The Oasis Forum in Northern Province has called for an immediate withdrawal of the National Constitution Conference Bill which is currently under debate in Parliament if the country is to come up with a people-driven constitution.
The Oasis Forum made the call in Kasama over the weekend during the launch of the
Red Ribbon Campaign held at Ludo Lodge.
Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) Provincial Chairman, Reverend Patrick Mwanza,
said withdrawing the bill would be the best way to accommodate other citizens in the
constitution making process.
Rev. Mwanza observed that the current constitution making process appears to be
difficult for Zambians, adding that it is unfair to people who submitted to the
Mungomba Constitution who want the constitution to be adopted through the
constituent assembly.
He said people want the constitution to be adopted through constituent assembly
which was more representative and non manipulative unlike the NCC.
And another discussant, Robert Bwalya, wondered why Zambia Centre for Inter Party
Dialogue (ZCID had sidelined non governmental organisations and the church in its
deliberations on the constitution.
He said it was sad that the ruling party and some opposition parties were now
advising the church to concentrate on religious matters instead of discussing the
constitution.
Mr. Bwalya explained that the church was there to represent the majority of the
people and always intervene whenever stakeholders failed to reach consensus.
