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Tribal politics is a major source of conflict – UNZA lecturer

Tribal politics is a major source of conflict – UNZA lecturer
By Mwala Kalaluka
Wed 10 Mar. 2010, 03:30 CAT

UNIVERSITY of Zambia (UNZA) philosophy of good governance lecturer Austin Mboozi has said attacking tribal groupings that are suspicious of regional marginalisation by the government only aggravates the situation. And a Rwandese national resident in Zambia has said tribal politics have torn his home country to what it is known for by the rest of the world today.

During a public discussion organised by the Press Freedom Committee (PFC) of The Post themed Tribal politics, is it a source of conflict or not at Lusaka’s Courtyard Hotel last week, Mboozi cited the Lamba people of the Copperbelt as an example in his presentation.

“Everywhere in the world there is no country which does not have an ethnic problem; not a single country,” Mboozi said. “Take for example the Gabriel Namulambe case, if I was in the government and he says ‘the Lambas have been marginalised’ I would say come here can you show evidence? You will see he might not be able.”

He said attacking tribal groupings that felt economically marginalised could lead to anger against the government.

“By attacking them, the more they go on gossiping. Give them data,” Mboozi said. “It is better than to simply attack them on and on. It brings anger.”
Mboozi said tribal politics were a major source of conflict.

“Pride, people vote on tribal lines because of pride. This is their pride so maybe we may have to accommodate that,” he said. “There are some tribes that are still talking that they have been marginalised by the state. They want a slot on ZNBC.”
Mboozi said the government policy on tribe could be reviewed.

“There are people that will say I do not want that language, not even to hear it. I have been bullied myself,” he said.

Mboozi said it was not the politicians, but the citizens, that were causing the furtherance of tribal politics.

“Politicians play to the gallery. They are following your mindset,” Mboozi said.
He said politicians knew the tribal sentiments that the electorate expressed in their private lives.

Mboozi said there was need to promote multiculturalism because it was impossible to completely kill tribes.

“Unity comes when you let people be the way they are,” said Mboozi.
And Rwandan community in Zambia head of delegation Ukulikiyeyezu Jean Marie Louis said Rwanda was a country torn by tribal politics.

Louis said tribal politics led to a lot of conflicts and displacements.

“To date the Rwandese people are still fleeing the country and the majority of them are Hutu,” he said. “From these parts, you are able to tell if the trust between the Hutus and Tutsis is established.”

Louis said the Gachacha traditional courts had worked against the Hutus.
“The Gachacha are judging Hutus. Now there is something I want to let you know.

If you want to confirm your tribe on a passport, one of the documents you have to submit is the clearance from the Gachacha,” said Louis.

“Since Gachacha is for the Hutus, every Hutu must be screened.”

Labels: AUSTIN MBOOZI, TRIBALISM, UNZA

posted by MrK @ 6:17 AM