President Hakainde Hichilema is considering the contents of a letter from a consortium of political parties calling for the immediate withdrawal of the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 and will respond in due course.
State House Chief Communication Specialist Clayson Hamasaka confirmed that State House has taken note of the letter, which was delivered at the gates by opposition leaders. He acknowledged the peaceful conduct of the procession, stating such restraint is welcome in a democracy.
Mr. Hamasaka, however, described the decision to leave the communication at the gate as a curious choice, given the President’s known openness to engagement. He noted it offered little in advancing meaningful dialogue, especially as the document was shared on social media before reaching the addressee.
The statement emphasized that President Hichilema views State House as the people’s house, accessible for genuine and constructive engagement. He champions round-table dialogue where differing views are addressed transparently and respectfully, guided by the principle that national matters demand structured, good-faith discussions over symbolic gestures.
Mr. Hamasaka stated that on issues where the opposition has been vocal—such as energy, debt, mining, and agriculture—State House expects practical alternatives. He added that prior communication would have facilitated a direct and more effective conversation.
Nonetheless, in the national interest and with a commitment to unity and democratic maturity, State House remains open to respectful and constructive engagement with all political stakeholders.
