Caritas Zambia calls for a postponement of constitutional amendments until after the 2026 general elections, citing the need for time to build consensus. The organization’s Executive Director, Fr. Gabriel Mapulanga, emphasized that it is too late to achieve necessary agreement for effective constitutional changes as expressed in President Hichilema’s recent announcement.
Caritas Zambia has urged the Zambian government to delay proposed constitutional amendments until after the 2026 general elections. This call comes from the development arm of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), which had previously criticized electoral reforms in 2024.
On March 8, President Hakainde Hichilema announced his government’s intention to amend the Constitution before the upcoming elections. In a statement issued on March 17, Fr. Gabriel Mapulanga, Executive Director of Caritas Zambia, highlighted the importance of allowing sufficient time for consensus-building among stakeholders for effective execution of constitutional changes. He stated, “It is too late to build the kind of consensus that is required for such a serious exercise.”
Caritas Zambia’s opposition to the proposed constitutional amendments stresses the need for consensus-building prior to executing significant legal changes. With elections approaching in 2026, the organization’s call for postponement reflects concerns over the viability and efficacy of such reforms, emphasizing that adequate time is necessary for dialogue. The government’s plans announced by President Hakainde Hichilema may need reevaluation to accommodate these concerns.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
