CCJP Tells HH Public Hardship Remains Widespread

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace has urged President Hakainde Hichilema to pay close attention to the rising public frustration across communities, warning that living conditions remain difficult despite government assurances of economic stabilisation. CCJP stated that feedback collected from parishes indicates households are struggling with high food prices, limited job opportunities, and increasing pressure on essential services. The organisation emphasised that these concerns require urgent government attention because they reflect the daily realities of citizens across districts.

CCJP explained that parish committees routinely gather information from ordinary residents, including market traders, youths, farmers, teachers, and healthcare workers. According to the Commission, their latest assessments show that most citizens do not feel the benefits of government policies that are frequently presented as progress. The organisation noted that economic indicators alone are not a sufficient reflection of public welfare, adding that the lived experience of many citizens suggests continuing hardship.

The Commission reported that feedback shows families facing significant difficulty in meeting the cost of basic needs such as mealie meal, cooking oil, transport, and school-related expenses. It said many youths continue to express deep frustration over limited employment prospects. According to CCJP, communities want the government to prioritise economic relief that directly affects household budgets instead of relying heavily on macroeconomic gains.

CCJP acknowledged that households appreciate government commitments in areas such as debt restructuring and inflation control but remain concerned that these gains have not translated into lower prices for essential goods and services. It reported that families in rural areas face added challenges due to recurrent dry spells, livestock diseases, and limited access to farming inputs. The Commission said these factors severely affect food security and contribute to widespread anxiety about the coming agricultural season.

The organisation stressed that the concerns raised by communities should not be interpreted as political opposition but as factual realities that demand immediate attention. CCJP said the government must understand that ordinary citizens do not measure national progress by official statements but by what they can afford and how they live from day to day. According to the Commission, communities want the government to acknowledge their concerns and respond with targeted, practical interventions.

CCJP also noted that parish leaders have raised concerns about persistent delays in the distribution of farming inputs. It reported that several farmers have expressed uncertainty regarding the availability and timing of fertiliser delivery. The organisation said farmers worry that these delays will significantly affect agricultural production and further undermine national food security. The Commission highlighted that small-scale farmers depend heavily on timely access to inputs to sustain their livelihoods.

The organisation further pointed to ongoing concerns about water shortages in some communities. It reported that women and children in certain areas are forced to walk long distances to access clean and safe water. CCJP said this situation places considerable stress on households and negatively affects sanitation and hygiene. The Commission reiterated that these issues must be treated as urgent because they directly impact public health and overall community welfare.

CCJP urged the government to adopt a more attentive and responsive approach by engaging with communities more directly and ensuring that relief efforts are tailored to local realities. The organisation argued that meaningful community engagement can significantly improve trust between citizens and state authorities. It emphasised that localised feedback is essential for accurately understanding the depth and nature of public frustration.

The Commission noted that citizens do appreciate development projects such as road construction and school upgrades but believe that daily survival remains the most pressing and immediate issue. It said communities desire leadership that recognises their ongoing struggles and provides tangible relief in critical areas such as food affordability and job creation. CCJP affirmed that civil society organisations play an essential role in presenting accurate, grassroots-level feedback to decision-makers.

The organisation encouraged the President to reflect seriously on the concerns raised and to integrate them into future policy decisions. CCJP said strong and compassionate leadership involves acknowledging challenges openly and working collaboratively with citizens to resolve them. It urged the government to address economic pressures at the household level and ensure that national development strategies incorporate direct, practical support for families.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to presenting factual, community-based feedback to authorities. It stated that the wellbeing of citizens must remain the central priority of national leadership. CCJP expressed its hope that the government will respond to these concerns with decisive and effective action that meaningfully improves the daily lives of households across Zambia.

M’membe Accuses HH of Blocking Genuine Constitutional Dialogue

Socialist Party presidential candidate Dr Fred M’membe says President Hakainde Hichilema has weakened constitutional order and shown little regard for alternative views by suspending talks with the Oasis Forum. He stated that the collapse of the discussions confirms concerns that the President is attempting to consolidate political control rather than genuinely consult stakeholders on the constitutional amendment process. Dr M’membe was reacting to the government’s decision to end dialogue with the Oasis Forum following disagreements over Bill 7.

According to Dr M’membe, the President’s actions reflect a pattern in which the administration invites participants to discussions but refuses to adjust its position. He said the government seeks to create an impression of consultation while continuing with a predetermined agenda. Dr M’membe referenced developments surrounding Bill 7, describing the proposed amendments as divisive and authoritarian. He said the Oasis Forum could not be expected to trust a process that was already viewed as flawed.

He noted that participants entered the dialogue with principled positions on constitutional procedure. Dr M’membe explained that a democratic government should be prepared to listen, negotiate, and adjust, especially when dealing with amendments to the supreme law. He said this did not occur in the recent engagements. Dr M’membe stated that genuine dialogue requires openness rather than rigid positions. In his view, the government’s posture demonstrated an unwillingness to consider objections raised by civil society, churches, and legal bodies.

The Socialist Party leader said the President has repeatedly shown a reluctance to tolerate criticism. He argued that the suspension of the meeting should not surprise citizens because the administration has consistently resisted scrutiny on national issues. Dr M’membe said the events surrounding the Oasis Forum meeting illustrate the government’s broader approach to governance. He cited previous disputes involving the Lungu family and various public concerns, saying these suggest a pattern of handling disagreements through unilateral action rather than consultation.

Dr M’membe said the attempt by the government to frame the Oasis Forum as unprepared to engage constructively was misleading. He explained that raising constitutional concerns does not amount to obstruction. Instead, he said it reflects a commitment to protecting the integrity of the constitutional order. He insisted that stakeholders who question the current process are acting in the national interest.

He argued that Bill 7 would concentrate authority in one office and alter fundamental aspects of Zambia’s governance structure. Dr M’membe said such changes cannot be pushed without broad national agreement. He warned that moving forward with the amendments without consensus poses risks to the country’s democratic future.

Dr M’membe said the suspension of dialogue appears intended to weaken public resistance and buy time for further moves in the amendment process. He described this approach as tactical rather than procedural. Dr M’membe warned citizens to remain alert to developments surrounding the constitutional debate. He said constitutional reform must not be conducted through strategies that reduce public participation.

He urged Zambians to speak out and defend the Constitution, saying it is the responsibility of citizens, civil society, churches, trade unions, professional bodies, and youth groups to protect the country’s democratic framework. Dr M’membe said this period demands active involvement to ensure that the country does not adopt a constitutional amendment process that undermines democratic values.

He concluded that the Constitution cannot be reshaped according to the preferences of a single office. Dr M’membe said constitutional amendments require transparency, consultation, and national unity. He encouraged citizens to recognise the importance of safeguarding the document that defines the structure of governance and limits the exercise of state authority.

President Hakainde Hichilema has received the draft bill and final report produced by the Technical Committee appointed on 2 October 2025 to consult citizens on proposed constitutional amendments. The committee delivered the documents during a session held at State House, where its vice chairperson outlined the work completed over the past two months. The chairperson was absent due to a bereavement, and the vice chair presented the report on his behalf.

The committee reported that it carried out both physical and virtual sittings across all provinces and districts, receiving submissions in English, local languages and sign language. Written submissions were delivered through district drop-boxes and online platforms, including the committee’s website and official email channels. The vice chair told the President that Zambians in the diaspora also participated through online platforms.

According to the committee, a total of more than 11,860 submissions were collected. The team noted that this was among the highest ever recorded in a constitutional review or amendment process, with the only higher figure reaching about 12,000 in a previous multi-year exercise. The vice chair stated that the committee concluded its work in two months and described this as an example of efficiency, cost management and effective coordination.

He said the committee worked independently from the start, adopted its own rules of procedure, and conducted deliberations without interference from any institution. The members held extensive debates and consultations, which the vice chair said reflected the independence and diversity of the team. Traditional leaders, professionals, persons with disabilities, students, labour representatives, business groups and religious bodies all participated in the process.

The committee thanked citizens for contributing to the exercise and expressed appreciation for logistical support from government departments, councils and security wings. The vice chair highlighted assistance from the Zambia Air Force, which provided transport to allow the team to move between districts efficiently. The committee also noted that its proceedings were televised from the beginning to the end, and said this increased transparency and public visibility.

President Hichilema thanked the committee for completing the assignment within the set timeframe and described the work as efficient in both time and resource use. He said the team had demonstrated prudence and displayed a work ethic that aligned with the administration’s expectations. He noted that the number of submissions collected in two months was comparable to those gathered over a two-year period in past constitutional processes.

The President also thanked the support teams from various ministries, Cabinet Office, councils and Smart Zambia, which provided the online platforms used in the submission process. He acknowledged the contribution of the Zambia Air Force and the police, as well as the traditional leaders who took part in both the committee and the consultations.

Hichilema said the next steps would follow established parliamentary and administrative procedures. He emphasised that the process would proceed without any shortcuts, noting that the constitution belongs to the people and must therefore be handled in a way that respects proper channels. He stated that recent meetings held with civil society and other stakeholders were part of listening to citizens and did not alter the committee’s work.

The President encouraged the committee to remain available for follow-up engagement, saying that parliamentary select committees or administrative bodies may require technical clarification as the process moves to the next stage. He asked the members to take a short rest while remaining on standby for any questions that may arise during formal procedures.

Hichilema also expressed condolences to the committee chairperson for the loss of his son, noting that the bereavement occurred while the committee was carrying out a national assignment. He said he would personally call the chair to convey condolences on behalf of the government.

As the session closed, the President thanked the committee for what he described as national service, telling members that any citizen who followed the process would recognise the effort involved. He said the committee had shown that national tasks can be completed within clear timelines when teams are focused and supported by the appropriate institutions.

The handover marks the beginning of the next stage of constitutional consideration, which will involve examination of the draft bill and public submissions through the formal parliamentary process.

Civic, Church and Student Groups Present Bill 7 Positions to President

A wide cross section of Zambia’s civic, religious, academic and youth leadership met President Hakainde Hichilema at State House during a lengthy courtesy call that brought together clergy, civil society networks, students from nine universities, legal reform advocates and community representatives from several provinces. The session drew a broad spectrum of viewpoints on the ongoing constitutional amendment process under Bill 7, with participants delivering detailed submissions anchored on grassroots experiences, legal concerns and national development priorities.

The gathering opened with a structured introduction that highlighted the diversity of those present. Clergy from the Copperbelt, Lusaka and Northwestern Province, civil society groups with national reach, traditional governance advocates, and churches including the Anglican Church, SDA, ICOS, RACZ and others were in attendance. Students and union representatives from nine universities and colleges formed a significant part of the delegation, having requested an opportunity to engage the President directly on constitutional reform, youth participation, academic freedoms and the future of governance systems that shape their generation.

The President addressed the attendees with a call for civility, national maturity and respect for dialogue as a trusted tool for resolving differences. He reflected on Zambia’s historical constitutional cycles including 1964, 1973, 1991, 1996 and 2016, noting that constitutional progression has always depended on calm consultation rather than confrontation. He cautioned that attempts to resolve disagreements through protests risked distressing unintended victims such as small business owners and vulnerable citizens. The President urged all participants to use dialogue to bridge blind corners in understanding and to avoid approaches rooted in personal victory rather than national clarity.

Formal submissions then began with the Civil Society Alliance on Legal Reforms led by Caroline Katotobwe. She delivered an extensive endorsement of the current constitutional review process, grounding her argument in the scale of citizen participation recorded across all ten provinces. She stated that the volume of submissions and the diversity of opinions demonstrated that citizens, especially marginalised groups, had embraced this opportunity to be heard. Katotobwe argued that withdrawing Bill 7 would disenfranchise rural communities, women, youth, persons with disabilities and many citizens who made submissions in good faith.

She also questioned the credibility of the Oasis Forum’s position, noting that its earlier presentation lacked signatures, constituency mandates and empirical data. She called for the amendment process to proceed to Parliament without further delay so that members of Parliament can debate the bill on behalf of those who elected them.

The Consortium of Civil Society Organisations presented next through Solomon Ngoma, who began by revisiting a previous meeting on 25 June and apologised for disruptions during that engagement. He emphasised that the current constitutional process aligns with Articles 64, 79, 88 and 92, which outline the lawful avenues for amendments. Ngoma highlighted the scale of national participation, stating that the technical committee had registered approximately 11,000 submissions, a number that surpasses previous review commissions. He noted that the committee conducted its work transparently and within a compressed timeframe, supported by national radio broadcasts that widened access for rural and peri urban citizens.

Ngoma acknowledged earlier concerns regarding Bill 7 but noted that the current process is more inclusive than its original iteration. He stressed that the draft from the technical committee should be presented to Parliament in full without filtration at cabinet level, arguing that Parliament carries constitutional responsibility to test the people’s views.

Cairns Nsama from Care for Nature Zambia delivered a solidarity message under the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Speaking on behalf of rural women, she highlighted structural inequalities in political representation and used Mansa District as an example where all parliamentary and ward seats are held by men. She called for proportional representation in the constitution to address the persistent under-representation of women at both national and local levels.

Nsama further called for a sovereign fund dedicated to women’s political participation. She argued that reliance on donor-funded advocacy has proven fragile and that a national, legally supported fund would allow women to enter political spaces without fear of intimidation or financial exclusion. She appealed for the reinstatement of institutional gender mechanisms that can function regardless of external funding cycles.

The church segment followed with a series of strong but varied submissions. Prophetess Jani of ICOS expressed full support for the amendment process and criticised what she described as a “minority of loud voices” attempting to stall legal procedures. She emphasised that inclusivity requires broad participation, not selective representation.

The Anglican Church, represented by Father Katete, stressed the importance of responsible civic engagement grounded in scripture. He referenced recent incidents in Chingola and warned against the manipulation of young people for political objectives. Katete stated that no constitutional reform should rely on actions that risk lives. He encouraged the President to remain open to dialogue even when faced with opposing views.

The Seventh day Adventist Church, through Midlands West Zambia Conference President Gabriel Mulambwa, emphasised the neutrality of the SDA pulpit and warned against using religious platforms to encourage demonstrations. He described the amendment process as orderly and lawful, noting that the church views national stability as a foundation for effective ministry. Mulambwa said the process provides a constructive platform for addressing longstanding governance questions without resorting to divisive methods.

The Copperbelt clergy then presented multiple submissions. Reverend Eddie Bwalya praised the 13 proposed amendments, focusing particularly on delimitation for over sized constituencies. He criticised attempts to politicise the pulpit and argued that the church should promote unity rather than agitation.

Reverend Jimmy Ngambi from the House of Clergy Zambia highlighted the importance of the President’s commitment to peace, law and order, which he said has enabled national progress since 2021. He criticised misinformation around Bill 7 and said that citizens his organisation consulted overwhelmingly support the reforms. Ngambi stated that many communities expect this process to proceed without delay, adding that withdrawing the bill at this stage would disadvantage those who participated in good faith.

Luanshya based Bishop Kabesha strongly criticised the Oasis Forum and argued that it does not represent the views of the majority. He said rural communities are eager for the amendments, especially those concerning delimitation and enhanced representation of women and persons with disabilities. Kabesha argued that opponents of the bill should specify the clauses they dispute rather than calling for total withdrawal.

Bishop Stanley Benwa of Northwestern Province closed the clergy segment. He said that communities in Northwestern, including areas like Mwinilunga and Kasempa, fully support constitutional reforms because of the scale of their constituencies. He urged Parliament to follow the majority view once the technical committee’s report is submitted. Benwa appealed to church mother bodies to avoid using the pulpit for political statements and referenced guidance from the Vatican against partisan preaching.

The session concluded with the Lusaka Ministers Consortium, represented by Bishop Inutu Nawa, who conveyed full support for the reform process. Nawa described the amendments as timely and necessary to address structural inequities that affect marginalised groups throughout the country. She stated that reforms cannot be delayed because citizens on the lower rungs of social and economic structures pay the highest price when governance systems remain outdated.

University students were acknowledged throughout the meeting as a critical constituency whose future will be shaped by the constitutional framework under review. Their presence underscored the importance of youth engagement in national governance and highlighted a generational desire to contribute to legal and political reforms that determine their civic environment. Their participation in the meeting reflected the growing recognition that young people are not only observers of national processes but active stakeholders whose academic, professional and civic futures depend on transparent national reforms.

The day’s engagements illustrated a country in vigorous dialogue about its constitutional future. While positions differed, the meeting showed a shared reliance on dialogue, structured consultation and lawful participation. President Hichilema closed the session by thanking the contributors and reaffirming State House as a place open to all citizens regardless of their stance on national issues.