By Francis Chipalo
Chairman of the House of Chiefs, His Royal Highness Chief Bundabunda of the Soli people of Lusaka Province, has condemned remarks attributed to former Botswana President Ian Khama, in which he reportedly described President Hakainde Hichilema as “Africa’s Newest Dictator.”
Chief Bundabunda said the House of Chiefs has taken note of the remarks with grave concern.
He said it was particularly concerning that the remarks were made in Ntlo ya Dikgosi, Botswana’s House of Chiefs, an institution that is expected to uphold dignity, mutual respect and restraint in public discourse.
“While we recognise that the Governments of Zambia and Botswana may be addressing this matter through bilateral diplomatic channels, we must state that His Excellency President Hichilema, besides being our Head of State, is also our subject and our son,” Chief Bundabunda stated.
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“As custodians of our traditions and the dignity of our people, we cannot remain silent when he is disparaged from a foreign traditional platform.”
The traditional leader said when such pronouncements cross borders, the responsibility of Zambian traditional leaders to respond through appropriate traditional channels must necessarily extend beyond them.
He described the characterisation of President Hichilema as a dictator as regrettable, unwarranted and inconsistent with the courtesy expected between traditional leaders.
“The standing of a royal institution should lend wisdom and balance to public discourse, and any grave accusation should be supported by verifiable evidence,” he said.
Chief Bundabunda said in keeping with the dignity of the traditional stools and the longstanding bonds between the peoples of Zambia and Botswana, the matter will be brought before Zambia’s House of Chiefs in due course for a formal position to be expressed.
“We expect the same respect for our institutions, our people and our Head of State that we accord to those of Botswana,” he added.
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