Barotseland Royal Establishment has rubbished an article published by the ruling Patriotic Front propaganda wing – The Post – suggesting that the Litunga did not support the secession of Western province from Zambia.
According to a statement published by the Kuta – the Lozi traditional advisory council responsible for the Litunga’s official statement – the position of the Barotse National Council of March 2012 has not changed.
The statement which was made available to Radio Lyiambai and Radio Liseli – both based in Barotseland – was communicated to the region and later circulated to other national media.
Secession activities say the Kuta is aware that the statement will not be published in national media like The Post because of the propaganda stance they have assumed in the matter.
Confusion has lately rocked the Barotseland resolve to secede using the Agreement of 1964 with the Ngambela (Prime Minister) resigning while the Litunga is accused of pocketing over K42 billion in bribes from the PF government to quell the movement.
The Barotseland National Youth League also issued a statement before the Kuta saying The Post article was misleading and did not represent the position of the leadership in the region.
“As Barotseland National Youth League we appeal to all our members and the general populace of the royal kingdom of Barotseland to remain steadfast, calm and be at ease and not to listen or concentrate on the propaganda being speculated by the Zambian government and some Zambian private media organizations,” the stated.
“The propaganda that the Zambian government is instigating is like the kicks of a dying horse because they are aware that we have completed all the modalities towards self-determination of the royal kingdom of Barotseland.
“Let this be known to each and every Barotzish both at home and abroad that the matter of Barotseland self-determination is not about “secession” as the Zambian government and some private media houses have been reporting, but it is about reverting to the original status that obtained before 24th October, 1964 as you are now aware that Kenneth Kaunda unilaterally abrogated the now null and void Barotseland Agreement 1964 which necessitated that Barotseland kingdom and Northern Rhodesia should proceed to independence as one nation Zambia.”
A representative for the Movement of the Restoration of Barotseland (MOREBA) Michael Wanga also said the Litunga had never given a position on Barotseland.
“The orders to continue fighting for separation do not come from from Litunga. The King’s position is that of the National Council. It’s not the position of the Litunga,” Wanga said during a live internet radio programme – Crossfire Blog.
Wanga said the position of the Lozi on separating from Zambia has not changed after resolutions of the National Council in March 2012. “There are teething problems but it is not unnatural. However, We are not derailed. I am hoping you get the statement that you get the position of the Kuta. The position of the Kuta represents the position of the Litunga,” said Wanga.
The Post has recently been carrying propganda articles suggesting the Litunga was against the movement of his people. During the campaigns for the September 2011 elections, The Post, which is sometimes referred to as a PF magazine, supported calls for secession as Sata promised to restore the agreement within 90 days of assuming power.
