THREE traditional rulers have called on the British government and other countries accredited to Zambia to respect the country's sovereignty by desisting from interfering in its internal affairs.

And Pentecostal Assemblies of God chief bishop, Harrison Sakala and United Church of Zambia (UCZ) St Mathew's Congregation minister-in-charge, Mwape Chilekwa have also called for respect for Zambia's sovereignty.

Chief Chisunka of the Ushi people of Luapula, Chief Mwanachingwala of the Tonga people of Mazabuka in Southern Province, and Senior Chief Nzamane of the Ngoni people of Chipata in Eastern Province, said Britain should stop behaving as if it was still Zambia's colonial master.

The traditional leaders were commenting separately on some of the sentiments attributed to the British High Commission and other embassies following the verdict in the London High Court judgment registration case involving second Republican president Frederick Chiluba.

Chief Mwanachingwala said Zambia was an independent country whose leaders were capable of guiding the nation and, therefore, did not need any external interference.

"These people should stop interfering in our local affairs. This is not their country. Even Britain is no longer our colonial master, so why should it continue interfering in our issues?" he asked.

President Rupiah Banda recently said foreign envoys that had taken to interfering in the internal affairs of the country could pack their bags and leave because Zambia was a sovereign State.

Lusaka High Court Judge Evans Hamaundu rejected attempts to register the London judgment on account of the absence of reciprocal arrangements between the United Kingdom and Zambia.

Following the judgment, there have been various comments on the matter from both the opposition and some diplomats.

Chief Mwanachingwala said diplomats were free to advise host governments behind closed doors and not through the media.

"They have provisions of using proper channels and not the media. They should follow that channel," he said.

Senior Chief Nzamane said diplomats should adhere to their diplomatic ethics which should not be shifted merely because they were dealing with a developing country.

"We may be poor as a country but we are a sovereign State and therefore deserve respect from other countries including Britain," he said.

Chief Chisunka said foreign countries should respect Zambia's laws and procedures instead of interfering in national matters.

He said diplomats should equally respect the outcomes of the court processes in Zambia.

Bishop Sakala said it was wrong for a diplomat from any country to start telling off a government of the host country publicly whether it was wrong or not.

He said a diplomat should work peacefully with the host government to promote mutual understanding and respect instead of antagonising the host country.

Reverend Chilekwa said not even diplomats could interfere in the due judicial process in any country.