Zambia tribal chiefs slam treason charge on opposition

By Francis Maingaila

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Tribal chiefs in southern Zambia have suspended traditional annual ceremonies in solidarity with opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader who has been charged with treason.

Some political commentators warn the move may be the beginning of a total division in Zambia if the situation is not defused with care.

Senior Chief Mukuni told the media on behalf of other chiefs in the country’s Southern Province that the decision to cancel 14 ceremonies, which are usually attended by hundreds of people from Africa and beyond to learn about their way of life, was because the region was mourning the incarceration of UPND leader, Hakainde Hichilema.

Hichilema was arrested in April after being accused of trying to overthrow the current government. The opposition party leader claims the sitting President, Edgar Lungu, won the election in August last through fraud. UPND leader will now go on trial to face the treason charge.

Zambia is a Unitary State composed of Barotseland and Northern Rhodesia. Hichilema controls six of the 10 provinces including Western, North-Western, Central, Part of Copperbelt and Lusaka that form Barotseland. He also controls Southern province of Zambia.

“Our people will not dance and wine with government officials bent on prosecuting innocent people base on political grounds to this end; all ceremonies scheduled to begin between July and December are canceled,” Mukuni said.

Alex Ngoma a political scientist, said: “The only sure solution to the problem at hand is dialogue otherwise, Zambia is heading towards a total division.”