Barotse Royal Establishment

Lealui-Limulunga

2011 BAROTSE NATIONAL COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS

... Introduction The Barotse Governance System has five tiers from the cental to the village level. The first tier of government is the Namuso (literary translated as the Mother of Governments). This is the central government of Barotseland and has the Litunga as the Head of State and the Ngambela as Prime Minister. The Ngambela, who is also referred to as Sope or Munyolui ( the latter literary meaning Owner of Barotseland) is the political, administrative and judicial head of Barotseland. The Ngambela works with other Indunas (ministers) at Namuso in-charge of specific sectors. The Second governance tier is Lwambi, which is the regional government of the southern part of Barotseland. It is headed by Litunga-La-Mboela, which means the Litunga of the South. LitungaLa-Mboela has the Sambi as the political, administrative and judicial head of this region of Barotseland. The government of Lwambi has its own Indunas. The third tier consists of chiefdoms. Barotseland is sub-divided into several Chiefdoms each headed by a Chief. A Chief has a team of Indunas to assist him/her in governing the area. There are Administrative Areas in every Chiefdom constituting the fourth tier. These are referred to as Lilalo. A Silalo (singular) has an Induna who is its political, administrative and judicial head. The fifth and last governance tier in Barotseland consist of villages (Minzi). Munzi (singular) has an Induna who is its political, administrative and judicial head. Each level of government has a Kuta. The main responsibility of the Kuta is to carry out political, administrative and judicial functions of each tier of the Barotse Government. The Sikalu is the Kuta at Namuso. The principal members are Manduna (ministers), the Likombwa (Kings Aids) and Linabi (members of the royal family). The Sikalo mainly deals with Legislation. The head of the Sikalo Kuta is the Ngambela. There is also another Kuta, the Saa. The Saa, like the Sikalo, consists of members from the Manduna, Likombwa and Linabi. It also deals with Legislation. The head of the Saa is Inete. Each Chiefdom has its own Kuta, which handles all political, administrative and judicial matters at a local level.

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Resolutions of the 2011 Barotse National Council

The Barotse National Council (BNC) brings together people representing the Barotse governance system as described above and meets periodically to pass resolutions that guide the governance of Barotseland by the Barotse Royal Establishment. The Barotse National Council is the highest decision and policy-making body in the Barotse governance system. The Barotse National Council met in Limulunga (in the Kashandi at Nayuma Museum) from Monday 31 January to Wednesday 2 February 2011. It was co-chaired by Inete and Acting Sambi. The main purpose of the BNC Meeting was to deliberate on the Barotseland Agreement 1964 in the light of the recent happenings over the issue. The following traditional leaders/Chiefs attended the Council Meeting: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Litunga la Mboela, Mulena Mukwae Mbuyu Imwiko (Nalolo - Senanga) Mboanjikana, Mulena Mukwae Kandundu Yeta (Libonda - Kalabo) Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta (Mwandi - Sesheke) Senior Chief Amukena (Naliele - Kaoma) Senior Chief Ananganga Yeta (Namayula, Lukulu) Chief Chiengele (Mushuwa) Chief Kandala (Yuka)

The Chiefs were accompanied by their respective Indunas representing the different tiers of the Barotse Governance as described above. The Annex presents the list of those that participated in the 2011 BNC. His Honor the Acting Ngambela of Barotseland (Mr. Litia Walubita) attended the National Council and provided overall guidance to the deliberations. Traditionally, the Litunga does not attend the Barotse National Council and, hence, did not attend the 3-day Meeting. He, however, met and discussed with the traditional leaders immediately before and immediately after the National Council. Chief Kahare of Kaoma attended the pre-Council meeting with the Litunga but had to leave due to a sudden illness in his family. The following are the main Resolutions of the three-day Barotse National Council: Preamble (a) BEING opposed to violance and unlawful acts as a means to resolving conflict; (b) BELIEVING that the issue of the abrogation of Barotseland Agreement 1964 can be resolved amicably through dialogue; (c) KNOWING that the restoration of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 is NOT synonymous with seccession; (d) NOTING that the past Governments of the Republic of Zambia had persistently refused to recognize and implement the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 despite the receipt of numerous submissions from the Barotse Royal Establishment; (a) BELIEVING that widespread discontent will be perpetuated within Barotseland unless the restoration and implementation of the Barotseland Agreement is achieved;

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Resolutions of the 2011 Barotse National Council

(b) CONCERNED that Barotseland is the least developed Province in the country, an aspect that has resulted in frustration among the people that correctly attribute this to Government failure to take meaningful development there; (c) KNOWING that all the 38 tribes in Barotseland have always lived in harmony since time immemorial under the protection and visionary leadership of successive Litungas; (d) RECOGNISING that the Institution of Litungaship is deeply respected in Barotseland as the custodian of our cherished cultural heritage and the very basis of our unity as a region; and (e) BELIEVING that the recent calls for dialogue from the Government of H.E. Rupiah Bwezani Banda demonstrate commitment to finding a lasting solution to the issue of the restoration of Barotseland Agreement; THEREFORE, the 2011 Barotse National Council has RESOLVED as follows: I. Broad Resolutions 1. That the Barotse National Council reaffirms its position that the restoration and implementation of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 shall remain the most urgent matter for discussion with the Government of Zambia. It further maintains that the Barotse Royal Establishment shall work with all peace-loving people to create an atmosphere that is condusive to finding an amicable solution to the question of the Barotseland Agreement 1964. 2. That the Barotse National Council would not support calls for seccession and believes in Barotseland remaining an indivisible part of the Unitary State of Zambia. 3. That in order to remove the widespread discontent in Barotseland, the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the Barotse Royal Establishment should commence talks on finding a lasting solution to the issue of the Barotseland Agreement 1964. These talks should be held within a month and the Governments official position communicated to the Barotse Royal Establishment shortly after the conclusion of the talks. 4. That, as a rejoinder to (3) above, the Barotse National Council demands the immediate inclusion of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 into the Zambian Constitution. 5. That, in order to remove the current myth in the country regarding the substance and value of the Barotseland Agreement 1964 (often mistaken as the basis for calls for secession), both the Barotse Royal Establishment and the Government should, with immediate effect, widely publicise the Agreement in the print media. 6. That in order to address the stigma of Barotseland being the least developed Province in Zambia, the Government of the Republic of Zambia should come up with a Master Plan that adresses the disadvantages suffered by the region relative to other parts of the country. In this regard, the Barotse National Council demands Government commitment to the provision of sustainable and pro-poor developmental programes and projects that _____________________________________________________________________________
Resolutions of the 2011 Barotse National Council

would bring hope to the people of Barotseland so as to improve their dismal living conditions. 7. That, to compliment (6) above, the Barotse National Council urges the Barotse Royal Establishment and the people of Barotseland to engage in meaningful economic activities that would improve their living conditions. 8. That all the people that reside in Barotseland should enjoy centuries-old peaceful coexistance that our forefathers and past Kings/Litungas upheld. In this regard, the Barotse National Council condemns in the strongest terms any person or group of persons that seek, in whatever form, to divide the Province along tribal lines. 9. That the Barotse National Council conveys its deep sorrow and regret to the families of those who died in the recent unrest in Mongu and Limulunga. 10. That the tenets of human rights and observance of the Rule of Law are used to guide Governments handling of those that were arrested following the 14th January disturbances in Mongu and Limulunga. As a rejoinder to this, the Government, in general, and law enforcement authorities, in particular, should apply maximum restraint in the administration of justice on all accused persons and ensure that those arrested and facing trial are accorded speedy and fair trial. II. Resolutions Specific to the Internal Workings of the BRE 1. The Barotse National Council shall not take kindly to any individual or group(s) of individuals bringing the Institution of Litungaship into public ridicule and disrepute by making derogatory remarks with intent to undermine the Authority of Barotse Royal Establishment. 2. The Barotse National Council shall be meeting at least twice a year to present and discuss the state of affairs in Barotseland. Subsequently, district Kutas are mandated to sensitise people in their respective districts on the deliberations of the Barotse National Council. 3. In the spirit of inclusiveness and democratisation, the Barotse National Council hereby commits itself to broadening its membership in a way that would include in its deliberations the major stakeholders in Barotseland. In the same spirit, the Barotse National Council appeals to Members of Parliament from Barotseland and similar representative bodies to be proactive on the Barotseland Agreement 1964 as well as on all other matters that affect the lives of the people of Barotseland. 4. The Barotse National Council directs the Barotse Royal Establishment to hold PIZO in as many times as it is necessary in order to analyse and resolve contentious issues affecting the people of Barotseland. 5. The Barotse Royal Establishment shall facilitate the sensitisation of people regarding the need to uphold the Barotse culture and traditions. _____________________________________________________________________________
Resolutions of the 2011 Barotse National Council

III. Resolutions specific to Interest Groups 1. The Barotse National Council urges all Interest Groups to coordinate their programmes and activities with the Barotse Royal Establishment on all matters pertaining to Barotseland Agreement 1964 as well as on all issues concerning Baortse culture and tradition. 2. That shadowy groups are directed to refrain from making inflammatory statements bordering on dividing the people of Barotseland along tribal lines. The End

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Resolutions of the 2011 Barotse National Council

Annex

List of Delegates to the 2011 Barotse National Council

31 January to 2 February 2011

I. Lealui 1. Acting Ngambela 2. Induna Inete 3. Induna Katema 4. Induna Namunda 5. Induna Mayunyi 6. Induna Munono 7. Induna Kaluwe 8. Induna Angulu 9. Induna Isikawo 10. Mwana Mulena Muimui Namabanda 11. Mukwae Mbuywana 12. Mutwaleti 13. Mwaiba II. Nalolo 14. Litunga La Mboela 15. Acting Sambi 16. Induna Liyundang'ono 17. Induna Mundale III. Libonda 18. Mulena Mukwae Mboanjikana 19. Acting Muleta 20. Induna Mbandinwa 21. Induna Ngela 22. Induna Mundandwa IV. Mwandi 23. Senior Chief Inyambo Yeta 24. Acting Leashimba 25. Induna Wamulwa 26. Induna Asikuli 27. Induna Amukuteile V. Naliele 28. Senior Chief Amukena 29. Induna Imangambwa 30. Induna Imakumbili 31. Induna Mwanatete

VI. Namayula 32. Senior Chief Anang'anga 33. Induna Yutanga 34. Induna Andi 35. Induna Likubangwa 36. Induna Kasakula 37. Induna Silembe VII. Kaunga-Mashi 38. Induna Ing'anduko 39. Induna Sambiana 40. Induna Iwakuti VIII. Mushuwa 41. Chief Chiengele 42. Induna Kabalana IX. Yuka 43. Chief Kandala 44. Induna Kashembe 45. Induna Kashweka 46. Induna Mumbuna 47. Induna Mukwa 48. Induna Mukuteka

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In Attendance Dr. Macwani Pastor Martin Mundia Muyangwa Mungwaluku Secretariat Mwana Mulena Imwaka Mwana Mulena Mununga

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Resolutions of the 2011 Barotse National Council