A consortium of Civil Society Organizations with representation at the National Dialogue Forum has formed a coalition called the Constitution Reform and Education aimed at protecting the content that will be agreed upon at the forum.
And the Consortium has hailed the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia, some members of Parliament and other organisations for participating in what they have termed a historical law-reform and law-making process.
Speaking on behalf of the Media Institute Southern Africa, Southern African Center for the Constructive Resolutions of Disputes, Young African Leaders Initiative and the Chrizzna Democracy University, MISA Zambia Vice Chairperson Hyde Haguta said in a democracy, rigidity of the mind has no place but must all open themselves up to debate even against those who share divergent views against them.
Mr. Haguta said in the last two weeks they have participated in the Forum, they have observed the free, objective and passionate debate among all members of the Forum in the spirit of republicanism, motherland and one Zambia, One Nation with stakeholders openly agreeing and disagreeing.
He said Ministers have differed among themselves on various contentious clauses in the Bills or Siavonga resolution with CSOs also disagreeing amongst themselves.
Mr. Haguta said these differences have reflected a spirit of democracy which Zambia has embraced where people must be allowed to hold and express divergence views.
He said any decision to stop this process because people are expressing divergent views, would have killed the very foundation of democracy which Zambia seek to consolidate as a country.
Mr. Haguta said all stakeholders participating in the Forum came with a clear and concise agenda with others coming to defend provisions that speak to women’s rights, the rights of the youth, the need to have laws that are friendly to the media, protection of national security and maximising the use of meagre national resources among others.
He said ultimately, the common mission at the Forum appear to have come out much clear in the last few days where it was agreed that Zambia needs to overhaul our laws with the aim of strengthening our governance system an indication that what is going on at the NDF is a clear indication that the interest of Zambians is being protected and secured by everyone and our democracy is maturing.
Mr. Haguta said the NDF process is more credible and focused, a process whose clear goals are outlined and are sure and confident that this national dialogue process is in safe hands of participating institutions and citizens despite a few challenges.
He said from tomorrow onwards, the NDF is entering a very crucial phase of especially when it comes to refining the Constitution of Zambia, Chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia.
Mr. Haguta said in view of the many issues that have come up – both from consideration of the Siavonga and the Constitution Amendment Bill of 2 of 2016–CSOs are prepared to seek consensus on behalf of the people of Zambia on the clauses that must find their way into the final Draft Constitution Amendment Bill.
Is this a constitutional review or national dialogue? I’m seriously lost
It’s a new national assembly. In other words Matibini lost job to Mwanalunshi.
Wonder what MPs are for now.
Country is in a mess.
You will be dribbled. You are playing man.
If HH is not interested and Kambwili with his lone MP is also not interested, there are many eminent persons and credible CSOs that are Zambian and patriotic to the very cause that every Zambian wants our democracy to go who are willing to participate. That is why it is called the national Dialogue. The spoiler, and cry-babies will keep on crying by the time they wake up they will be dancing “Pelete” to the same laws they shunned. The train is moving those interested to go will come in. Those still watching dollies at the station will continue doing so.
We really hope for the best out of this forum. Sometimes one’s gut onsticts are wrong. Ask those who do bola bet. They will confess. The train is now in kabwe.
God bless zed.
Instincts and not onstincs. Chizungu
A waste of money. Koswe mu mpoto doesnt have his priorities straight and has failed to run this country.
Why don’t they put it in the Constitution that the UPND shall remain an opposition Party since they have experience in opposition Politics?
Good to hear progressive comments from credable institutions like MISA and thr rest.
@Nostradamus, granted you are free to air your concern but I would advise you to respect one of the very few and most learned and humble academicians in NDC chairman Professor Muyunda Mwanalushi. He did not ask to be part of this, but was asked because of his brilliance, experience and level headedness. By the way, he was the one that wrote the Industrial Relations Act. Avail us your qualifications and lets see how they compare with the learned professor. You are out of your league when it comes to one of the most learned professors in prof Mwanalushi who has taught several Zambian professors todate.
We may not totally agree with the way the whole process has been done. At the same time lets respect the views and choices of those who have refused to get involved in a process they deem flawed. All this talk that these people will have a case to answer is not necessary. Putting up stage managed demonstrations against members of parliament who have stayed away is again being undemocratic. The draft bill on this dialogue process does not supersede the supreme law of the land which is the very Constitution you are trying to refine. However you guys gathered there must do a good job which even those who have opposed this process will come to appreciate. When Zambia is playing it does not matter to me who score the winning goal. At the end Zambia must win. Otherwise your true motives will…
THE MPS DECIDED (BY VOTE OR SIMPLE MAJORITY OR WHATEVER THEY USE)IN PARLIAMENT WHAT SHALL BEFALL ANY OF THEM THAT SHALL ABSCOND FROM NDF. AND PROCEEDED TO MAKE THIS INTO A BILL THAT WAS ASSENTED TO BY THE PRESIDENT. YES FOR OTHER PARTICIPANTS THEY CAN DECIDE TO ABSCOND, BUT FOR MPS IT IS A MUST. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS. ITS LIKE A DOCTOR AT UTH WHO DECIDES NOT TO GO FOR WORK FOR ONE WEEK CLAIMING THAT IT IS MY RIGHT TO DECIDE TO GO FOR WORK OR NOT TO GO THERE.
Fix the economy instead of trying to fix what doesn’t need fixing, that constitution or whatever you’re agreeing on will be tossed out by the next guy because it more of a coup by people who want to use it for their benefit not considering the interests of everyone else. People are not going to eat that piece of paper come up with solutions to issues like high youth unemployment, bad economy and bad healthcare before the people revolt.
I NEED THE OUT COME CONTENTS OF THE DIALOGUE