A constitution is many things. One of these is a vision of the country and a statement of its values. This cannot be reduced to mere ping-pong between politicians or indeed other players. We cannot minimize this process to a Wynter Kabimba versus Edgar Lungu affair as some sections of society and media houses would want us to. How Mr. Wynter Kabimba handled the constitution-making process compared to how his successor Mr. Edgar Lungu is handling the process is inconsequential to Zambians on its own regard. However, both men have had an opportunity to do justice to the constitution-making process, Zambians have not forgotten and posterity will judge them accordingly. It is not debatable that the process had stalled and became highly politicized. It’s also a fact that in the recent weeks, Zambians have observed glimmers of hope as the process gets more and more demystified and it’s only prudent that well meaning Zambians, including media houses, ensure this process does not slip-back into comatose. Simple logic dictates that this process is far beyond the two men and all Zambians want is for the PF Government to do what is right and if this happens while Hon. Lungu is Minister of Justice, the important thing is the product.
Zambians pine for a new political order, based on a constitution which is supreme and represents the highest ideals of the nation; where state authority is subject to limits which arise from the rights of the people and the principles of good government, in which there is separation of powers of the state, horizontally and frequently vertically as well, and checks and balances, where the judiciary is competent, honest and independent, where people elect and remove governments, and hold them responsible and accountable, with the help of independent institutions. A key element is the rule of law, which requires that State authorities and all individuals are bound by the law; policies must be based on law; and administrative discretion must be exercised in accordance with the law. The law itself must be a reflection of the popular will, arrived at through a prescribed procedure.
Lastly, such an important process cannot be reduced to a debate of who was right or wrong on the constitution. Mr. Kabimba had his time and Zambians know what happened to the process as the country squandered an opportunity to give itself a good constitution. Zambians are also interested to see what happens to the process on Mr. Lungu’s watch. To do this, the importance of redressing the balance between politicians and people remains. Zambians must therefore be wary of voices and agendas aimed at sabotaging the constitution process by of the political elite and those with vested interests. Zambians must therefore rally behind PF’S renewed hopes on the Constitution.
By Sunday Chanda
What kind of democracy is this, where people are held hostage, by the people they put in power to rule over them?
Mr.Chanda Sir! Only PF compulsionists & sycomphants are seing your so called “renewed hope in Constitution making process” by the PF regime & your clarion call to rally behind your PF under Edgar for this vivid failed undertaking tantamounts to having a crippled & unscrewed grey matter of the 21st century!Unless one is politically blind & is not a Zambian resident or has vested interests in PF like you can buy your trashed article!Its now becoming unwise to rally behind PF for anything they promised more especially the new constitution-Only anarchical & forceful bloody revolution can lead PF to facilitate the process!
MR. SUNDAY CHANDA WAS HON MUTATI’S CAMPAIGN MANAGER AGAINST NEVERS MUMBA. I DON’T TRUST HIM; NO SUCCESS STORY.