The leader of the Socialist Party (SP), Dr. Fred M’membe, has advised President Hakainde Hichilema to exercise caution in his efforts to amend Zambia’s Constitution, urging the president to carefully consider the concerns of various stakeholders in the process. Dr. M’membe’s comments come in light of ongoing discussions about constitutional amendments, which have raised concerns within key sectors of the Zambian society.
In a recent statement, Dr. M’membe highlighted the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (ZCCB) position on the matter. The bishops, in their latest Pastoral Statement, emphasized that there has been no agreed-upon roadmap for reviewing the Constitution. They further suggested that the proposed constitutional amendment should be postponed until after the 2026 elections, citing that there was insufficient time to build the necessary consensus among all interested parties for such a significant change.
Dr. M’membe, agreeing with the ZCCB’s perspective, underscored the importance of ensuring a broad-based consensus before moving forward with the amendment process. He stated that the amendment of the Constitution is a matter of national importance that requires careful consideration and input from all stakeholders, including the public. “The Constitution is a vital instrument for the governance of our country, and its amendment should not be rushed or forced upon the people,” he said.
The SP President also questioned the urgency with which President Hichilema is pursuing the constitutional amendments, asking why the government appears to be in a rush and why it is resistant to the idea of postponing the process. He also raised concerns about the timing of recent by-elections, questioning whether they are strategically linked to efforts to push through constitutional amendments.
Dr. M’membe urged President Hichilema to demonstrate leadership maturity and sobriety, warning that forcing the constitutional amendment process without sufficient consensus could lead to negative repercussions. He emphasized that the success of the amendment process would depend on building trust and agreement among all key players in Zambia’s political landscape.
As the debate over constitutional reforms continues, Dr. M’membe’s remarks highlight the tension between pushing for change and ensuring that any amendments reflect the will of the people, supported by broad consensus.
