New Minister of Justice Edgar Lungu has formally asked to meet Grand Coalition to discuss constitution in Lusaka on Thursday, 11 September 2014.
This is according a to media statement released to the media and signed by Grand Coaltion Campaign Chairperson Father Leonard Chiti this evening.
Below is the full statement
Minister of Justice formally asks to meet Grand Coalition to discuss constitution
Lusaka, 08 September 2014
The Grand Coalition Campaign for a People Driven Constitution has today, Monday 08 September 2014 received a formal note from the Minister of Justice, Honourable Edgar Lungu asking to meet with the Grand Coalition.
The meeting will be held in Lusaka on Thursday, 11 September 2014. The Grand Coaltion will issue a detailed statement after the meeting.
This follows media reports last week that indicated that the Minister plans to meet with the Grand Coalition this week. On its part, the Grand Coalition held a Steering Committee meeting last week and resolved to accept a formal invitation to meet with the minister ‘to compare notes’ on how to move the stalled constitution making process forward.
As a coalition, we view this as a step in the right direction for the Constitution making process.
Issued by
Fr. Leonard Chiti
Chairperson, Grand Coaltion Campaign for a People Driven Constitution
Next thing we know, Edgar is President!
Way to go. I unfortunately can`t foresee a new constitution before 2016 . It is not practical, i stand to be proven wrong though.
Thank you @Saulosi. Can you please ellaborate what makes it not practical? I guess you will menttion the fact that we will be heading towards general elections and as such the expense of having a referendum followed by an election will be expensive. Fortunately, most of the preparation has been done in generating the final draft document and some partnering counteries are ready to fund the process. Finally, refer to the Kenyan constitution as to the length it took from start to end (under to years and we have just a few steps to go which in my estimation would be done in max a year). Do not always see hurdles, some times see opportunities and possibilities.
@Mfumu
Well said. Yes that’s my major concern. Its about which process might help us save some money. I’m pretty sure you saw my earlier post where i raised similar concerns.The expenses involved in running a referendum and general elections within a space of a few months is not healthy for a struggling economy like Zambia. Anyway like i said i stand to be proven wrong. Nothing is absolute in this world.
@Saulosi, nice to have a debate and see each others point of view. Would you have same misgivings if the funds were provided by the willing donor community and that the time frame of the enactment fell within a year which would leave a year to general elections, assuming no forced elections surfaced in the intervening time? I hope it wouldn’t be a case of changing goal posts, that that money can be better used for other pressing issues even if its being funded by extarnal agencies specifically for a new constitution. We wait and see/hear.
@Mfumu
No if the money will come from external sources i won`t have any qualms about that whatsoever. My only worry is having an avoidable costly process. Its about what will prove feasible at the end of the day. Lets wait and see indeed.
I like the way Saulosi and Mfumu are engaging each other . Though they don’t see things the same way, you can see that they respect each other’s point of view.This is what we want to see. Big up guys.
@Mfumu!
As much as you see it that way “Donors!” as a funding source, Lets not forget what they stand for “Homos” If they give you cash, they will manipulate the outcome too. As an Independent Nation celebrating Jubilee, LETS NOT LOOK AT BEGGING
This is the right thing to do for the smart people of the Zambian Enterprise … long over due, great move and kudos to Mr. Lungu.
A good gesture – unfortunately nations cannot develop on good gestures.
I hope PF can at the very least, set a roadmap, if they know what that is.
A new constitution is key to Zambia’s development, and it will be folly for PF to keep jerking us around using the constitution as a dangling carrot.
This will be the second time we’ll be falling for this trick.
Let us wait until Thu.
#OneZambia
For the last 3years this country was being run by membe and we have all seen what this comrade did regarding the constitution making procceses that worked agaist his interest. And if Winter was as popuoar as being potrayed , why cant he form his own political party like sata did when he was sidelined by ChilubaMHSRIP
Was everyone so scared of Kabimba that they couldnt talk to him about the constitution making process?
@ Wonzuna; people and even the group under discussion tried engaging Wynter but Wynter was to arrogant and with his own agenda that he never listened.
Edgar Lungu looks like a rotten tomato and smells like pig sty. he and his honorable boss; the cabbage, should get a room. evans mfula at evaduco reporting live from the local bus in lusaka
Lungu is sending the right noises. But Zambians, please Zambians. Don’t be fooled. Sata will never change. he has been a lier o his political life. He lied his way to the Presidency. So, Lungu is being used. B4 he knows it he will oso be in the same web that Winter found himself in – the one where u can’t explain yo actions. Lungu will soon be instructed to shelve this subject. Tell me, if this is serious – WHY HAS HE NOT FIRST REALESED THE DRAFT. Then tell us about road maps.
Accepting the invitation is a very responsible gesture. To get things done, the consultation is not a luxury; it is necessary. However, in meeting senior government officials, the doctrine of State reason is helpful. This doctrine presumes that government representatives have the mandate to provide leadership. Government is entitled to a benefit of doubt or trust. This is an allowance that permits government to perform duties to the best of its ability without undue pressure from any opposition parties, interest groups, individuals, etc. In this way the peaceful atmosphere is used as the basis for national development.
Grand Coalition to discuss constitution is not the final representation for all the Zambian citizens, not at all, but what i think is that his Hon the Minister of Defence, Acting justice Minister, want to understand how it should be done, but otherwise this is the good way to understand the way issues are run………..all the best Hon minister of Defence, Acting Justice minister