How Barotse National Freedom Alliance was formed

How Barotse National Freedom Alliance (Bnfa) was formed

by Saleya Kwalombota

The opinion expressed here is as a result of carefully examination of events of the aftermath of the 2012 Barotse National Council (BNC). In order to make this article relevance and justice to would be readers, I decided to start with a purpose of the 2012 BNC conference.

The BNC is summoned to address far reaching policy matters when the Barotse Government (authority) constituted for the time being, determines that it does not possess mandate to resolve a particular issue. The BNC that was convened in March 2012 was, accordingly, called to make a policy decision and give direction on the matter of The Barotseland Agreement 1964 which, although was terminated by Zambia in 1969, has continually been a source of contention with Barotse Government and populace at large.

In line with this, the birth of the Barotse National Freedom (BNFA) was necessitated by the BRE's change of heart by turning against the 2012 Barotse National Council (BNC) Resolutions. This was exacerbated by Hon. Mr. Clement Wainyae Sinyinda’s resignation as Ngambela of Barotseland, and the attendant realisation that his resignation threatened the implementation of the BNC resolutions so, sensing the need for unity of purpose, an ad hoc committee of representatives of the Barotse Freedom Movement (BFM), Linyungandambo, the Movement for the Restoration of Barotseland (MOREBA), and the Barotse National Youth League (BNYL) met on 3rd February, 2013 under the aegis of the Groups Liaison committee to address urgent matters affecting Barotseland, and come up with possible resolutions on the way forward.

Out of this gathering a declaration was made that this be a foundation for a bigger all-encompassing, umbrella, civil society to spearhead the civic and political initiatives aimed at galvanising both local and international support in the implementation of the BNC resolutions.

Thus the BNFA was formed in March 2013, to continue to give impetus to the implementation of the resolutions. Indeed, in the intervening period following Mr. Sinyinda’s resignation, the BNFA became aware that the BRE had been brought under extreme pressure by the Zambian Government in an attempt to dissuade them from pursuing the people’s resolve in respect of the 2012 BNC Resolutions.

The fore-named civic society organisations had worked feverishly and tirelessly to ensure the successful convening and execution of the BNC resolutions and therefore, had a stake in seeing to it that the resolutions were implemented within the spirit and letter of the council.

The civil society organisations that started working with the Ngambela in organising the BNC conference had continued working with him in the implementation of the resolutions. Indeed, in the few months following the BNC and working together with the same civic organisations, the erstwhile Ngambela had initiated several projects related to the implementation of the resolutions.

In summary, at its inception, BNFA’s executive committee comprised representatives of all the above named civic organisations, which were active in Barotseland before and immediately after the BNC conference. The expectation was that, once established this new umbrella organisation would serve as a rallying point for the hitherto discrete organisations in supporting Namuso to plan and execute the transition towards the total liberation of Barotseland in line with the BNC resolutions 5, 6, 8 and 9.

In conclusion, the aforementioned is the duty and responsibility of which the BNFA carries even to this day and is committed in discharging without fear or fail. On 8^th July 2016, BNFA transformed itself into a mass organisation. Therefore, the people of Barotseland should continue supporting BNFA's legitimacy derived from the reason for its formation.