MUNDUBILE COMMITS TO DIALOGUE ON BAROTSELAND AGREEMENT IF ELECTED PRESIDENT
National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity –NRPUP- presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has committed to genuine dialogue with the Barotse Royal Establishment over the 1964 Barotseland agreement if elected president next week.
Speaking at Limulunga Palace in Mongu, Western Province when he met the Kuta and traditional leaders this morning, Mr. Mundubile said the long-standing national question continues to affect national unity and weighs heavily on the country’s conscience.
He said his administration would engage the Barotse Royal Establishment within a mutually agreed framework to resolve the matter with dignity and fairness, in the spirit of “one Zambia, one nation”.
Mr. Mundubile further pledged to decriminalize public discussion of the 1964 agreement, stating that no citizen should be arrested solely for discussing the Barotseland question.
And Mr. Mundubile has noted with concern that Western Province has consistently recorded the highest levels of poverty and lowest levels of development in Zambia, due to prolonged marginalization and underinvestment by successive governments.
He said his party once voted into office will address this through a dedicated marshall plan for the province, developed in consultation with the Barotse establishment religious leaders, civil society, and government institutions.
Meanwhile, the Barotse Royal Establishment through his right honourable Ngambela Mukela Manyando has welcomed Mr. Mundubile’s commitment to dialogue on the 1964 Barotseland agreement, noting that lack of understanding around the agreement has created unnecessary friction in the region and across the country.
By Patricia Mbewe