CSOs Urge Govt to Abandon Current Constitution-Making Terms of Reference

A consortium of twelve Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has accused the government of manipulating the ongoing constitutional review process and warned that history will judge harshly those placing political or personal interests above the collective will of the Zambian people.The review process is crucial for the future of the Zambian Constitution.

The organisations, led by Chapter One Foundation executive director Josiah Kalala, said the current Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments is operating under terms of reference that make it accountable to the Executive, compromising its independence and ability to reflect the aspirations of ordinary citizens in the Constitution.

“The Committee operates under provisions that make it accountable to the Executive, undermining its independence and ability to reflect the will of the people of Zambia,” Kalala said. He argued that this structure contradicts President Hakainde Hichilema’s earlier calls, when in opposition, for an inclusive, transparent and legally protected constitution-making process.

Kalala said President Hichilema had previously advocated for a people-driven document anchored on broad consultation and consensus, but the present process was far from that vision. “The direction President Hichilema has taken now contradicts his own long-held position. We wonder what could have changed,” he said.

The CSOs said the lack of transparency in how the committee was appointed and its continued insistence on proceeding despite growing public criticism has eroded confidence in the reform process. They warned that the government’s approach risks producing a document that serves narrow political goals rather than national unity.

“The government’s insistence on going ahead, particularly as the country moves closer to elections, erodes public trust and casts doubt on the credibility of the process,” Kalala added. He said the constitutional review should be an empowering national exercise, not a controlled operation under political supervision.

The organisations have demanded that the government abandon the current Terms of Reference (ToRs) and the entire structure of the Technical Committee. They proposed the creation of a new framework that guarantees representation of all sectors of society, including opposition parties, faith-based organisations, women’s movements, and youth bodies.

Kalala said genuine constitution-making must affirm every citizen’s stake in the nation’s future and warned that failure to uphold this principle would mark a betrayal of Zambia’s democratic values. “Constitution making, when done right, is an empowering tool that affirms every citizen’s stake in the nation’s future. What we have now is a process that lacks consensus and is driven by political expediency,” he said.

The CSOs further stated that the current Terms of Reference fall short of facilitating inclusivity and consensus. They described them as “a disaster” that risks producing a divisive outcome instead of a unifying national charter.

“The Terms of Reference, as they stand, do not provide for genuine citizen participation,” Kalala explained. “They are designed to legitimise decisions already made by a few individuals in power.”

The organisations have vowed to continue engaging the public through community meetings and civic education campaigns to raise awareness of what they describe as the dangers of an exclusive process. They called on Zambians to reject any draft constitution that is not derived from broad public consultation.

The dispute echoes earlier constitutional crises in Zambia’s political history, where rushed amendments were later reversed due to lack of legitimacy. The CSOs have urged the government to learn from those experiences and allow adequate debate before any adoption.

Kalala concluded by saying that only a genuinely inclusive process can produce a constitution that stands the test of time. “If this process continues unchecked, it will only deepen division and mistrust. The constitution belongs to the people, not the government of the day,” he said.

Zambia, Mozambique in Joint 1,500 MW Power Generation Project

Zambia and Mozambique have agreed to develop a 1,500-megawatt power generation project that will significantly boost electricity supply across southern Africa and help stabilise energy security in both countries. The agreement, signed in Maputo this week, marks a new chapter in regional energy co-operation under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) power-integration programme.

Energy Minister Peter Kapala, who represented Zambia at the signing ceremony, said the project is part of a broader plan to diversify Zambia’s generation mix and reduce reliance on hydropower sources that have been affected by climate change. He explained that the 1,500 MW facility will be jointly constructed and operated along the Mozambique–Zambia power corridor and will incorporate hydro, thermal, and solar components to ensure sustainable output.

“This agreement is historic because it gives our two countries the opportunity to share capacity, technology and investment benefits,” Kapala said. “Once completed, it will not only cover our domestic demand but also provide excess power for export to neighbouring states through the Southern African Power Pool.”

The project will be implemented in phases over five years, with funding drawn from a blend of government contributions, development finance institutions and private sector investors. Pre-feasibility studies have already identified sites suitable for generation and transmission linkages to existing infrastructure on both sides of the border. Technical teams from ZESCO and Mozambique’s Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) have been tasked to finalise engineering designs and costing details by mid-2026.

ZESCO Managing Director Victor Mapani said the joint initiative represents a strategic shift from short-term energy imports toward shared generation projects that enhance long-term stability. He stressed that Zambia has faced power deficits during periods of low water levels at Kariba and Kafue Gorge, and that regional interconnectivity offers a reliable solution.

Under the agreement, the two countries will also construct a new high-voltage transmission line linking western Mozambique to eastern Zambia, allowing for two-way power flows. This infrastructure will support Zambia’s industrial zones in Central and Copperbelt provinces and enhance electricity access in Mozambique’s northern districts. Engineers expect the project to generate over 1,000 direct jobs during construction and hundreds of technical and maintenance positions once operational.

Mozambique’s Energy Minister Carlos Zacarias said the initiative illustrates African solidarity in addressing energy shortages through shared resources. “This partnership strengthens our friendship and ensures that electricity will fuel industrial growth on both sides of the border,” he said. He also confirmed that Mozambique has earmarked land for the power station and pledged policy support to fast-track implementation.

The deal could position Zambia as a net exporter of power within three years and help Mozambique monetise its vast energy resources. The project aligns with Zambia’s Energy Transition Strategy, which seeks to increase renewable capacity by 40 percent by 2030.

Once complete, the 1,500 MW plant is expected to feed into the Southern African Power Pool, benefiting countries such as Zimbabwe, Malawi and Tanzania through enhanced regional power trade. Officials say the agreement has received endorsement from the African Development Bank and other international partners who view it as a model for cross-border energy integration.

“This project is not just about electricity but about economic growth and regional integration,” Kapala said after the signing. “With 1,500 megawatts on the grid, Zambia and Mozambique will move closer to energy independence and help stabilise power supply for the entire region.”

Worshippers Dispersed at Night of Prayer, Government Issues Apology

The Zambian government has issued a public apology following a controversial police operation that halted an overnight Christian prayer gathering at the OYDC in Lusaka on the eve of Independence Day. The event, dubbed Standing in the Gap Night of Freedom, had drawn hundreds of worshippers from across the capital before police officers ordered the crowd to disperse around 21:00 hours.

Authorities reportedly claimed the gathering conflicted with a government programme scheduled for the same venue. Eyewitnesses described scenes of confusion as congregants prayed, sang, and prepared for the night’s worship when officers moved in, instructing them to vacate the premises. Many were left stranded, sparking anger among residents who viewed the disruption as unnecessary and disrespectful to a day associated with national prayer and reflection.

The incident triggered immediate backlash online and across civic platforms, with critics accusing the police of overstepping constitutional rights to freedom of worship and assembly. One widely circulated post read, “In a Christian Nation, on the eve of Independence and just days after the national day of prayer, police disrupted a vigil. Freedom of conscience is dying.” Other commentators suggested the move was politically motivated, alleging that officers acted “to please the powers that be.”

Among those who voiced concern was academic and writer Dr Lawrence Mwelwa, who published a reflective piece titled The Walls of Jericho Will Fall Again: Freedom on Our Knees. In it, he urged Zambians to respond to repression with prayerful persistence rather than anger. Drawing from figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, Dr Mwelwa framed prayer as an act of civic courage, writing that kneeling was not surrender but defiance through faith. His essay, widely shared, became a rallying point for citizens who saw the incident as part of a broader struggle for freedom of expression.

The controversy intensified as social and political figures questioned who authorised the police action. Commentator Kennedy K. Mambwe asked pointedly on Facebook, “The President didn’t know? What about the Inspector General or the Minister of Home Affairs? On whose instruction did the Police act?” His remarks captured growing public frustration over perceived disconnection between the President’s public stance and enforcement actions on the ground.

As criticism mounted, State House released an official statement signed by Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka, categorically denying that President Hakainde Hichilema had ordered the shutdown. The statement reaffirmed the Head of State’s devotion to Christian values and commitment to religious liberty, describing the incident as regrettable and announcing an immediate investigation. “The President would never prevent Christians or any faith group from holding prayers, especially during the Independence period,” it read. “He deeply regrets the incident and has directed an immediate inquiry to ensure accountability.”

The clarification aimed to calm tensions but raised further questions about institutional discipline within the police command. Some critics described the apology as damage control, insisting that accountability must include dismissals of those who issued unlawful orders. One post bluntly stated, “There’s nothing that happens under the HH regime that the President doesn’t know. Then let him fire the culprits. Zambia kuchalo twasebana.”

Despite differing views, the official tone from State House emphasised reconciliation. The statement urged citizens to remain united in prayer for peace and national unity, reaffirming the country’s motto of One Zambia, One Nation. It also reminded the public that Zambia remains a nation anchored in love and mutual respect, even amid misunderstandings between state institutions and communities of faith.

The episode has reopened debate on the professionalism of the Zambia Police and the government’s approach to civil liberties. Many observers argue that the apology, while welcome, must be followed by tangible action to rebuild confidence in state institutions. For worshippers whose vigil was cut short, the incident has become both a test of accountability and a reminder of the fragile balance between authority and faith in a democratic society.