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Catholic bishops offer solidarity to Barotseland

Catholic bishops offer solidarity to Barotseland
By Chansa Kabwela
Mon 07 Feb. 2011, 04:01 CAT

CATHOLIC bishops in Zambia have offered solidarity to the people of Western Province. The bishops have also offered their condolences and deep sympathy to the families of people who lost their lives in clashes between police and Mongu residents recently.

And the bishops say time has come to bring the issues surrounding the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 to an amicable conclusion.

According to the pastoral statement from the Catholic Bishops of Zambia themed A Call for Peace and Reconciliation in Western Province, which was released yesterday, the bishops offered their solidarity because of their God-given mandate to be the voice of conscience to the nation.

The bishops called for a spirit of unity, justice, peace and reconciliation in the country, especially Western Province.

The bishops, who indicated that they met President Rupiah Banda to present their concerns regarding the disturbances in Western Province, said the country witnessed unfortunate events in Western Province, which culminated in violence, leading to loss of lives and the subsequent incarceration of alleged activists on charges of treason.

“The instability has also caused fear and uncertainty among the multi ethnic society of Western Province which, like the rest of Zambia, has lived in peace and tranquillity since our political independence in 1964. We offer our condolences and deep sympathy to the families that lost their beloved relatives in the violence,” the bishops said. “We also wish quick recovery to those who were injured. Our hearts also go out to families who may be facing difficulties at the moment as a result of their breadwinners being away in prison.”

The bishops appealed to the government, the people in Western Province, the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) and the organised activist groups to find a lasting solution to the “dangerous situation” that had evolved in Western Province.

“In order to foster dialogue and normalise the situation in Western Province, we have appealed to the Republican President to use his prerogative to release those that are incarcerated in prison over this case, some of whom are facing treason charges,” they said. “In the interim, the suspects in custody must be accorded their rights as provided for in our Constitution and other related legislation.”

According to the bishops, it was their belief that none of the parties involved cherished needless loss of life or an environment where people lived in fear.

The bishops said all stakeholders , must demonstrate their commitment to peace by refraining from violence, intimidation or the use of force as a means of achieving their objectives.
“Violence and intimidation produces no winners in resolving problems. It just hardens the hearts of the victims to equally defend their position by the same means and in the end a vicious circle of hatred, violence and intimidation is perpetrated. We strongly feel that all parties to this matter must embrace the spirit of dialogue as a way of dealing with the issues,” the bishops said.

They hoped that the BRE would help provide leadership and hope to the people of Western Province.

The bishops, who recognised the BRE’s efforts to dialogue prior to January 14, said the aftermath of the day brought new insights on the magnitude of the work which still needed to be done.

The bishops said they were not experts in law but believed that the actions of the founding fathers in negotiating and signing this agreement were aimed at fostering peace among all people and creating a unitary state.

“It is our hope and prayer that this can still be the same spirit motivating all parties to the discourse on the Barotseland Agreement of 1964. Time has perhaps come that this matter be brought to an amicable conclusion. Again we emphasise that dialogue be encouraged to analyse what issues are outstanding in the implementation of the agreement and a lasting solution agreed within the context of our modern times,” the bishops said.

They appealed to the activist groups – Linyungandambo, Barotse Freedom Movement, Movement for the Restoration of Barotseland and the Barotse Patriotic Front – to commit themselves to peaceful means of advocating their demands.

The prelates believed that the activists’ rights to organise and associate must be protected but that this also entailed them to respect the rights of other people who may not belong to their grouping or those with different views on the subject matter.

The bishops recognised the government’s duty to maintain law and order and protect life and property but noted that this should be exercised with due diligence.

“Good judgement of what state action can result into is extremely necessary. There are concerns around the heavy presence of armed police in Mongu before and after the incidents of 14th January. These concerns include the use of live bullets on the actual day, which resulted in deaths and gunshot injuries,” they said. “We have expressed these concerns to the Head of State and it is our hope that such extreme actions will not be used again to manage public order not only in Western Province but in any other part of our country. Insistence on negotiation and dialogue should always be the key factor.”

The bishops said at the bottom of all the unrest in Western Province lay a perception, real or imagined, that the province was marginalised in matters of development.

They acknowledged that Western Province was the poorest province in the country and asked the government to bring about development because much more still needed to be done.

“To our young people in the whole country and particularly those in Western Province, we feel for you and we understand that the challenges you face today can be a real source of losing hope. We appeal to you to use your youthfulness to exercise resilience even as you rightly continue to demand for a better place in our society. We also call upon all stakeholders from the government, church, NGOs, and donors, to do all they can to give hope to the young people,” the bishops said.

According to the bishops, all people had a duty to contribute to the sustenance of peace, healing and reconciliation by behaving in a responsible way, respectful of other people and their human rights.
They said the government should endeavour to be true custodians of people’s liberties in all its actions.

“In this vein, we appeal to Government to consider re-opening Radio Lyambai and allow it to operate. It is when we build ourselves as a society committed to mutual respect that we can ever hope for sustainable peace,” the bishops said. “As Catholic Bishops, we are guided by the spirit of the Second African Synod whose theme focused on Reconciliation, Justice, Peace and unity. Like the Synod Fathers’ hope for Africa, we pray and hope for a “New Pentecost” in Western Province where all parties will be reconciled and once again live in harmony. This will not however come by chance; there will be need for all parties to work towards this reconciliation.”

The bishops also offered their solidarity to the church in Western Province.

The pastoral statement was signed by Cardinal Merdado Mazombwe, Chipata Bishop George Lungu, Lusaka Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu, Mpika Bishop Ignatius Chama, Livingstone Bishop Raymond Mpezele, Mongu Bishop Paul Duffy, Monze Bishop Emilio Patriarca, Ndola Bishop Alick Banda, Solwezi Bishop Charles Kasonde, Kasama Apostolic Administrator Ignatius Mwebe, Mansa Apostolic Administrator Michael Merizzi, Bishop emeritus of Kasama James Spaita, Bishop emeritus of Mansa Aaron Chisha and Bishop emeritus of Ndola Noel O’Regan.

This follows their annual plenary meeting that was held at Lusaka’s Kapingila House from February 1 to 4.

And well-placed sources at State House revealed that Cardinal Mazombwe, Bishop Lungu and Bishop Kasonde met President Banda on Thursday last week where they presented their urgent concerns on the Barotseland issue.

Labels: BAROTSE FREEDOM MOVEMENT

posted by MrK @ 4:24 AM