BAROTSE NATIONAL FREEDOM ALLIANCE

March 30, 2023

Mr. Hakainde Hichilema

President of the Republic of Zambia

State House

Lusaka

Dear Mr. President,

OPEN LETTER TO REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA ON ABROGATION OF THE BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT OF 1964

The Barotse National Freedom Alliance (BNFA) has the honour to write to Your Excellency, this "OPEN LETTER" on the issue of the abrogated Barotseland Agreement of 1964.

The BNFA is a grouping of interested and  concerned citizens of Barotseland now called Western Province. The Alliance was formed for the sole purpose of implementing the sovereign Resolutions of the Barotse National Council (BNC) of March 26-27, 2012 held on the grounds of St. Lawrence Catholic Church at Limulunga in Mongu, capital of Barotseland.

The BNC is the supreme policy organ of Barotseland headed by the Barotse Royal Establishment (BRE).

The aforementioned BNC was sanctioned by The Litunga, King of Barotseland and he was duly presented with the Resolutions. A copy of the Resolutions which are self-explanatory is attached hereto for your ease of reference.

Your Excellency may wish to recall that the United Party for National Development (UPND) was represented by a high-powered delegation on your full authorization as Party President.

Your Excellency may also wish to recall that a copy of "BAROTSE NATIONAL FREEDOM ALLIANCE POSITION STATEMENT" was presented to you several months prior to the August 12, 2021 General Elections. The comprehensive document highlights the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 (BA 1964). The main one provides for either Party to withdraw if the Agreement is breached or abrogated. It is an open secret, a true and indisputable fact that the Late First Republican President Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda (MHSRIP) unilaterally abrogated the BA 1964 in 1969.

Following this development, the general populace of Barotseland have continued to agitate for an amicable, diplomatic and most importantly PEACEFUL resolution to the long-standing impasse which is precisely what the BNFA stands for.

Sadly, all past Governments of The Republic of Zambia have either ignored, neglected or simply refused to dialogue on the matter of the Barotseland Agreement. Instead Government has used high-handed methods against innocent citizens whose only desire and demand is return to self-determination as legally provided for in the BA 1964.

The Dr. Roger Chongwe Commission Report on the so-called Mongu disturbances of 2012 attests to the fact that many people including babies, children and the elderly were traumatised, incarcerated, tortured and even killed on the orders of the Government of the day.

The BNFA greatly appreciates Your Excellency's recent declaration that this must not and indeed will not be allowed to happen ever again. We also take serious note of Your Excellency's assurance that the matter of Barotseland is under discussion. Mr. President, however, you did not disclose  with whom you are engaging with. It is, therefore, our prayer that you are engaging with appropriate people or group of persons for any meaningful and  sustainable solution to the impasse to materialize. Her Honour The Vice-President Mdm. Mutale Nalumango recently assured the nation, on the floor of The House, that the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 was under study by your Government. We find her statement rather strange because BA 1964 has been in existence for well over 50 years. We can only conclude that it is purely procrastination on the part of Government.

And in further pursuit of a PEACEFUL AND SUSTAINABLE RESOLUTION, the BNFA did submit PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION SUBMISSION AGREEMENT to your predecessor President Edgar Chagwa Lungu for his necessary consideration and action. Soon after your accession to the Presidency, the BNFA invited you to sign the Permanent Court of Arbitration Agreement through its lawyers, Aceris Law, on September 30, 2021. The BNFA has, however, not been favoured with any response. We attach copies of the same for your easy of reference and signature. We insist that if indeed the Zambian Government has any good case in the matter, then Your Excellency should not hesitate to sign the PCA Arbitration Agreement in the interest of future good neighbourliness and peaceful coexistence.

On it's part, BNFA pledges to respect the outcome of the arbitration process.

Your Excellency Sir, we humbly submit for your consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Katukula Mwiya

SECRETARY GENERAL