Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) Litunga ready to discuss Barotse Agreement

Litunga ready to discuss Barotse Agreement
Wednesday, December 8, 2010, 9:02

Royal Highness the Litunga of the Lozi people Lubosi Imwiko II talk to Vice President George Kunda at the Lealui Palace during the kufuluhela traditional ceremony in Mongu

THE Litunga of the Lozi people of Western Province is ready to engage the Government on issues surrounding the Barotse Agreement, provincial Minister Richard Mwapela has said.

Mr Mwapela said in a telephone interview from Mongu yesterday he had met the Litunga who advised the Government and the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) should discuss the matter.

He said the Government should constitute a commission of inquiry that should go round the province to collect views from the people and engage the BRE on the 1964 Barotse Agreement.

“I met the Litunga as provincial minister and he advised we should engage the BRE as Government. “The issue of cessation is out, but Government must constitute a commission of inquiry so that it can go round the province to collect views from the people,” he said.

And Chisamba Member of Parliament (MP) Moses Muteteka has advised his colleagues from Western Province to consult with the Litunga and the BRE in order to resolve the impasse over the Barotse Agreement.

Mr Muteteka said as representatives of the people of Western Province, the MPs should immediately seek audience with the Litunga so that the matter could be resolved.

“Just as a citizen I feel that the MPs from Western Province should immediately seek audience with the Litunga because they are elected representatives of the people of the province,” he said.

Mr Muteteka, who is Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister, said it was unfortunate that Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata was trying to use the agreement to gain political mileage.

He wondered why emotions around the Barotse Agreement were being stirred now, when the matter had long been closed.

Labels: BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT, LITUNGA, RICHARD MWAPELA

posted by MrK @ 11:07 AM