Katima Mulilo
The Zambezi Regional Governor, Lawrence Sampofu is disappointed that despite the Chiefs’ Forum he initiated in 2012 to unite the four traditional authorities in the region and stamp out tribalism, ethnic sectarianism continues unabated.
Chiefs from the traditional authorities of the Mashi (Chief Joseph Tembwe Mayuni), the Mayeyi (Chief Boniface Shufu), Mafwe (Chief George Simasiku Mamili) and Masubia (Chief Kisco Liswani III) comprise the Chiefs’ Forum in the northeast Zambezi Region.
Sampofu bemoaned their failure to address the scourge of tribalism, said to be rife in Zambezi, when he spoke in front of some of the chiefs during President Hage Geingob’s familiarisation visit to the Zambezi that began on Wednesday and ended yesterday.
The regional governor attributed ongoing tribal animosity to unresolved land disputes. “There are still some hotspots pertaining to land squabbling amongst our communities and this is a concern. Land is a very essential commodity, and if used properly will bring development, but if used incorrectly would divide us,” he said.
He believes prompt intervention involving all ethnic groups would bring positive results, saying: “Through the land policy and the intervention of our land board and the traditional authorities as custodians of land, an amicable solution can be found.”
Sampofu noted that all the four traditional authorities supported the forum when it was first created, but that it has become redundant as hostilities and mistrust continue to deepen.
“The aim of establishing the forum was to unite our honourable chiefs, so that they could talk and plan together and unite their subjects, but tribalism is still rocking this region. At the initial stage, all the honourable chiefs supported this noble cause,” Sampofu said.
Describing tribalism in the region as a “satanic disease”, he nevertheless pledged he would continue in his efforts to unite the divided region. “All that I am praying for is to see our honourable chiefs talking and visiting one another. I look forward to them having meetings and talking to their subjects about fighting tribalism, the satanic disease in this region. We will not be too tired to maintain peace and stability,” Sampofu promised.
Zambezi region has a long history of bitter ethnic rivalry over land, particularly between the Masubia and the Mafwe. At the centre of the long-standing feud is the area of Sikanjabuka in eastern Zambezi, with both tribal authorities claiming jurisdiction.
To counter the threat posed by tribal disputes Sampofu initiated the Chiefs’ Forum in 2012 made up of all chiefs, along with a limited number of senior traditional councillors, officials from the regional and local authority councils, legal advisors and other officials.
The main purpose of the forum is to advance dialogue in seeking solutions to land disputes and to unite all ethnic tribes in the Zambezi Region.