The Oasis Forum has criticized government’s decision to proceed with the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025, citing a lack of transparency, inclusivity, and public participation in the process.
The Forum, a coalition comprising the church, civil society, and the legal profession, has also launched a national campaign dubbed the “Coalition Against Bill 7”, to oppose what it describes as a “narrow, election-centered, and illegitimate reform process.”
Speaking during a joint media briefing in Lusaka today, the Forum, made up of the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), Non-Governmental Gender Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC), and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), accused government of undermining the spirit and principles of Zambia’s supreme law.
“The Constitution is a people’s document, not a tool for advancing narrow partisan interests,” said EFZ Executive Director, Bishop Andrew Mwenda, who spoke on behalf of the Forum.
He expressed concern that consultations led by the Minister of Justice are being held behind closed doors with selected traditional leaders and unnamed stakeholders, which, he said, casts doubt on the credibility of the entire process.
“If allowed to proceed in this manner, the process will lack legitimacy and public trust,” said Bishop Mwenda.
Bishop Mwenda stressed that government’s role is to facilitate a genuine, inclusive, and stakeholder-driven constitutional review process, as envisioned under Article 79 of the Constitution.
The Forum also condemned the proposal to expand the size of the National Assembly, questioning the rationale of such a move at a time when the government is struggling to finance essential services such as healthcare and agricultural support.
“Resources should be directed toward hiring volunteer doctors and purchasing maize from farmers, not towards creating a bloated legislature,” said Bishop Mwenda.
He announced that the Coalition Against Bill 7 will involve a nationwide campaign of public engagement forums, awareness drives, and peaceful demonstrations adding that the campaign will be symbolized by the color black, representing the people of Zambia as depicted on the national flag.
Bishop Mwenda concluded by urging government to immediately withdraw the Bill and return to the drawing board.
He also appealed to Members of Parliament not to “betray the will of the people” by supporting the Bill in its current form, warning that doing so would constitute an abuse of their mandate.
By Margaret Mwanza
