Maravi

Sata should honour his promise - Ilukena

Sata should honour his promise - Ilukena
By Kabanda Chulu
Wed 29 Feb. 2012, 09:46 CAT

PRESIDENT Michael Sata assured Barotse activists at a meeting at State House last December that Barotseland would be given back after Lozis discussed the matter with the Litunga, says Linyungandambo financial secretary Mukubesa Ilukena. And Ilukena says Barotseland is determined to get total independence from Zambia whether President Sata likes it or not.

Reacting to President Sata's statement that he would be very reluctant to recommend the reinstatement of the Barotseland Agreement, Ilukena yesterday said the head of state should legitimise what he promised during his election campaigns and their meeting at State House.

He recalled that during campaigns, President Sata likened himself to the Linyungandambo movement.

"The President himself said: ‘I am a Linyungandambo and I am the best friend of the Linyungandambo', but now that he is in power he does not seem to legitimise what he promised. When he invited us at State House on 29th December 2011, President Sata said: ‘the only problem is the Litunga, who is making it difficult for Barotseland to be free so go to him and discuss with the Barotse Royal Establishment since I am prepared to give back Barotseland'," Ilukena said.

"This is exactly what President Sata said: ‘I don't want to govern a big country with lots of problems. I would rather govern a small country with no problems so go and decide this with your Litunga, me... I am prepared to give your Barotseland even tomorrow.' So we are surprised that he is reluctant to fulfil his promise and how come President Sata doesn't live by his word? So we are disappointed to hear what he said."

He explained that the Barotseland Agreement was signed by two parties on equal terms.

"So no party is supposed to prevail over the other and it is a pity that President Sata thinks other tribes will press for the same. It is very unfortunate to think in those lines because no tribe or region can rise since they didn't sign any agreement," said Ilukena.

"The issue at hand is that the Barotseland Agreement is now stale since the government of Zambia has refused to recognise it. It is no longer valid, so Lozis want total independence because what bonded Barotseland to Zambia is the Agreement. If Chewas or any other tribe have an agreement, let them come out and complain. It is a pity that the President is responding negatively to the report that was democratically compiled. But whatever the case, whether the President wants to restore it or not, we are determined to see the independence of Barotseland no matter what President Sata will say…President Sata is not the one to decide, it is the people. Whether he likes it or not, we are going to have an independent Barotseland."

Ilukena, who lives in Limulunga, said from the beginning, the Linyungandambo wrote to the Attorney General indicating that Barotseland should be independent.

"There will be no other steps to be taken and we are not going to change our aim because we want total independence and Linyungandambo will continue with that movement and we are going ahead. If it means to die we shall die whether President Sata wants or not. People will demand total independence of Barotseland," he said.

And Barotse Freedom Movement representative Nyambe Namushi said a comprehensive statement would be issued when the entire executive is consulted.

Last week, President Sata said he would be reluctant to recommend the reinstatement of the Barotse Agreement.

Labels: BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT, MICHAEL SATA

posted by MrK @ 6:06 PM