AFRICA/ZAMBIA - Controversy over the proposed constitutional amendments

Lusaka (Agenzia Fides) – "Constitutional reform is not a priority but, on the contrary, constitutes a mass distraction from the nation's real problems." This is the meaning of the statement by the Archdiocese of Lusaka Presbyteral Council on the proposed constitutional amendments announced on September 13 of last year by President Hakainde Hichilema.
"The Archdiocese of Lusaka Presbyteral Council notes with dismay and concern the government's persistent strategy to divert the population's attention from important and urgent national issues by using, among other strategies, the proposal of constitutional amendments," says the statement published on the official account of the Archdiocese of Lusaka. Among the "important and urgent national issues," the Archdiocese of Lusaka Presbyteral Council lists: "The high cost of living, the crippling energy crisis, food insecurity, youth unemployment, divisive politics, reduced revenues from the mining sector, increased arrests and illegal detention of opposition politicians, selective efforts to combat corruption, nepotism, a lack of medicines, and the deplorable state of health facilities."
"Therefore, constitutional amendment is not a national priority in the current context and time." The Council urges "the government to immediately abandon the proposed constitutional amendments and instead focus on the pressing national issues of concern to the majority of Zambians."
After recalling that the current government majority contributed to drafting the Constitution that came into effect in 2016, the statement asserts that "we are not facing a constitutional crisis, nor a compelling historical opportunity or event that justifies amending the Republican Constitution. In fact, this government has failed to keep its political promises!" The statement by the Archdiocese of Lusaka Presbyteral Council prompted a stance from several lay members of the faithful who serve in President Hakainde Hichilema's cabinet. In a reply signed, among others, by Defense Minister Ambrose Lufuma, the Catholic lay members of the government stated: "We, members of the Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Lusaka, who also hold various government positions, wish to express our deep dismay at the letter in circulation, presumably written by the Archdiocese of Lusaka Presbyteral Council, regarding the proposed constitutional amendments. We wish to clarify that the opinions expressed in this letter do not reflect our collective position on this important nation-building process." (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 9/4/2025)

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