African Constitutionalism and Barotseland

Abstract

Current constitutions of African States, such as Zambia, are a mix of traditional features, exemplified by chieftainship and customary law, and mainly of European-type ones, so they are marked by glocalization. Besides, it is no coincidence that the British protectorate of Barotseland within the protectorate of Northern Rhodesia was incorporated in the Republic of Zambia, with some privileges being granted on the basis of the 1964 Barotseland Agreement, but with no clause in the 1964 Zambian Constitution. Kaunda’s ruling party of Zambia was initially prepared to allow the process of Barotseland’s submission to Zambian rule to transpire gradually and gently, which reminds slightly of the British intervention in the Cretan autonomous State, from 1903 to 1906. The Consul General Howard against the High Commissioner of Crete managed to ‘’…let him down gently’’. In 1969 the Barotseland Agreement was terminated abruptly whilst a revival of this controversial question has recently taken place.