at Victoria Falls in Livingstone
American Ambassador to Zambia Eric Shultz says it is logical that non-contentious constitutional issues relating to elections be changed before next year’s elections.
Mr Schultz said it was reasonable to have a two track programme of changing the constitutional because changing the whole document through a referendum was an expense undertaking.
“In general, we are supportive of what the government is doing, the notion that there should be sort of a two track approach is logical. If you have to do a referendum on the entire constitution it would be quite expensive.” he said.
Mr Schultz said taking advantage of the election to conduct a referendum was a good way of cutting down on expenses because the 2016 election was a scheduled programme.
“If you have an election coming up in 2016 regularly scheduled, and you can do a referendum as part of that, that is a good way to save money,” said Mr. Schultz.
He said it was important that non-contentious issues that relate to elections should be changed before next year’s elections to avoid leadership gaps and other matters that arise from grey areas in the constitution.
“You have to have the non-contentious clauses, I would say the clauses that relate to the election have to be done before the election so that you don’t have a situation for instance where the vice president who cannot succeed the president so for me that is what is the single most important clause that needs to be considered,” he said.
The American Ambassador was however quick to point out that there is need for the constitutional making process to be very transparent and to reflect the will of the people.
Constitutions are foundational documents that should not be changed frequently but must be changed in order to reflect the will of the people.
On the depreciation of the Kwacha, Mr Schultz said there is need for the government to engage international financial organisations such as the International Monetary Fund to help the country find a solution to the problem.
He said although it was normal for the Kwacha to depreciate following the recovery of the US economy and China’s economic slow-down, it becomes worrying if the depreciation gets out of hand and makes disruptions in the economy.
Mr Schultz said in the long term, the country should diversify in order to reduce dependence on copper exports.
President Banda did the right thing to cancel BBC interview. The British colonized us and they still want to control us. F. uck BBC.
@Nubian
are you also drinking jamesson now??,,,kkekekekekeke! RB
I meant President Lungu (these Chipata names)
@Nostradamus
my friend,,, i wont take your calls this weekend!!,,, what you did was not good,,, i told you to `take care` of `our`Changwa there in New york,,, Nostra boyi, i told changwa is used to chinika, mosi and jamessom,,, NOT tequila , ,,, now you give him tequila ,,, you see,, he missed baptism by the pope, he went there with red eyes, the pope couldnt touch,,, and he failed to wake up for the BBC interview..,,, i wont say others things which happened ,, pali abaiche
Boyi walibifya
@Ndobo. Methinks the editor may have been in New York on those interesting sessions when one looks at the headline… Wassup Editor. Sore head? Hahaha.
Uyu Eric should mind his country business cos at the end he will give terms and conditions. I hope he is not thinking of bringing confusion in Zambia. He should also concentrate on arguing with the Russians who are bombing their preferred terrorist in Syria.
He is the American Ambassador to ZAMBIA – that makes his job relevant to ZAMBIA. Why would you expect him to talk about Syria? You want aid and resources from USA but not the ambassador to speak. Strange.
Timely advice to all of us Zambians especially MPs. Who else can give better advice than the USA which has had a robust Constitution for over 2 & 1/4 centuries. MPs this is an important & historical undertaking that God has allowed you to handle for the country by passing into law the most important principles to govern Zambia for Zambia as our representatives. We are passing on to you a document which Zambians from all walks of life have debated for decades. Fortunately & for the 1st time in the history of this country GRZ has converted the people’s document into a Constitution Bill without doctoring it. If you are true representatives of the people please adopt the Constitution Bill just the way it is. You have no moral stand point for making amendments. Do the right thing by adopting…
Eish ,ba Lusaka Times do you proof read the junk articles you post?
Ati “changing Zambian constitutional” and then at the end of the 2nd paragraph ati ” a referendum was an expense undertaking”
Zambia will never develop if we keep churning out and hiring such unskilled and unprepared workforce.
One of the best comments ever from America. Usually they have two prong hidden agendas. This actually makes sense. Like we have stated, Amendments are needed. this is not the can you remember books hahaha.
Let me point this out to those that have read the article that the US Ambassador has just echoed the sentiments of our Minister of Justice Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula. He specifically informed the nation that it is better to kill two birds with one stone as regards contentious constitutional issues which can be voted on at the time of the general election in 2016. As for the non-contentious clauses, let parliament handle them before the general election of 2016. On this one, we must give ourselves credit for not waiting to be told by an outsider on what to do. We must all rally behind the Minister of Justice and see what comes out of his idea regarding constitution matters. One Zambia One Nation.
Comment: Honestly speaking,since when did repentance and reconciliation become a mockery to God. This guy speaking,has he now become Gods spokesman. Its God who calls us to repent from our sins. Only the devil would be against such a call. I can never support such an evil man.
WE HEAR YOU AMBASSADOR Schultz. Especially since they expect USA and European Tax Payers pay for the whole shebang.