Caritas Zambia calls for a postponement of constitutional amendments until post-2026 elections, emphasizing the need for consensus for effective changes. President Hakainde Hichilema announced amendments ahead of the elections, but concerns were raised by Fr. Gabriel Mapulanga regarding the timing and necessity of building agreement.
Caritas Zambia has urged the Zambian government to delay any proposed amendments to the Constitution until after the general elections scheduled for 2026. This appeal comes from the development arm of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), highlighting concerns regarding electoral reforms criticized by ZCCB members the previous year.
On March 8, 2025, during the International Women’s Day celebrations, President Hakainde Hichilema announced intentions to amend the Constitution prior to the upcoming elections. Following this, on March 17, Fr. Gabriel Mapulanga, Executive Director of Caritas Zambia, reinforced the importance of building consensus before making such significant changes.
Fr. Mapulanga stated that effective constitutional amendments necessitate adequate time for agreement among stakeholders, stating, “It is too late to build the kind of consensus that is required for such a serious exercise.” He urged that this process should be postponed until the post-2026 election period to ensure a more comprehensive approach.
In summary, Caritas Zambia has expressed significant concerns regarding the proposed constitutional amendments ahead of the 2026 elections. The organization emphasizes the necessity of achieving broad consensus to facilitate effective changes. Calls from Fr. Gabriel Mapulanga highlight the urgency of reconsidering the timeline of these proposed amendments to prevent rushed decisions that may lack comprehensive agreement among stakeholders.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
