Barotseland: Zambian Presidential Candidates Make Promises Concerning Region’s Self-Determination
While Mr Rodwig Sondashi, leader of the Forum for Democratic Alternatives (FDA), is committed to revive the Barotseland Agreement of 1964, which guaranteed significant autonomy to the region, Dr Nevers Mumba, leader of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy, promised to give the Barotse the right to decide. He believes that Zambia should learn from Western democracies, such as the United Kingdom or Canada, in the way that they have addressed self-determination issues. Elections will take place on 20 January 2015.
Photo courtesy of Michael Jefferies@flickr
Below are articles from Lusakatimes and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporations:
Forum for Democratic Alternatives leader (FDA), Rodwig Sondashi, says he will re- introduce the Barotse Land agreement of 1964 once elected president of the Republic of Zambia.
Dr Sondashi stated that immediately his party becomes government, it will engage the Litunga and his Kuta as well as the people of Barotse Land to discuss the way forward with regard to the agreement.
He was speaking during a public rally held at Mulambwa grounds in Mongu on Sunday [21 December 2014].
Dr Sondashi promised to release the Linyungandambo people who were arrested over the Barotse Land agreement from prison.
Dr. Sondashi further explained that he will improve the Sondashi Formula 2000 (SF 2000) drug for curing HIV/AIDS and give it to patients free of charge to Zambians in order to eradicate the pandemic.
He said it was sad that the inaction by government has resulted in into many losses of lives in the country since the year 2000 when the medicine was founded.
Dr Sondashi was in Mongu district to seek votes ahead of the January 20, 2015 Presidential by elections following the death of President Michael Sata.
---
MMD leader Nevers Mumba has promised that if elected Republican President on January 20th 2015 he will facilitate for Referendum to decide the way forward for the Barotseland Agreement.
He says all previous presidents have not taken a brave stance deal with the issues once and for all.
Dr. Mumba says that Zambia should learn from other progressive nations such as Canada and the United Kingdom which faced similar situations over Quebec province in 1995 in the case of Canada and recently over Scotland in the case of the United Kingdom.
He said the two governments courageously allowed referenda to be held and that in both cases, the ‘NO’ vote against secession prevailed and the nations remained intact.
Dr MUMBA added that the people of Western province should be respected and given the right to choose what they want.
He said the Barotseland Agreement is a legally binding document which had been signed between the Barotse Royal Establishment, former President Kenneth Kaunda and the British Government and could not just be swept under the carpet.
Dr MUMBA was speaking at a public rally in MONGU on Tuesday [30 December 2014].
Meanwhile Dr MUMBA whom had been campaigning also paid a courtesy call on the Litunga Lubosi Imwiko the Second.
