Press Statement by HRH Chief Chisunka, Chairperson of the House of Chiefs
Immediate Release : Condemnation of Disrespectful Language Towards
President Hichilema
23″ January 2024
I, HRH Chief Chisunka, Chairperson of the House of
Chiefs, strongly express my deepest disapproval and
condemnation of the disrespectful language used
towards President Hichilema by a youth group calling
themselves the Barotse Nationalist Youth Alliance, as
seen in a video circulating on social media.
Let me be clear: President Hichilema is not just the
president of Western Province, but the president of
all Zambia. He was elected by the Zambians, not by
any specific region or tribe. As such, he deserves the
respect and dignity befitting his office, regardless of
personal opinions or grievances.
The use of disrespectful language in this video, and any calls for division or anarchy, are completely
unacceptable. As traditional leaders, we have a responsibility to promote unity and peace within
our communities and across the nation. We cannot condone such actions that threaten the very
peace of our society.
| also urge my fellow traditional leaders, particularly those in Western Province, to join me in this
condemnation. Let us not condone or tolerate disrespectful language, regardless of its source.
Instead, let us guide our youth towards responsible avenues of expressing their concerns and
seeking redress. We must equip them with the tools of constructive dialogue and encourage them
to engage with their leaders through established channels.
Let us remember the importance of unity and respect, not only for the president but for all
Zambians. Zambia has come too far, through too much struggle and sacrifice, to allow itself to be
divided by the misguided words of a few. Let us stand together, hand in hand, as one united nation,
and show the world the true power of Zambian unity.
HRH Chief Chisunka
Chairperson, House of Chiefs
Chairperson , Luapula Province Chiefs Council
The Litunga should come out of his cacoon and say something about this nonsense. His silence shows he’s in support of those disgruntled lumpens!
Who is instigating this nonsense? Some politician is certainly behind all this. And the BRA and other traditional establishments in Western Province should not just ignore such. And for the sake of argument, what will these young people do if the President goes to attend the Kuomboka Ceremony? Will they chase him away?
I am lozi and do not support secession of Western Province NEVER. However, HH was not magnanimous and very careless to comment on the issue so causally. It is a fact that the Agreement exists therefore you can’t just so cheaply brush it aside. What message are you sending to the other Party. Don’t they have a case to urge?
It appears Chief Chisunka does not understand Silozi at all or is their another video recording he was referring to? In the attached video the youths are standing next to the entrance to the Litungas palace which has the inscription of THE LITUNGA , KING OF BAROTSELAND. They are wondering if HH came for Kuomboka ceremony and saw this inscription ? Where is the disrespect and insult in this ? Perhaps herein lies the differences in our cultural norms . In LOZI culture we believe in openness and truthfulness. We will tell it to the KING and Chiefs as it is and in doing so this is not disrespectful and insulting. Chief Chisunka is free to have his opinion on national matters but these must be founded on truth.
The problem is the Chief of the Lozi people, the Litunga. It starts with him and ends with him. We have been having the Linyungadambo nonsense for some time now, and the Chief of the Lozi people has chosen to be quiet. His silence is too loud . This is like giving tacit approval to what the seccetionists are saying..Let him come out in the open on were he stands, otherwise we will conclude he is the mastermind behind all this.
The problem starts with all the chiefs of Western province,whenever this issue of baroseland arises they tend to be all quiet instead of coming out strongly giving their position on the issue,the litunga himself has never said anything to deter all those advocating for baroseland confusion otherwise this issue would have been buried a long time had these chiefs produced a word as pertaining to their stance,wake up my cousins stop advocating for a new colonial rule that we have already forgotten.
“Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something.” – PLATO
And fools (persons who lack critical thinking) easily forget what they have said earlier, they are inconsistent.
In philosophy a fool is a person who lacks critical thinking.
They don’t mean what they say, but for survival. Don’t believe them, believe only Jesus Christ.
But Technology always shames them by reminding them about what they have said before on social media platforms, radio stations and television interviews.
Litunga and his Kuta are wise men.
The Kuta comprises of the Litunga, chiefs and area Indunas. The meeting is on right now.