July 6, 2020

Sichaba sa Malozi,

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the contributions you continue to make towards the liberation of Barotseland from foreign occupation. I want to take this moment to assure you that you are on the right side of history. There are times when it may seem as if nothing is happening and our adversaries appear to be stronger and wealthier. Take heart and realize that as a nation and as a people, we have passed through the worst. Kaunda and all his successors have continuously worked towards the erasure of Barotseland from history and the map of Africa, “There is no power on earth that can undo [Barotseland]” (Ali Jinnah). Bana ba Hesu, we have a deep history and heritage, Barotseland is our gift from God, we don’t need to beg for our nation in a foreign parliament.

I am aware that some of our brothers and sisters have since gone back on our solemn commitment made at the BNC meeting held in 2012 to disengage from the Barotseland Agreement which Northern Rhodesian unilaterally abrogated.  I would like to reiterate that on Tuesday March 27, 2012, The Lozi nation reverted to her status prior to the signing of Barotseland Agreement 1964. Lozis who claim to be championing the Barotseland cause in a foreign parliament are in effect diverting the population of Barotseland from focusing on implementing the 2012 BNC resolutions. They are betraying their motherland for personal political careers in a foreign land.   Their so-called strategy is just a veil covering a collective self-serving agenda. Bana ba Hesu, all the gains we have made so far only took place since we broke from the North Eastern Rhodesia stranglehold in 2012. In 2012 we stood up to demand our rightful place in the international community.

Finally, the world is listening to us. In 2016 we made North Eastern Rhodesia account for unlawful occupation of Barotseland at The African Commission on Human and People’s rights in Banjul, Gambia, we asked the Permanent Council on Arbitration (PCA) to intervene as well as presenting to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Republic of Zambia during the 28th Session, November 2017.  Now we are bona fide members Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), which provides us with international visibility which we lacked in our years of seclusion from 1964. BNFA representatives will be attending the ONLINE UNPO General Assembly July 31-August 2, 2020.  Suggestions on pertinent issues you would like for us to share with the international community are all welcome.

Shangwe,

Signed

Mukwae Wabei Siyolwe