Press Statement - 23rd August, 2012

The official position of the Barotse National Youth League (BNYL) on the above mentioned subject matter is as follows;

Barotseland National Youth League has accepted and ratified the transitional constitution of the Royal Barotseland which is both on Barotseland.info and Barotsepost.com websites because we are aware that it has been recognized by the international community, therefore, we cannot afford wasting time criticizing  LINYUNGANDAMBO, as an internationally recognized Barotseland Liberation Movement, when in fact they have done a good, fantastic and wonderful job, thereby relieving the burden of the people of Barotseland as a whole.

Due to that fact we as BNYL support LINYUNGANDAMBO for the job well done and the concerted efforts they have made to prove to us that they understand both international politics as well as international law on how countries are liberated, governed and run the world over.

It must be noted also that as per international standards, Barotseland cannot form government without a website and a constitution, among other requirements such as; the National flag, National Anthem, National or public seal, coat of arms, National Currency, National Postage Stamps, Name of the Country as well as the National Language. All these requirements have been secured and presented to the international community through the leadership of the LINYUNGANDAMBO.

If we look critically at the Barotseland.info website we will discover that everything that is needed to run the affairs of the country are actually all there. That is the standard which has been set internationally, and as Barotzish we cannot runaway from that fact, unless we still want to be part and parcel of Zambia of which us the BNYL shall never accept such notion or opinion, instead we urge those who still want to be part of Zambia to go to Zambia and stay there, instead of them trying to mislead the innocent Barotzish and destabilize the formation of the Royal Barotseland interim government.

We have resolved to rally behind LINYUNGANDAMBO because they have been consistent in their campaign for SELF DETERMINATION for Barotseland. They have had, as their sole agenda, the freedom of Barotseland from the time they were formed, and they are the only ones with a constitution that has submitted that the LITUNGA [KING] of Royal Barotseland shall forever remain the HEAD OF STATE.

Therefore, those that deceive people that LINYUNGANDAMBO is fighting against the LITUNGA, and that they hate the LITUNGA and BRE, are just being malicious and treacherous towards the LINYUNGANDAMBO and are not being truthful. Consequently, they are fighting the cause of forming the interim government for the Royal Barotseland and therefore, we consider them traitors as well as sellouts. We therefore, want to categorically state here that such characters shall never be tolerated from henceforth.

We are also aware that some of the movements in Barotseland started off advocating the restoration of the abrogated BA64, and they have not officially changed their aims and objectives, at least not to our knowledge.

Therefore, we don’t know the agenda or program of action for some of such movements. We challenge them to state their agenda and program of action so that the world and the people of Barotseland can know what they stand on.

We are also aware that some of such movements think that Barotseland's statehood and independence quest need to be taken to the ICJ, a misguided view in our understanding, as no country has ever attained independence through courts of law. There is simply no precedent. However, what exist as precedent is the Unilateral Declaration of Independence, through which many nations have acquired their independence. If Zambia would want to contest our Declaration of Independence, Zambians are the ones who should go to court, and we have no doubt that such a case would most definitely  be won by Barotseland, as SELF DETERMINATION is not only a human rights matter that is backed by international law, but also our Right as Barotseland.

Furthermore, we have always wondered why some of such movements are hiding? Why don’t they come out in the open and tell the people of Barotseland their agenda, manifesto, vision, what they have done so far and the program they have for Barotseland. The LINYUNGANDAMBO and BNYL have not hidden themselves, the agenda, manifestos, visions and programs they have for Barotseland are all out in the public domain. Their names are all known as they do not hide their identities.

As BNYL we have also resolved to rally behind RT. HON. AFUMBA MOMBOTWA as ADMINISTRATOR-GENERAL for the Royal Barotseland Interim Government, because of the following traits in him; He has integrity, he is hardworking, he is down to earth, he has already created good rapport with the international community, who have already recognized him as such, he is courageous and fearless, he is a visionary leader, he embraces every person, he has listening skills, he has the heart for the poor and all Barotzish from all walks of life, he also has excellent and honorable leadership qualities, and therefore, we need such a leader to lead us into the transitional period. We cannot afford to have, and we as youths shall not let opportunists to lead us because it is costly, and that’s how  many African  countries failed to progress because opportunists were allowed to take a leading role. Let those opportunists wait for national elections after the transitional period is over.

In addition we have resolved never to let those that backed out from the shadow cabinet last year in 2011 to be re-appointed to the transitional government and put special emphasis that they shall and must not be included in the interim government for Royal Barotseland this time around because they misused their opportunity and they showed us that they are not fit to run the affairs of the Royal Barotseland.

These ‘fellows’ even went to both print and electronic media such as channel Africa, post newspaper, Daily Nation where they called LINYUNGANDAMBO all sorts of names such as lunatics – all because the LINYUNGANDAMBO had included them in a proposed shadow cabinet for Royal Barotseland in the interim capacity. This showed us that they are cowards and surely honestly speaking how can you call your fellow compatriots and fellow freedom fighters lunatics? With due respect this is totally unacceptable to us as the youths of Barotseland, and it shows lack of respect to fellow compatriots which must be condemned in the strongest terms by all level headed Barotzish.

In conclusion may we simply make it clear that the Transitional Constitution for the Royal Barotseland is authentic and it shall be used as a corner stone for governance and maintaining of law and order in Barotseland during the transitional period, because that is the standard which is set by international community, until an all inclusive popular constitution is developed for Royal Barotseland.

It is now not possible to write a popular constitution for Barotseland because it is not feasible as Barotseland is not yet self governing. Who will finance the budget, for say, a referendum to come up with a popular constitution before we are yet self governed? Who will mobilize the Barotseland Nationals for this? Who would even be eligible to participate if such a referendum was to be held? All these will only be possible with an interim government in place and Barotseland Citizens will be called upon to make a constitution for themselves by an all-inclusive process.

We, therefore, urge all well meaning Barotzish to give support to the interim institutions that have been set up thus far. We are preview to the fact that these structures and efforts have won international acceptance, and that the international community are ready to recognize the new Royal Barotseland State and Government.

We should not derail our progress any further through innuendos from those that have not presented any program of governance or road map to independence. As earlier stated above some of them were even invited to participate in the process of governance formation but declined, with insults, due to either lack of commitment or sheer cowardice. Linyungandambo’s commitment so far has been un questionable!!

We are also preview to allegations that some of the so called liberation movements have in fact attempted to renegotiate with Zambia so that the March 26th / 27th BNC resolutions, that affirmed Barotseland to pursue her own political and economic destiny independent from Zambia are nullified, a situation that we shall not tolerate!!

We wish to caution that anyone who undermines the authority of the LITUNGA [KING] or NGOCANA, who shall forever remain the HEAD OF STATE, the LORD CHANCELLOR (Minyolui) and the RT.HON.ADMINISTRATOR-GENERAL (or Prime Minister after the transition) of the Royal Barotseland, commits treason felony.

Yours Sincerely

Barotseland Youths

MASIYALETI MASIYALETI (Signed) - NATIONAL DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL/ COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER  

SIKWIBELE WASILOTA (Signed) - COORDINATOR/DEPUTY BNYL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER