Barotseland, the kingdom of the Lozi people, was a protectorate under British colonial rule and became part of Zambia at the country's independence in 1964. The area is now known as Western Province. There are approximately 5 million people living in Barotseland. In terms of the Barotseland Agreement of 1964 the area became part of Zambia. It's alleged that Zambia did not comply with the terms and conditions of that agreement, therefore rendering it null and void. In 2012, the districts of Barotseland resolved to be separated from Zambia and they started advocating for their right to self-determination. In 2013, Afumba Mombotwa was sworn in as the Administrator General of Barotseland in defiance of the Zambian government's jurisdiction over that area.
Subsequently, three of the Barotseland Kingdom leaders were arrested in December 2014 on charges of treason.
They were tried and convicted in March 2016 and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. ,In April 2018, they lodged an appeal against both the conviction and sentence but their appeal has not been heard. I'm now joined in Studio by Secretary General of Linyungandambo Youth League, Chris Lubasi Kalaluka and the League's Secretary for International Relations Bright Nyame.
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