Students Unions in Zambia have called on Government to consider deferring the second reading of the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill No. 10 of 2019 to allow the public to study the final report of the Parliamentary Committee which was considering the Bill.

Speaking on behalf of the Unions, Zambia National Students Union Vice President Steven Kanyakula said the students’ body has been interacting with members of parliament from both the opposition and ruling political parties who have indicated the Report has addressed concerns of concerns of both those have been against the Bill and those in favour of the Bill.

ZANASU calls on Government to postpone the enactment of the Bill to allow the public access to this Bill and to engage each other on the way forward.

“As we call for postponement of the tabling of this Bill, but not the withdrawal, we call on Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon Patrick Matibini to immediately publish the Report of the Committee which should be used for engagement among different sides who have a problem with the current Bill. The two sides must be allowed an opportunity to see whether the Report has taken views of everyone into account.”

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The students have further counsel Civil Society Organisations who share conflicting views to show leadership and sit down and reconcile their positions before the Bill can be enacted.

Meanwhile, the students have charged that the US Ambassador to Zambia, Daniel Foote, overreacted on the sentencing of two persons convicted of homosexuality to 15 years in prison

“This country also has stiffer penalties for drug-related crimes and many are serving these sentences. What the Ambassador should have noted is that all sexual offences in Zambia, including rape and defilement carry the minimum sentence of 15 years under our laws and the practice of homosexuality should not be different unless we as Zambians decided to amend our laws,” said Mr Kanyakula.

The students have charged that 99 percent of Zambians are averse to the practice of homosexuality because of the strong family values, religious beliefs, cultural and traditional norms accepted by the Zambia society and the USA should respect the laws of Zambia just as Zambian citizens in the US must respect the laws of that country.

“We believe that just as Zambia has no right to impose its values or manner of doing things on the USA, the USA has no justification to do so. Zambia and the United States of America must continue to enjoy good relations based on mutual respect for each other’s values, rules and laws,” he charged.

The 20th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) has officially opened in Kigali with President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame calling for strong political leadership and enhanced health systems in order for Africa to free herself from AIDS.

President Kagame said the fight against AIDS requires solidarity and continued dialogue so that issues of stigma are dealt with.

Mr. Kagame, who was accompanied by Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi, said the existence of ICASA should enable Africa breakdown taboos and challenges surrounding HIV/AIDS.

He said it was vital that efforts to raise support towards securing resources for sustainability are intensified in Africa.

The Rwandan Head of State has meanwhile commended the continued engagement of Global Fund, GAVI and other international partners sponsoring research and related works in the area of HIV.

President Kagame has further underscored the need for strong national health systems so as to meet the current and future needs of people on the continent.

He noted that effective systems and proper infrastructure enabled HIV services reach communities easier.

President Kagame also called on communities to trust health care providers and services offered so that it can be easier to monitor and provide the much needed support.

He further stressed the need for good political leadership which can inspire the drive to combat the disease.

The Rwandan President pointed out that there was no substitute for building a caring society if structures and key factors capable of transforming the continent’s gains to build resilience against HIV and other diseases are overlooked.

And World Health Organization Director General Tedros Ghebeyesus praised Rwanda for being a model in Africa in terms of implementing a number developmental goals.

Dr. Ghebeyesus commended the country for being the first on the continent to achieve the 90-90-90 target in the area of HIV which he said was incredible.

He called on the whole continent to pursue more aggressive workable solutions if AIDS is to end by 2030.

Dr. Ghebeyesus stated that the 37.9 million people currently infected by HIV worldwide require interventions that will see their lives prolonged and new infections stopped.

The WHO chief reiterated his organisation’s commitment to working with governments on the continent to combat the disease.

Earlier, Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) president John Ijoko urged the continent to focus their attention on young people as they were the future.

Professor Idoko said whilst the current results by UNAIDS show that Africa had made progress in slowing down the virus, domestic financing and innovations still remain critical to eliminate the virus in Africa.

The ICASA conference opening ceremony, which was attended by first ladies from Botswana, Benin, Rwanda, Niger, ministers of health of African governments and dignitaries, was characterised by colourful performances by the local youths.

The conference, whose theme is, ‘AIDS Free Africa; innovation, community and political leadership, is running from December 2nd to 7th 2019 in Kigali and over 8,000 delegates have gathered for the Indaba.

President Edgar Lungu has implored the electorates in Milenge district to vote for the Patriotic Front (PF) candidate Chanda Masheke so as to ensure development to the area.

Drumming up support for Mr. Masheke in Luela, Mulumbi and Kafwanka areas of Milenge east, President Lungu said government has developed the area especially in the education and health sectors with the latest notable development being electrification of the district.

“My government has electrified Milenge east, the district administration area and even this place will be electrified as can be seen with the poles and cables that have been erected and put in place through the rural electrification authority,” he said.

Speaking ahead of the November 5th Milenge District Council Chairperson by-elections, President Lungu, who earlier used the rough road leading to Luela to kick-start the campaign trail, pledged to work on the key roads linking to the district.

The Head of State, who was flanked by Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya, Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa and other party officials, assured electorates that government will fulfil its promises.

He said the people of Milenge had demonstrated loyalty worth the reward for supporting the ruling party during past elections.

He pointed out that Milenge district and other areas that had lagged behind deserved to have a fair share of development which was indiscriminately spread out to other regions such as Southern province.

And the aspiring candidate, Chanda Masheke, pledged to meet the electorates’ expectations of delivering on developmental goals once voted into office.

Speaking earlier, PF General Secretary Davies Mwila urged electorates not to be swayed by other politicians seeking office whom he said would promise what they are unable to fulfil.

Other politicians on the campaign bandwagon were nominated Member of Parliament Raphael Nakachinda, Zambia Republican Party President Wright Musoma who also urged the voters in Milenge to rally behind the PF candidate.

According to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) 2016 poll statistics, Milenge District has 13 wards, 33 polling stations and 18,466 registered voters.

ZANIS/ ENDS/DN/KSH………………………….DRY

The opposition Party for Economic Progress (PeP) says it is resolute in getting justice for all the victims of the aggravated robbery case that happened last week in Cairo road in Lusaka.

Around 50 Pep members were brutally attacked by suspected PF cadres led by Lusaka Province PF Chairman Paul Moonga.

In the latest press statement, PeP says it’s PeP President Sean Tembo, the Deputy Secretary-General together with other senior party officials on Monday morning managed to obtain Medical Reports from UTH and proceeded to Lusaka Central Police where all available evidence was submitted to the Police.

“Detailed statements were also recorded from each PeP official in relation to the aggravated robbery case against PeP members which took place last week on Thursday along Cairo Road, Lusaka,” it says

He added, “especially given that the majority of the victims of this aggravated robbery case are underprivileged citizens who will take years to just replace their stolen cellphones.”

The party said that everything is now in the hands of the Police and expects that the police will do their job diligently and the victims of this crime will receive the justice that they are entitled to.

“In his statement to the Police, the PeP President again emphasized the identity of two of the assailants that attacked him and his party members. The Police also visited the scene of the aggravated robbery case. About 50 PeP members are expected to submit detailed statements to the Zambia Police this week,” it said.

“In addition to the PeP President, about 14 other PeP members had their phones and wallets stolen from them by the assailants. The Party is resolute in getting justice for all the victims of this aggravated robbery case, especially given that the majority of the victims of this aggravated robbery case are underprivileged citizens who will take years to just replace their stolen cellphones.”

The Zambian government has sought to strike a reconciliation tone after US Ambassador Daniel Foote threatened that Washington may review its cooperation with Zambia as the gay rights row deepened.

Earlier on Monday, Mr. Foote in a rare press conference explosively revealed that Zambia and US relations are decaying and are now strained.

But the Zambian government says it still considers the US government as a friend.

Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya says the long-standing cordial relations between Zambia and the US has always been considered a partnership between friends.

“Any difference of opinion on any matter has always been expected to be admirably resolver including agreeing to disagree,” Ms Siliya said.

Earlier, Ms Siliya has maintained that homosexuality is Illegal in Zambia and that  Government stands by the Zambian people who have said no to homosexuality even though the latest Constitution review process.

Ms Siliya said that as President Edgar Lungu told SKY FM in an interview standing firm against the Order of Nature does not make Zambians uncivilised.

According to a tweet, Ms Siliya who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister, said Zambians Love their God and until Zambians change homosexuality is illegal.

Yesterday, President Edgar Lungu said Zambia will not be forced to legalise homosexuality for fear of losing Aid.

President Lungu said that it will be wrong to tie aid to the introduction of homosexuality in Zambia because the country has traditions and values which should be respected, adding that American Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote went too far by insulting the collective wisdom of the Zambian people in the manner he commented on the issue.

Below is the latest Government statement on the issue

A Consortium of Civil Society Organisations says it remains deeply concerned about the country’s debt situation which continues to inhibit Government expenditure, and subsequently negatively affects citizens’ livelihoods.

The Consortium comprises the Consumer Unity and Trust Society, Civil Society for Poverty Reduction, Non-governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating Council, Action Aid Zambia, Oxfam, the Centre for Trade Policy and Development, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, Caritas, Transparency International Zambia Development Finance Associates and the Alliance for Community Action.

They said Zambia’s economy and its citizens are struggling, and the national debt is at the heart of the issue. As civil society, we applaud discussions about re-engagement with the International Monetary Fund.
The CSOs note that the IMF could offer valuable concessional finance which would ease the current liquidity crisis and relieve pressure on the economy.

They said they, however, note with concern a seeming lack of substantial progress in agreeing on a support package given that discussions with the IMF on a bailout package are dependent on our debt reaching a sustainable level.

The CSOs said with or without the IMF, however, tough action on debt cannot be avoided for much longer. The government needs to take urgent and deliberate action to put the economy back on track, starting with a restructuring of Zambia’s infrastructure projects, an improved public financial legislative framework and a revised and comprehensive plan to manage debt.

“We are of the view that Zambia’s debt situation remains the primary cause of Zambia’s struggling economy. While indeed the effects of climate change on the energy and the agriculture sector have negatively affected growth this year, it is not the primary cause of Zambia’s economic situation”, they added.

They noted that over the past ten years Zambia’s debt has increased at untenable levels and as such we find ourselves in a situation of high risk of debt distress. Currently, our debt to GDP ratio stands at 78 percent and according to the IMF, this is projected to reach 92 percent by the end of the year.
The CSO’s noted that this level of debt has weakened the kwacha, constrained growth and limited government’s ability to respond to the external shock of climate change.

They added that due to Zambia’s high debt levels, ordinary citizens are increasingly experiencing a high cost of living, driven in part by the weakening kwacha, high fees and taxes, and reduced job opportunities, combined with low investor confidence, arrears and a high tax burden on business.
Further, the CSO’s said because of the debt, government’s spending on social sectors has been adversely affected negatively impacting citizen’s access to social services such as access to quality health and education.

They noted that the reduced expenditure in the social sectors is without doubt adversely affecting the most vulnerable in our society, especially women and children. While Government has taken some steps including the release of quarterly updates by the Ministry of Finance, announcements of the proposed slowdown in contraction of infrastructure projects and the abandonment of the sales tax, the measures are currently insufficient to put the economy back on course, particularly given the recent indications of further borrowing for various infrastructure projects.

“In May this year, the President convened an extraordinary Cabinet meeting on Zambia’s economic challenges, which recognized the scale of the problem and made positive commitments to addressing debt. What it is required at this point, however, is the political will to implement the measures which will lead Zambia on the path of economic recovery, set debt on a downward path and reduce domestic arrears”, they said in a statement.

They said with the Ministry of Finance’s plan to restructure the infrastructure project portfolio to be discussed at Cabinet, we urge the government to demonstrate the necessary commitment to kickstart Zambia’s economic recovery and outline a key strategy with quantifiable milestones on how they intend to achieve this goal.

“Government needs to put in place long-term measures to generate confidence in Zambia’s economy which will have dividends in stabilizing the kwacha, reducing the price of borrowing and providing a route to refinancing the country’s long-term debt obligations. To do this, Zambia needs to firstly introduce legislation to improve debt management”, they said.

They said this includes, revising the Loans and Guarantees Act and the Public Procurement Act, as well as enacting the Planning and Budgeting Bill adding that these pieces of legislation will increase accountability, transparency and budget integrity while curbing the mismanagement of public finances and reducing wastage.

The CSO’s noted that one major concern on the part of civil society is the proposed revision within the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 that seeks to remove parliamentary oversight on the contraction of debt.

“Debt transparency enables borrowers and lenders to effectively evaluate the sustainability of public debt and monitor emerging risks. Recent cases of hidden debt, notably Mozambique, demonstrate the adverse social, economic, and political consequences borrowers can face. Secondly, the Government needs to develop credible long-term plans to manage debt. This process starts with a revised Mid-Term Debt Strategy which addresses how the government plans to manage upcoming debt repayments. It should be complemented by a refinancing strategy for Zambia’s Eurobonds to restore public confidence that the government has the means to manage its debt in 2022 and beyond”, they added

They said this planning should be backed up not only by restructuring infrastructure spending but by also by outlining quantifiable and measurable austerity measures to reduce the national budget percentage of the wage bill in order to protect productive and poverty-alleviating expenditure.

“In order to do this, there is the need for deliberate measures to ring-fence social sector budget allocations if the country has to achieve its plan to reduce poverty and vulnerability as outlined in Pillar 2 of the Seventh National Development Plan. Civil society call for urgent action to mitigate the impact of debt on the economy and citizens”, they added.

“Ultimately, the IMF is well placed to support the Government to relieve this pressure, but we welcome any move to address debt and put the economy back on track. This week’s decision to approve and publish plans to restructure infrastructure projects would be a vital first step in demonstrating commitment – and delivering for citizens”, they added.