Delayed response irritates BRE
By Mwala Kalaluka in Limulunga
Wed 06 Apr. 2011, 04:01 CAT
THE Barotse Royal Establishment says President Rupiah Banda’s government is taking too long to respond to its suggestions on how to resolve the Barotseland Agreement controversy.
And the Barotse Royal Establishment's acting Ngambela prime minister Litia Walubita says people that were circulating rumours that the Litunga is 'dead' are pathological liars.
During an inter-denominational service attended by Litunga Lubosi Imwiko II at his Limulunga palace grounds on Friday morning, Ngambela Walubita said the BRE had not relaxed efforts to engage the government on the Barotseland Agreement issue.
“I know that people are very anxious about the Barotseland Agreement but we are not just seated,” Ngambela Walubita told a crowd that came to see Litunga Imwiko. “We are being prodded by the district royal establishments and the latest is the Imangambwa chief induna at Naliele in Kaoma, who is here with us and had been asking how far we are on this issue.”
Ngambela Walubita said the Barotse Royal Establishment BRE was of the view that issues around the Barotseland Agreement needed to be dealt with one at a time.
“Some people were sent to Lusaka to go and find out because the other time we Barotse National Council went to State House and told the government that ‘what we have come here for is not to secede. What we are here for is to ensure that our Agreement is respected,” Ngambela Walubita said.
“The President and his people gave their side and they said 'it won't take long, we shall respond to you.' But there will be a problem because people are now wondering when that response will come.”
Ngambela Walubita said in view of the silence from the government another BRE delegation was sent to Lusaka recently to go and find out the government's position on the matter.
“They came back the other day and they told us it was promising and that the government will reply this week,” Ngambela Walubita said. “That letter from the government will determine whether we go and meet with them or we call on people to come and dance the warriors' dance ngomalume.”
Ngambela Walubita, who rubbished assertions that the Litunga and his indunas had been paid billions of kwacha in order to kill the discourse on the Barotseland Agreement, urged the people to wait for the outcome of the BRE's involvement.
“Such kind of mudslinging is not constructive,” he said.
“It is shameful that some people from the royal family are also involved in this malicious campaign but it shall not take a while we will catch them.”
Ngambela Walubita said the Kuomboka Ceremony of the Lozi people would take place this year and rumours suggesting that it would not take place were baseless.
“Preparations have already started,” Ngambela Walubita said. “Next week I might be announcing the date for the Kuomboka.”
And Ngambela Walubita said the rumour that the Litunga had passed away was a wake up call to the BRE.
“Those lies that are circulating, tell the people that they are all lies. Look, today he Litunga Imwiko is here. Can you say someone is mad when he is not mad?” Ngambela Walubita said amidst ululations.
“But these rumours have made us realise that from now on we shall not allow our Litunga to be only in one place. We shall advise him to be mobile.”
Ngambela Walubita said those that continue to think that the Litunga was only benefitting by virtue of being on the throne should go to his village, Nasiyongo, and see the number of cattle he had.
“The Litunga is self-sustaining,” said Ngambela Walubita.
Labels: BAROTSE ROYAL ESTABLISHMENT, BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT, LITIA WALUBITA
Read more...
Absence of Barotse agreement in draft constitution angers BRE
By Henry Sinyangwe
Tue 03 Aug. 2010, 10:00 CAT
THE Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) is aggrieved that the provisions of the Barotseland Agreement have not been considered in the draft constitution.
Making submissions to the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) on the draft constitution yesterday, acting Ngambela Litia Walubita submitted that the articles of the constitution defining Zambia as a unitary state should acknowledge the Barotseland Agreement as the instrument by which the unitary state is constituted.
Walubita said the BRE found part II of the draft constitution, which talks about the Republican and sovereignty of the country not inclusive.
“The BRE remains aggrieved that the provisions of the Barotseland Agreement have not been considered in the draft constitution,” Walubita said.
He submitted that article 4(2) which establishes Zambia as a unitary, multi-party, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural democratic state should be recast to reflect the origins of the unitary state.
Walubita submitted that article 4(3) was an unnecessary overkill in the protection of indivisibility of the unitary state adding that the clause would make sense if it was supported by an acknowledgement of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964, which enforces the unitary and indivisibility of the state.
According to article 4(3), the Republic shall not be ceded in whole or in part to another country.
He said article 4(5) like clause 4(3) was targeted at the Barotseland because it was the only region of Zambia that had unequivocal right to establish a regional government.
According to article 4(5), the establishment of a new state within the territory of the Republic of Zambia is prohibited.
“It should be emphasised that this right preceded the birth of the Republic of Zambia and is therefore not bestowed on Barotseland by Zambia,” Walubita said.
He said the BRE found article 213(1) to be inadequate in legislation for provincial, district and local authority’s administration.
According to article 213(1), Parliament shall enact legislation applicable to provinces, districts and local authorities.
Walubita stated that the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 placed the aspect of government administration under the Litunga and council.
He stated that the power given by the constitution to Parliament to legislate for administration of provinces, districts and local authorities should be made subject to the provisions of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 as enshrined under clause eight of the Barotseland agreement.
Walubita stated that the BRE found part XIX article 290(2), which defines customary land, wanting because it failed to include land vested in the Litunga within the definition of customary land.
He submitted that the clause should be amended by the insertion of land vested in the Litunga as customary land.
According to article 290(2), customary is land held by communities identified on the basis of tribe, residence or community of residence.
He further submitted that the powers of the President over minerals and petroleum under article 293(1) should not be so sweeping that they override the existing powers of the Litunga over land in Barotseland.
According to article 293(1), all rights of ownership, in searching for, mining and disposing of, minerals and petroleum, wheresoever located in Zambia, are hereby vested in the President in trust for, and on behalf of, the people of Zambia.
Walubita submitted that the article should be re-aligned with the provisions relating to the control of land in Barotseland.
According to the detailed submission, part of the Barotseland Agreement, which was signed on May 19, 1964 was the extension of regional autonomy to the Barotseland on matters that included land.
Labels: BAROTSE ROYAL ESTABLISHMENT, CONSTITUTION, LITIA WALUBITA, NCC
Read more...