ZAMBIA: Bishops Call for Withdrawal of Contentious Bill No. 10 from Parliament

The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has rejected Bill no. 10 of 2019, saying the process that was undertaken lacked genuine consensus and have called on Members of Parliament to withdraw the piece of legislation immediately.

In a statement dated June 9, 2020 and signed by ZCCB president Rt. Rev. George Lungu, the Catholic bishops said the Church firmly believes that any legitimate process of making, reviewing and amending the supreme law of the land ought to be premised on a process that is widely inclusive, transparent, accountable and anchored on consensus building rather than partisan interests.

Bill 10 seeks to review and amend the Constitution of Zambia as amended in 2016 so that it is fine-tuned. However, gathering from the reactions of some Zambians, there are a number of contentious issues about it which include a subtle way of increasing the executive power, paving way for coalition government where no political party achieves 50% plus one votes, the the parliament’s oversight role when it comes to government borrowing and national debt.

In this regard, the bishops who are joining other voices against the bill reiterate that the making of a people-driven Constitution that would stand the test of time calls for a spirit of dialogue and wider consultation with the stakeholders who are primarily the citizenry.

The Bishops added that [people-driven Constitution] dialogue involves a courteous discussion with a view to reaching or at least moving closer to a consensus.  This requires stakeholders to be open, to be ready to listen and to share positions that will see a better future.

“Unfortunately, what we have observed with regard to Bill 10 is that the process that was undertaken lacked genuine consensus and has become a source of division in the country. Instead of bringing Zambians together for a common cause, it has further polarized them,” the statement reads.

“We hereby make our earnest appeal to the conscience of all Members of Parliament across the political divide to respect the will of the majority Zambians and immediately withdraw the said Bill 10 from the floor of the House,” the Bishops’ statement continues.

They further appealed to the people of Zambia not to lose hope. “We genuinely believe the words of our Lord Jesus Christ that those who hunger and thirst for justice will in the end be satisfied.”