Friday, February 24, 2012

Sata disappoints Fodep over Barotseland

THE Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) Executive Director MacDonald Chipenzi has described the statement by Mr. Sata on the as unfortunate and disappointing.

Mr Chipenzi said his organization is disappointed with Mr. Sata’s statement as it had potential to sadden the concerned parties.

“The statement by President Sata is very disturbing to the people aggrieved because these people were promised during campaigns that there is a possibility of the restoration,” he said.

He said that there is need for government to go back to the people and discuss the issue so that they suggest the way forward.

Mr Chipenzi has noted that it was imperative for government to call for an indaba or consultations that would explain the complexity of the restoration.

He said Government should engage the people of Western Province and traditional leaders in order to find the way forward.

Mr Chipenzi has since appealed to the people of Western Province to refrain from any violence activities and remain calm as the relevant authorities will be dealing with the issue at hand.

Last year in his campaign messages in Mongu, Mr. Sata assured the people of Western Province that once voted into power he would restore the Barotseland Agreement of 1964.

Yesterday, President Sata said after receiving the report that if government goes ahead to restore the agreement, there would be confusion as all the provinces would demand autonomy. Mr Sata said it was easy to make such a recommendation but one had to bear in mind that every tribe would want to secede.

No comments:

Subscribe Now