The Oasis Forum has vowed if provoked, to defeat any attempt to extend the term of office for the president and other elected officials in a similar manner it played a major role in defeating the third bid by President Fredrick Chiluba in 2001.
In a statement, Oasis Forum Chairperson Fr.Cleophas Lungu says the fact that Mr Paul Moonga a senior member of the PF made the proposal to extend the term of office for the president and other elected leaders at a media briefing held at the PF Secretariat appears to suggest that his proposal has the backing of the PF party.
He says this is cause for serious concern as these moves threaten to usurp the power of the people of Zambia who only granted the PF Government a five-year mandate.
Fr. Lungu says the Forum hopes that the country’s leaders will pause, pray and reflect on any action that threatens to undermine democracy in the country.
He adds that the Oasis Forum is able to draw parallels between the concept of “State capture” in South Africa and the capture of citizens by the State in Zambia.
Fr Lungu says the Zambian form of “State capture” has manifested itself in the gradual shrinking of the space for independent media, decreased public confidence in the judiciary, increased police brutality and now the proposed extension of the presidential term of office from five years to seven years by Mr. Moonga.
Father Cleophas Lungu, while I am opposed to that rub.bish by Paul Moonga, I am forced to advise you ‘katwale uko ka Oasis’. Post shall remain closed forever, get to terms with it. The Mast or Past will follow in its foot steps, and any other stuuipd like successor until Mmembe pays for his sins.
Zambians like wasting time on non issues. The guy was expressing his opinion. Why waste time discussing it. The law does not say so. So stop wasting time on this issue. Let us spend time on productive discussions.
Lead the discussion instead of commenting on what you perceive to be nonsensical commentary.
“usurp the power of the people of Zambia who only granted the PF Government a five-year mandate.”
Regret to inform you Cleophas that the people of Zambia did not grant PF a mandate.
You are obviously unaware of how these PF crooks conived with ECZ to falsify results and the ConCourt to suppress the truth.
They have no mandate.
Indeed he has only five more years since he served one term already. Now turning to infamous clarion cry started by our outgoing party president and losing national presidential candidate HH about mandates and ECZ etc. Those of us who were at the central tallying post recall how using our PVT it showed we had lost. Indeed we could not understand how people seemingly suffering could vote against us. So to court we went with scanty details we thought was evidence. Now all we can do is cry foul instead of reorganizing and preparing a new leadership. 2021 Zambia Forward
I sympathise but it looks like you have not read Lungu’s New Constitution. What you call as his first term does not count because it was less than 3 years. You will see Lungu on the 2021 ballot papers, if he survives that long. Lungu intends to be the second longest serving President after Kaunda.
The choice between 5 and 7 is qualified to be subjected to public debate. In the case of France, it was the opposite that prevailed, with 7 being reduced to 5 years. There is nothing wrong political debate in a democracy. The debate is a never ending exercise. Even the Christian Nation clause needs to be revisited because in a Christian Nation, there is no need to declare the same.
Remember that talking for the sake of talking is a sheer waste of time. Some basic principles and givens are needed to move a country forward, not changing rules every day to suit certain individuals.
Dr. Kasonde, spot on!
Declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation has been tactfully wedged into the constitution without so much as a debate. We ne space to talk about it. There are some of us who do not buy into the Christ mythology.
Dr. Kasonde, spot on!
Declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation has been tactfully wedged into the constitution without so much as a debate. We need space for meaningful dialog about who we are as nation. Unilateral declations are dictatorial in nature and they must be discredited. Some of us who do not buy into the Christ mythology. And we are no lesser the citizen.
Comment:Paul Moonga is just stupid and selfish. of are thugs.
Comment:foolish Moonga
‘The Constitution” is not ‘Lungu’s” Its the republican constitution. HH instructed our MPs not to debate the document when it was tabled so instead they went to the parliament motel bar to drink. Now in your reading you state “he never served three 3 years”. True, but, that applies going forward anyone who after this “current constitution” serves less then 3 years wont have served a term! But we also have a new inclusion ‘running mate’ . ECL was NOT a running mate he contested an election in 2015 which he won and then he recontested in 2016 and won again. So please spare us your sympathizes your ECL wont be able to file his nomination papers even if he tries. 2021 Zambia Forward
Can some one please extract the clauses from the constitution regarding: 1: Definition of TERM of office for the President. 2: Legibility of a President for election and 3: Years to be saved by an elected president. I am avoiding commenting without knowledge. The Bible says “my people perish for lack of knowledge “.
Where does the bible draw its authority? Should the bible be a legitimate frame of reference in Zambian affairs?
Were our ancestors so ignorant that they had no wisdom for us to drink from, but the Israelis?