“Constitutional Reform Roadmap Needed”
… The NGOCC urges the government to outline a transparent plan for implementing constitutional changes.
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24 – (08-08-2024) – The Non-governmental Gender Organizations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has called on the government to immediately outline a clear roadmap for constitutional reforms following President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent commitment to respecting the constitution and rejecting the extension of the presidential term of office.
NGOCC Chairperson Grace Manyonga-Sinkamba, told Zambia24 that the organization welcomed the President’s assurance to uphold the constitution and the government’s promise to facilitate an open and transparent constitutional review process.
“We commend the government for this assurance and for recognizing the need for regular five-year term renewals,” Manyonga-Sinkamba said.
However, the NGOCC emphasized the urgency for the government to provide a detailed plan for the constitutional review process.
Manyonga-Sinkamba highlighted that the current constitution contains numerous problematic clauses, particularly within the limited Bill of Rights, necessitating a thorough review.
The NGOCC reminded the government of several key commitments made in the New Dawn Government’s Party Manifesto before the 2021 General Elections.
According to Sinkamba, these commitments not only include establishing a durable constitutional order to catalyze political, economic, social development, completing the constitutional reform agenda through broad-based consensus but also domesticating key international and regional conventions to uphold good governance.
It was Sinkamba’s considered view thT reviving the process of expanding the Bill of Rights to integrate economic, social, and cultural rights, and guaranteeing the independence and autonomy of the judiciary, a free press, and an active civil society would also be ideal.
Sinkamba reiterated that while the President has sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution, the government is obligated to fulfill its commitments transparently and within the confines of the law.
She called for a constitutional review process facilitated through a national referendum to ensure the inclusion of the expanded Bill of Rights in the constitution, which she believes is crucial for uplifting the status of women and girls by guaranteeing their social, cultural, and economic rights.
The NGOCC urged the government to provide a clear roadmap on constitutional reforms, allowing citizens to prepare adequately and achieve broad-based consensus.
“Simply expressing a desire to respect a constitution with inconsistent, undesirable, and limiting provisions is not enough,” Manyonga-Sinkamba stated.
“The government must show a commitment to begin a clear process that allows for the much-needed reforms, as we firmly believe that the process protects the content.”
She called for action underscores the importance of a transparent and inclusive approach to constitutional reforms, ensuring that all Zambians have a voice in shaping the nation’s legal framework.