment took the right course of action to avert a blood bath. One thing you should know is that you were going to be the same people criticising the gov had they dialogued with these guys while the killing of innocent lives was taking place(in the midist of dialogue).
Churcill dialogued with Hitler and over 6 million lives were lost.
its a fact we are all tribalistic. I am half and i feel it when i always go to the other side. Especially with old folks. We will start putting these people in Nursing Homes like they do in Europe or USA, China whatever!! Most times they are a source of confusion. How many Lozi girls, Tonga girls have i dated?? and these girls were the most romantic. The worst ones i have dated were from my two tribes. We young people dont have issuses but the old folks.
I remember Mr. Chiyaba Njobvu taking us in M160 at UNZA in 1993. So he is now a Doctor. Congratulations Sir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#21, I agree with you, its scam of the world that profess to love all that’s most tribally bigoted inside. It’s in our diversity that we should find strength of unity and not silly UNIPIST slogans like “One Zambia, One Nation, One Nation, One Leader, and that Leader, Kaunda Wamuyaya” Every time I hear of thos One Zambia One Nation, I feel like puking remembering how that Malawan illegal immigrant would make us wait for hours at the Airports or call for press conferences to call us stu,p.id i.d.io.ts in our own country.
im glad u ve not been cited for …… all of u
Follow the Barotseland agreement discussion at pcmzambiadotcodotuk.
Can we have the Agreement published in full so that we make informed comments please. If it does not talk about secession, where does this treason come in ?
Thought for the DAY; The direct use of force is such a poor solution to any problem and it is only used by small children.
Dr Njovu is a tribalist who hates lozis. He claims that the Baqrotseland agrement was baurried and those who advocate for it do not know it or have nbever read it! this is utter nosense from a person holding a PHD. the truth is that LOZIs are hates in this country from the likes of njovu. while he is given a fora to express his sick opinions, we are denied the same fora. everyday we hear of people opposing the barotseland agreement, yet quoting the sides that promote thgeir greedy colinisation of vbarotseland, while our brothers and sister died in cold blood in mongu, a truth GRZ is still hiding todaY CLAIMING ONLY TWO DIED. Those people are tried for treason by a trrany regiome that imposes a crime on them! there only crime is that they are LOZIS and want to be part of zambia legally,
Dr Njovu is a tribalist and hate lozis! We know about the barotseland agreement. it is the agreement that made us to be part of zambia. to bury that agreement means to bury the terms by which we became part of zambia, and so we are no longer zambian! thats why this country intimidates lozis at every level! we cannot express ourselves on this matter or we shall be picked for treason. Since 1969, more than 400 people have now been arrested and detained ovber this issue.Zambians are evil and want to hold on to us, but rejecting the terms by which we agreed to be part od thwem. Thats why our parents are now being tried fior treason! this is a impeaslisim and colonial minds that zambia is slapping on lozis. that agreement should be in the consittion or else we shall never be zambians!
Bembas, Chewas, Tumbukas..they are busy hailing negative words against people who cannot defend themselves. they have the right to express their hatred agaisnt the Barotseland agreement, while we have no right to express our love and admiration for it! those galant soldiers of barotseland became unrully because they were denied self expression over a matter that concerns their birth rights. the police used teargas, buttons, slaps, kicks etc. Tell us why the police are guarding Lewanika general hosipial because they are afraid for people to see their brutality. there are people with gun wonds there, people with smashed heads for bpolice buttons. Is this why we surrendered our soverinity and became part of zambia?
It bothers me whn people say those fighting are being used and may have not even read the BA64. Well, you may wish to know that it is not only those youths you are told are passionate about this. It is a large number of the Barotse people. Today, many people can find these documents on the internet. Many of us, although very far from home just wish we were there too. We are everywhere: Mongu, Kaoma, Kitwe, Ndola, Kasama, Chipata, Johannesburg, Minnesota, mention it. We are in full support of this matter. It is our birthright people. We are not being used by politicians that is why you have seen that politicians are not going to Mongu these days to talk about Zambian politics. This is beyong partisan politics- like I have said before, it is a constitutional issue. Comrades open up!
#31 & #32: If you call people the author as tribalists, then we don’t know what opinion you will not label as such. I think Dr. Njovu has offered a balanced opinion which could lead to the solution of the problem. The idea is that what do you want to achieve? Do you want development or do you want the restoration of the agreement (and for what purpose?). Either way Dr. Njovu’s opinion does not robe of the key aspirations – what do you want to achieve?
NO. 32 / 31 Well said. The principle here is the spirit of the agreement. That spirit which led to the signing of the agreement is alive and well in the Barotse people. Not many of us may even like the BRE or the Litunga so much as to wish for the restoration on that basis. The calls for the restoration is a demand for justice. This demand for justice is a human cry. To try and repress it or dodge it or circumvent it or delude it or deride it or spurn it is not the answer. The answer is to right the wrong. Let justice prevail over the spirit of the agreement. Zambians supported that spirit then, I dont see any reasonable Zambian who would say the spirit of signing that document was wrong. Deliberate misinterpretation through media will only strengthen its correct interpretation.
BAROTSELAND – THE WAY FORWARD
NATIONAL RESTORATION PARTY
PRESS RELEASE
NAREP offers its condolences to all the families that have lost loved ones in the unrest that has been taking place in Western Province over the last few days. Our prayers also go out to those that have been injured. We wish them a quick and complete recovery. We believe that the situation could have been avoided and should never have resulted in loss of life.
NAREP believes that the only way forward is through carefully constructed dialogue within a spirit of restraint and tolerance from all sides. We consider that this problem is too large to be handled by government alone and that Government, as an interested party, has lost its neutrality in directing and leading this issue.
NAREP suggests and urgently…
nice article though I chose to differ with you on the use of force. What you should know is that force is necessary when the perpetrators of violence have made up their minds to kill innocent people. As you try to dialogue with them they will be killings will be going on. You people that have condemned the use of force would also have condemned the goverment for not using force to avert the killings.
nice article though I chose to differ with you on the use of force. What you should know is that force is necessary when the perpetrators of violence have made up their minds to kill innocent people. As you try to dialogue with them killings will be going on. You people that have condemned the use of force would also have condemned the goverment for not using force to avert the killings.
Hi, just wanted to say i liked this article.