Police kill two in Mongu protests over Barotseland agreement
Two protestors are feared dead when police opened fire on a crowd in Mongu, Western Province.
A previously unknown group calling itself the Barotse Freedom Movement (BFM) organized the protest to raise awareness about the need to restore the 1964 Barotse Agreement.
Police immediately moved in as protestors gathered in the morning for the protest and dispersed the gathering saying it is illegal.
Three police officers are reportedly to have been injured in the ensuing confusion and a vehicle from mobile operator company – MTN was burnt to ashes.
Some Mongu residents joined the protest because Mongu has had no electricity since Thursday.
A contractor working on the Sesheke-Mongu Road, accidentally knocked out a ZESCO transformer with his bulldozer. This transformer feeds Sesheke and Mongu.
It remains unknown at what stage the two protestors could have died. Police have yet not confirmed the protests or the reported injury and death.
Calm was this afternoon restored with business resuming in Mongu.
Recently the BFM wrote a letter to President Rupiah Banda and copied it to all diplomatic embassies to demand that the new constitution restores the Baroste Agreement that guaranteed autonomy Western Province to the Litunga. They also threatened to secede from Zambia if their demands are not met.
They have embarked on some activities to raise the profile of Barotseland as an autonomous state within the state. A red flag with white stripes has been seen around while the Litunga uses a similar flag red flag with a black elephant in the middle of a white background.
The 1964 Barotse Agreement was cast away in immediately it was signed and its elements ignored and reneged by Zambia’s first president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda. Kaunda promoted a united nation that took all different tribes especially those that had a semblance of a “nation” the Bemba, Ngonis, Tonga s and Lozis.
In 1999, government banned the Barotseland Patriotic Front (BPF) of Imasiku Mutangelwa, when his alliance group in Caprivi Strip, Namibia called the Caprivian Liberation Army tried to take over Caprivi. The Barotse Freedom Movement seems to be a reincarnation of the Barotse Patriotic Front.
Recently the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE) an official entity of the Litunga (Paramount Chief Imwiko) called for the restoration and reenactment of the Barotse Agreement in the new constitution.
But police may charge the leaders of the BFM with treason as Zambia is unitary state.
Intelligence information is linking one journalist as among the organizers and leaders of the Barotse Freedom Movement.
83 Responses to Police kill two in Mongu protests over Barotseland agreement
Go Social
Firstly, allow me to say that most of the pipo commenting on issue are rather ignorant of the genuine motive behind wat happen in Mongu last saturday and wat the Lozi are asking for in general. Kindly research more or you may vex most of us familar and sympthetic with the Barotseland agreement as you make your ignorant comments. one of the bloggers on this platform was claiming that they are no resources in Western province n tht we cant sustain ourselves allow me to educate you. As i type a foreign company is illegally mining copper in Kasimba, Kaoma district. south african business pipo are treking to senanga west were diomond deposits have been discovered. wat of the diomonds and ivory from Shangombo and Kalabo, not to mention the waters of the Zambezi and fertile flood plain for farming to mention jus a few.
I do not condone wat happened last saturday n i simply condemn it but there is a side to this that these people are genuinely tryin to xpress. The marginalisation of the locals wen it comes to develepment and benefits from the local resources, if the province is a poor as u bluntly claim then give them their atonomy so that the suffer. Thez a better way of solving this,also note that some western nations are keenly following this. i rest my case
Swani - October 28, 2010
15:46
i honestly dont see how this is helping anyone. After all these years and all the intermarriages and evrything else…whats the point. What do u want to divide…the land or the people?
nike air jordan jumpman pro - October 27, 2010
11:55
i honestly dont see how this is helping anyone. After all these years and all the intermarriages and evrything else…whats the point. What do u want to divide…the land or the people?
tc - October 26, 2010
22:27
I was saddened RBs remarks b4 leaving 4 Chipata that it was ok that 3 were arrest. Is Zambia democratic or dectatorial? These pipo asked 4 a permit but denied. I think everyone has the right of speech and assembly. What was wrong 4 them holding a rally?
Akalupilipili! - October 26, 2010
19:01
ifimalozi fyalifulwa! mean utamalozi utumagelo twlitemwa ababemba nalitemwa ukulya utuma gelo utulozi, ati, inonge olo ka sanana
Mwine Lubemba - October 26, 2010
14:43
z man, thank you for your ignorance and illiteracy. If Barotseland breaks away from northern rhodesia, it will not go to either Angola or Nambia. Barotseland was a sovreign Nation before you thieves came to plead for our unit. Barotseland had her own national anthem, coat of arms, contitution and the peoples whch are the four pillars of recognition by the UNO under International Law. Potato head, wisen up. Read your history or if you can’t read, ask your grand father KK.
SIKUFELE - October 26, 2010
11:24
Bo sadist go and Barry yoself in the sand province
lupupa-lupupa - October 26, 2010
08:55
Imwee bantu, Let my people go in peace!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let my people go! - October 26, 2010
06:27
http://namzybraveheart.blogspot.com/2009/06/barotseland-agreement-1964.html
Namalyanga - October 25, 2010
20:34
This issue of Barotseland should be handled carefully, it has a potential to bring anarc to Zambia.
As for police, they should not always use weapons / shot at armless protestor, they are sending a signal to us that next time we decide to protest, we should be armed as well, armed enough so that we can protect ourselves from shoting police, if possible exchange fire…
Lovely Nalishiwa - October 25, 2010
18:43
Quote from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barotse : “Although Barotseland was incorporated into Northern Rhodesia, it retained a large degree of autonomy, which was carried over when Northern Rhodesia became Zambia on its independence in 1964. Although before colonial times, the region was self-sufficient in food and exported crops to neighbouring regions, today it is the least-developed region of Zambia, with only one major road into the province, from Lusaka to Mongu, and only intermittent supplies of electricity. There remains some support in the region for greater autonomy within Zambia or full independence”. Need one say more about some of the factless postings which aimlessly occupying quality space on this site?
Nikomokile - October 25, 2010
17:37
it is always said a fool sees a normal person a fool. Who is a fool between the so called creature maureen and saddist. It is without any benefit of doubt maureen. Thats why you are not Lozi because you a stupid, useless, blank slate who cannot reason even where a reason is there to reason. You are not Lozi and you will never be, that why you dont know how special Lozis are.. They are also beaultiful and Handsome plus intelligent. So shut up and seek medical attention for your mouth diarrhoea.
Lozi guerilla fighters - October 25, 2010
17:05
lozis lets all rise up and liberate our mother barosteland.lets us stand up fight for our land and our freedom. we need to rule ourselves if Zambia does not follow the agreement.
man-mori
Lozi guerilla fighters - October 25, 2010
16:58
lozi patience is like an elastic rubber,there is a limit to which you can stretch the rubber beyond which it will snap.in like manner our patience has reached its limit. we are fed up with the sorry excuse of politicians who lack the political will to adress the problems of barotseland.if there is only sand in w/province why are you bembas concerned??enough is enough,give us barotseland or give us death mr zambia!
nyaywa - October 25, 2010
16:54
Maureen,
i think this idiot blogger named saddist should for once try to shut up. he thinks he is the wisest blogger by always belittling others. it is empty heads like u who want to comment on everything with a know it all attitude. we are tired of you m…………………r.. let reasonable people like fadeup make informed comments. with u its just to oppose blindly. we know you are lozi but we still dont give a fuck. what is so special about a lozi??
maureen - October 25, 2010
15:20
All provinces of Zambia must break away from the corrupt regime based in Lusaka. It is not only Barotse that feel the pain of losing all resources to foreigners and their agents in statehouse and cabinet.
zulu - October 25, 2010
13:53
……………………
123 - October 25, 2010
11:28
My hrt beats for Balotseland, this is time for blood shed if zambia wont meet our demands,will try our best to huslte for military support from the intrested paties…it very easy to bring to zambia down…..lets face reality, KK left things unfished,this jus a smal kp of an iceberg..u tokin rubish abt balotseland u have neva seen war in zambia…..watch da space…..Viva Balotseland naha yaluna
Alqueda - October 25, 2010
10:01
Send our elite 48 Commando unit to slap the Litunga and his stupid indunas. Stupid fool think Zambia is redy for bloodshed! Check the activities of the few Lozi chaps RB has appointed lately, they could be behing this fracas!
Don Corleone - October 25, 2010
07:41
shut up u loziz ,we are one.why do u want to bring . police take action,strenghthen security on the western boader of zambia ,the govt should hold talks with the litunga (his highnes ).and if he continues trying to disunit zambia.the deal with him.sometimes in life we need to use force. this is nonse
CK - October 25, 2010
01:03
conflict brings about change…. all changes in history are due to conflict…. tired of being the ‘christian nation’. its that time of the day… go BRE, hope you dont stop until change is attained.
melgus - October 24, 2010
22:59
Lets cut the crap!!!
Peace - October 24, 2010
22:51
I fully support the action being taken by the BFM probably under the instruction of the BRE and the Litunga.
If this Batrotseland is allowed to secede from the rest of Zambia, it may be possible that a progress nation can come up composed of the current mighty Southern Province, parts of Eastern Province, Lusaka and Central provinces as well as the whole Copperbelt, Northwestern and Western provinces. This could leave a shell of Zambia being the underdeveloped Northern Province, Luapula, a large chunk of Eastern Province. The we could see how the Bembas would run their poor in resources area that could be attached to most of the better in usefulness Eastern Province.
With this in mind, I urge the BRE and BFM to call a meeting with 2011 presidential candidate HH over what is possible after he assumes the Presidency office of Zambia if they help him win in next year’s presidential elections.
What I need to see is that different provinces of Zambia can be let to work as states that form a Zambia federation which can have each of our current provinces working in a manner that people from such provinces will dictate as their way of governing themselves with the Western Province being governed by the BRE while the mighty Southern Province can have a political Parlaiment system that can be assisted by a House of Chiefs representatives.
Have a blessed day all.
_
Matt 6:33
Maestro Hhehhehhehhe for 2011 would-b President of Zambia HH - October 24, 2010
20:30
If you dont know anything on Baroste Agreement of 1964, you better keep your diarhoea struck mouth cemented. The only respected Traditional leader in Zambia in the entire world is the Litunga. Who else… So watch out!!!
Lozi guerilla fighters - October 24, 2010
19:36
Yes let them go. It is a difficult province to develop. Mongu/kalabo road 5 times more expensive than one in other provinces!!!! Thats bullsh**t.
mtombolilo - October 24, 2010
18:52
Jane…Actually a separate Western Province looks a great idea…because Zambia would be smaller ..and maybe just maybe make it easy to run. Just imagine, a separate country….Barotseland country.!!!..guess who will the first presidential visitor from Zambia? RB? So if these guys want a separate country, what logistics are there now , apart from a flag to make a country? Who will in charge?
HERE IS DEAL FOR BAROTSELAND PEOPLE?
MMD HAS FAILED YOU AND FAILED YOUR PROVINCE? PF/UPND WILL NOT FAIL YOU…SO COME 2011, VOTE FOR PACT GOVT, NOT MMD!!
Jane - October 24, 2010
17:58
Jane why write in capital letters? Are you screeming?
proud lozi - October 24, 2010
17:23
Okay..THE BRE PEOPLE MUST VOTE FOR 2011, IT IS MMD WHICH HAS FAILED TO DEVELOP WESTERN PROVINCE…REMEMBER IT IS WESTERN PROVINCE WHICH MADE RB PRESIDENT TODAY..SO THE BEST THING FOR WESTERN PROVINCE PEOPLE IS TO VOTE FOR PACT IN 2011…MMD HAS FAILED THEM, MMD HAS FAILED THEM! BRE PEOPLE MUST ENTER A PACT WITH PACT..THE INDEPENDENCE THING..FORGET IT…IF DEVELOPMENT IS BROUGH TO WESTERN PROVINCE, NO ONE WILL COMPLAIN OF A SEPERATE STATE..IT IS BECAUSE OF POOR CONDITIONS OF LIVING THAT PEOPLE ARE RIOTING…SO WOKE UP PEOPLE, MAKE A PACT WITH PACT!!
Jane - October 24, 2010
17:09
Leav litunga alone,this is pipo’s will after BA64 was left out of draft const,if anything not even those that ar in royal village knows his position yet, so if u want him to calm his pipo just reguest 4 dat.at the moment barotseland is like a divoced wife whos stil in da exhusband’s control. Viva naha yaluna
Simbotwe - October 24, 2010
16:10
the loss of 2 lives is serious violation of human rights..why weren’t these people allowed to assemble..?
Blackmuntu - October 24, 2010
16:05
Londener or its condom? U r such a crap,wat u hav jst posted showz how dull u r,very silly indeed,un educated zambian
proud lozi - October 24, 2010
15:57
I pity you guys..you ve lost alot along the way..most of your tribesmen are traitors..do this peacefully..
Blackmuntu - October 24, 2010
15:56
There is no wealth in Barotseland – no oil, no diamonds, no copper, nothing! Barotseland could not survive on its own hence the “wise” decision of the British for it to be part of Zambia because Namibia was not yet independent in 1964 and was not under the British. The boundaries of Barotseland was drawn on an error, which was nullified in 1964 – hence the territory previously known as “Barotseland” was nullified. The only part the Lozis or Luwis can claim in Mongu central – which cannot survive on its own. The rest is M’Bunda, Kololo, Teya, Ila and Kachokwe territory. Please BMF – go to court and seek legal advice. Don’t be naive!
Londoner - October 24, 2010
15:49