Part 1
By Leemans L. Nyirenda
I begin by providing a brief background on how certain countries became embroiled in tribal and civil strife, leading to thousands, and in some instances millions, of deaths and displacements. I also examine the underlying causes of such conflicts. While there are always multiple causes for strife, it is often a single igniting event that triggers the onset of war or mass killings. Without this spark, many of the atrocities we have witnessed could have been avoided. I will present four examples:
Part One:
1.The 1994 Rwanda Genocide
2.The Gukurahundi Massacres of 1982 to 1987 in Zimbabwe
Part Two:
3. The 2007 Post-Election Tribal Violence in Kenya
4. World War One
1. The 1994 Rwanda Genocide
The 1994 Rwanda has a history that dates to 1950s when the conflict began. For almost a century,the Minority Tutsis ruled Rwanda. They acquired their land and wealth through conquest while the Hutus were regarded as the conquered and the less privileged or poor. Up to 1950s most of Tutsis generally occupied the higher positions in society while the Hutus were always relegated to the lower levels. With the movements on the African Continent gaining ground for independence in the 1950s and 1960s, the Hutus could not wait for democratic rule which entailed a one man one vote universal suffrage and stood to gain from majority rule while most of the Tutsi groupings resisted the democratization of Rwanda lest they lost their wealth and status in society.
In November 1959, came a violent Hutu uprising in which hundreds of Tutsis were killed and thousands displaced and forced to flee to neighboring countries marking the beginning of what came to be known as Hutu Peasant Revolution which lasted for three years from 1959 to 1961 and is reported to have signified the end of Tutsi domination but increased ethnic tensions between the two tribes and hostilities continued up to Independence in 1962. At independence when the Hutus came to power, 120 000 Rwandese mainly Tutsis became refugees in surrounding countries.
Guerilla Warfare and insurgency increased mainly from Uganda causing displacement of people and by late 1980s, there were 480 000 refugees in surrounding countries. This gave birth to the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) which was a Tutsi dominated political and military organization.This movement launched several military attacks on Rwanda from Uganda with the main one being in November 1990 with 7000 fighters and displaced thousands of people.
The igniting moment came in 1994 when the plane carrying both the Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi was brought down by what the Rwandan Government suspected was a rocket fired by the RPF and both presidents died in that plane crash. It was against this attack that the Rwandan Government allegedly labelled all Tutsis in Rwanda as accomplices to the RPF and all those Hutus who were collaborating with the Tutsi dominated RPF as traitors. It was further alleged that some radio stations aligned to the government joined the campaign in identifying who was a Tutsi and urged the Hutus to kill the “Cockroach.” The rest of the story is known to everyone. An estimated one million people were killed and hundred of thousands fled to neighbouring countries. Between 150 000 and 250 000 women were raped during the upheavals.
The Gukurahundi Massacres of 1982 to 1987 in Zimbabwe
It is not the author’s intention to open old wounds about the events that led to the massacre of people in the Midlands and Matebeleland but history cannot be erased. A brief history: The Gukurahundi massacres were a series of state-sanctioned killings that took place in Zimbabwe between 1982 and 1987. The massacres were allegedly ordered by Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU-PF) leader Robert Mugabe as part of his political strategy to establish a one-party state. The Zimbabwean army’s Fifth Brigade, which was trained by North Korea, carried out most of the atrocities and massacres in Matabeleland and Midlands, killing an estimated 20,000 civilians and thousands more were tortured or disappeared. The army also used the Bhalagwe concentration camp to execute the murders and withheld food aid to punish Ndebele opposition voters.
The similarities between Zimbabwe and Rwanda are that both countries comprise two main tribes and hence the struggle for power before the killings in both countries were between the two main tribes. This is different with Zambia where the country boasts of having 73 tribes and seven main languages. Zambia was blessed at independence because our forefathers did not look at one’s tribe but came together and united to defeat the colonialists. Zambia was also fortunate to have been blessed with Dr. Kenneth Kaunda who ensured that people did not identify themselves by tribe but by nationality. That was why a Zambian whether from West, East, South, North, Central or Northwest is identified first as a Zambian before thinking of knowing where the person comes from. In Rwanda, the killing of their president was a spark that led to the beginning of killings while the Church and the Media played a big role in spreading the killings. In Zimbabwe, it can
be argued that the killings were mainly based on tribal hatred. The main opposition party in Zimbabwe at that time was Zimbabwe African Peoples Union (ZAPU) led by Joshua Nkomo a Ndebele while the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union was led by a Shona Robert Mugabe.President Mugabe was trying to exterminate the opposition to pave way for a one-party state.
Politicians promoting tribal hatred in Zambia.
Any unchecked degeneration of political events in Zambia has the potential to spark some strife.We are lucky that because of the One Zambia One Nation philosophy that we embraced under Kaunda and has continued to be our guiding principle, there is so many intermarriages and cohesion that it would almost be impossible for one region to advocate separation from the rest of the country. Further, calling for other tribes to be cut off from a certain province, region or regions is not possible under our environment. It is a dream of pure tribalists and should not be allowed.
Some individuals and groups have taken advantage of the abduction of Hon. JJ to bring tribal divisions in Zambia with some groupings and tribes expressing being sidelined by the New Dawn Government while some are claiming being victimized on tribal grounds like Lameck Mangani and his Umodzi Kummawa group. Similarly, one MP has even gone to the extent of being a spokesperson for Bembas and Easterners by suggesting a fight between Zambia Police and the Bembas and Easterners. While it is within anybody’s right to express himself over these issues,some of them like Edith Nawakwi just show total hatred towards President HH.
Hon Maureen Mabonga and Hon Munir Zulu’s statements rightly border on Sedition and Hate speech respectively as the police put it. These are straightforward cases for arrest and prosecution. I also listened to and watched the Northwest guy video asking Mr. Lungu to go to Northwest for Circumcision and that Mr. Lungu was an idiot. My view is that Idiot is not offensive if he can prove that Mr. Lungu is an Idiot because the word itself is an expression of opinion. To ask Mr.Lungu to go to Northwest for circumcision is in bad taste but I doubt if it is an offence. It may be offensive, but not an offence under the Zambian Statutes. It is not divisive as it is directed at an individual. I haven’t seen any other audio or video from Southern Province as alleged by Madam Edith Nawakwi which is inciting tribal hatred but if it is there, then the originator should face the law without exception just like Munir.
In Eastern Province, there is an audio calling on all Tongas who are in the province to start packing if JJ is not found which I condemned in the strongest terms possible. We have urged the leadership in the province and groupings to disassociate their parties and groups from Munir Zulu’s and condemn the Audio recording statements.
Just like Rwanda and Zimbabwe, it is very easy for Zambia to slide into anarchy. We have been united as a people since independence and we are now heading towards 60 years. We only have one country Zambia and we have never had Zambian refugees as some of those had criminal cases and ran away from the due process of the Law. Therefore, the police should not only be independent but should be seen to act professionally and independent. It is therefore upon the police command to bring the current political temperature down by:
1) Speeding their investigations and arrest of those who abducted Hon JJ Banda without exception. If JJ Banda committed a crime, they had recourse to report him to law enforcement agencies than abducting him. Those who abducted JJ are enemies of the state and the people of Zambia.
2) Arrest all those who have taken advantage of JJ’s abduction to promote hate speech such as Munir Zulu and issuing seditious statements such as Maureen Mabonga, the man in an Audio from Eastern Province calling for all Tongas to pack and go. I have the audio if the police don’t have it.
3) Avoid engaging Mr. Lungu if he has not committed any offence or if he is not suspected of about to commit an offence as that just gives him unnecessary publicity. However, if he commits an offence or is suspected to be about to commit an offence, do not send officers who will be like they have been thrown into a den of lions. Send officers who will pick up Mr. Lungu and arrest him just like any other citizen and take him to court.
We can surely live as one people in diversity and avoid what happened in Rwanda and Zimbabwe. Police should be decisive and act. To be continued in Part Two.
The Author is a Human Rights Advocate, Author, Researcher, Youth and Development Partner and Corporate and Management Consultant. He holds a Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Laws, and Diploma in Human Resource Management.
Yes arrest them without exception….if you select who to arrest then you are more guilty than those you are arresting.
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Tell us who you think , on the tonga side should be arrested…….and what they said
On the other side , the police have the right people, we heard their press comferences……
Leemans Nyirenda’s piece is a fair piece of commentary on a very serious issue. But does anyone think they are listening? We appear to have a deeprooted problem and it might take only one trigger event for Zambia to disintegrate. I hope we’re not there yet.
#Spaka looks like you are not normal. Who mentioned any tribes here. Go clean the oldies panties for your upkeep.
Deja Vu June 1, 2024 At 6:15 am
“Yes arrest them without exception….:
Thats why i you are very du.ll……..
We all know you are taling about not arresting people on the UPND side who are talking tribal trash………
But i ask you , who is talking tribal trash on the UPND side , and what they said…….???
Instead you are waffelling thruogh your dirty backside you use as brains……..
You du.ll chap…….
A police officer who does not appreciate the perils of arresting any person suspected of tribalism risks contributing to the same problem more than solving it. The essence here is not to compromise the truth-seeking mission of the Zambian Criminal Justice System. Because the UPND Government already decided whether and when to use instruments of power in a responsible manner, and what, if anything, to reward hardworking Zambian Police Officers. The UPND Government stands uniquely positioned to protect and guard all Zambians against tribalism, perfidy and criminality. By the actions of the UPND Government, it is eliminating the problem of tribalism. Hence, the ZP is selective and, uses intelligence-based approaches when arresting PF trouble-makers and their allies. Viva UPND, viva HH
By arresting only alleged tribalists from Eastern Northen Luapula and only from the opposition, you are not killing tribal conflict. Instead you are fanning it
Let’s first do away with freedom of speech !!
you cant have freedom of speech with hundreds of T & C’s
Who is the root cause of this so-called Tribal hate speech? Start arresting them from the upnd first!!!! Pipo are NEVER stupid, this you must know!!!!! Pipo can see the pattern of employment in govt & its parastatals. This tribe ( not gonna mention the name ) is so tribal & they believe this is their time to rule as if they voted themselves in power and yet all tribes voted for them. It is a big shame really. You just built segregation for yourselves
Badala…….
During PF 98 % of all top jobs and emplyment in ZDFs was going to people from 2 regions……….
If this is goung on now, it is only to balance the injustices of PFs tribal appointments……
Generally all people in Zambia are very good but it’s the selfish ones who cause confusion. You stand on a platform shouting IT’S OUR TIME TO RULE…. even a small child will start thinking SO WE HAVE TO ROTATE THE PRESIDENCY… when in actual fact it’s one who gets the most votes who will be president.
Rotating the the presidency is a good idea……..
Some people are dirty tribal supremacists who think zambia belongs to them alone……….
I cannot comment for its own sake. I have bothered to read about nation-building in Europe and after that post-colonial nation-building because it’s these countries that are newcomers to the process. Zambians need to recognize that social science scholars have been busy studying this issue and there’s therefore lots of literature to learn lessons from. Most Zambians think it’s a matter of common sense. It’s not.
Just like Zanu PF, you can tell who is PF by the type of cars and houses they own. How did we get to this vision of apartheid mwebantu?
Genocide Sparker we should call this Spaka dude, Because liars like Spaka are what spark genocide. Show us the workforce or lists of people in employment during PF time and prove your argument. You make noise from the imagined comfort of your tribe because it is in power and throw nonsensical and unsupported accusations that you just dream up. Your tribe wont be in power forever. And noone tribe will be in power forever in Z
GREAT, i conquer with the author 100percent. ARREST THEM ALL. But we have a problem right now, ” ECL”, his intentions are not good for Zambia. His plan is to provork the law so when he is arrested the world and Zambians rise against the GRZ, UBU BUTUTU KABILI KUTUMPA. Why it taking too long to remove the immunity ? Maybe HH and ECL have a secret agreement on immunity, AKASHILIWA KALATAMBWA, if anything happens to Zambia, Mr. President and the UPND you are to blame, LIMBULA ISANSA TALILALIMBA IMISHILA . IT SEEMS HH /UPND is forcing ECL to remain with IMMUNITY, Please HH /UPND remove the immunity from ECL so he can be moving freely (secretly) as a common man. MWANA AKALILA BONZO MUPASE.
You don’t even understand what the immunity is for….if Lungu steals today he will be arrested just like you and me….his immunity is for what he did as president…. not what he does now.
Lungu has nothing to offer if it is Presidency he is seeking. However, if he is wanting to assist the opposition to regain power that is another issue.
He can make noise for a new leader. The opposition should not make the mistake of thinking he can return. They will lose. They need to identify a new leader and the sooner the better. They should stop the “early elections” crusade What are those calling for early elections rushing for? We will be ready to vote when the time comes.
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You go on air spouting tribal trash that boaders on inciting tribal divisions ………
You will be arrested………
No one in this UPND GRZ is allowed to do that………..
Those saying the arrests are one sided…….
Show us what tribal trash is said by UPND officials ………???
Liteta is disappointed that the police didn’t arrest the Upnd members who were insulting Edgar Lungu at the DEC offices….if you are not careful the police will cost you 2026…..why are they not arresting Upnd members who are either reported for the so-called hate speech or those like the ones who were heckling and insulting the former president?
Deja Vu
Who on the UPND side was inbolved in hate speech……and what did they say…….???
Stop waffelling through your backside and provide facts………
Why arrest people for hecklling ? The president was heckelled at the staduim, was anyone arrested ………???
Muzalila mu 2026, your master has immunity, but you low-lives just kumbuwa chabe… pipo know who you & how you are brutalizing pipo. This is the best presidency Zambia has ever produced, fuel is cheap so is mealie meal, fertiliser, piop have jobs, there is freedom of speech, you can insult a former president… wowwwwwwww!!!! Guest you cannot change the hyena into a dog!!!! ZWAAAA , ingombe ilede, ZWAAAA ingombe ilede !!!!!!
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…..Fo…..Fo…..Foooo…..Forwadee 2031
Zambians what did you do to yourselves in the last elections.. today you just love to complain.. eat the pudding kikikikikiki. Mwatemwafye ukudandaula says your president .. kikikiki muzalila, it has just started. When charlatans are in power people complain & moan!!!!!!! They love it when pipo complain & they cannot understand why pipo complain.
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Soon the fruits of the auterity, sacrifice and hard work will be rippening ………
Even though we are in the midisit of drought………
The economic fruits will sustain and propel zambia forward………
Forwadee 2031………..
And beyond…….
We Zambians identify ourselves through surnames. Even overseas we never ask each about which tribe one comes from. One who asks about one’s tribe is looked at with suspicion and get isolated. That is these tribalists like Edgar Lungu, Chishimba Kambwili and Mwamba deserve ver serveer punishment. While Edgar Lungu need to be investigated for using forged documents and ID belonging to a dead person to claim to be a Zambia. While the fact is that he comes from Malawi. Such people deserve immediate deportation. Instead of allowing them to cause more disowns and damages to Zambians.
The elephant is in the room and you refuse to see it.
Why is it so difficult to make tribalism a crime? why can’t we make it unlawful just the same way vehicle crime was rushed through parliament? Make laws to stop this thing which has the potential to create civil strife in Zambia. We are tired of name calling. Put it through parliament and end it once and for all.
Let’s face reality, the Zambian outfit is dying from a corrosive infection of tribal bigotry!
This suggestion is good only for debate, because the people promoting and practising tribalism have immunity they cannot be arrested.
@Chendabusi you could be right but in Zambia only the President has somewhat of a comprehensive civil and criminal immunity. The other people with immunity are MPS when they are in Parliament and legal court participants