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The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has urged President Hakainde Hichilema to revise the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the Constitution Technical Committee currently sitting in Lusaka to ensure the process aligns with the aspirations of the Zambian people.
JCTR Deputy Director, Dr. Boyd Nyirenda, said this would help match the broad constitutional reform mandate and begin by seeking citizens’ consent to amend the Constitution.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, Dr. Nyirenda called on President Hichilema and the UPND government to avoid the pitfalls of Bill 7 by allowing a comprehensive review of all constitutional provisions, rather than restricting the process to pre-selected sections.
“The Terms of Reference appear to focus more on political matters than on issues of development and human rights,” he said.
He emphasized the need for flexibility that allows stakeholders to raise issues beyond the ToRs, including proposals such as expanding the Bill of Rights.
“JCTR acknowledges the appointment of the Technical Committee (TC) on the Constitution Review as a process grounded in constitutional law under Articles 92 (1), (2f) and (2j) of the Constitution,” Nyirenda said.
However, he noted that JCTR remained deeply concerned that the current process was flawed and risked undermining the credibility and inclusiveness needed for a truly people-driven Constitution.
Nyirenda called for the recomposition of the Committee to ensure diversity, institutional accountability, and legislative clarity, as well as the expansion of its mandate to allow genuine reform.
He further proposed the adoption of inclusive town hall consultations, transparency in decision-making, and adequate time allocation to detach the process from electoral pressures.
“Zambia deserves a Constitution that reflects the aspirations of all its citizens. JCTR therefore calls for a more inclusive, transparent, and participatory process that prioritises national consensus over political timelines,” he said.
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He also raised concern that the Committee’s current composition did not adequately reflect Zambia’s diversity.
“This raises two challenges: members cannot be held accountable to their respective organisations, and questions arise regarding the competence and suitability of some appointed members,” Nyirenda stated.
He added that although the Committee had been assigned a broad mandate, its Terms of Reference remained narrow and restrictive — echoing past concerns about Bill 7, which limited genuine constitutional reform.
Nyirenda also criticised the three-week timeframe allocated for nationwide consultations, describing it as unrealistic and exclusionary.
“The current approach of collecting submissions through Provincial Headquarters is inherently selective and excludes many voices, especially at the grassroots,” he said.
He warned that the process appeared rushed and seemingly tied to the electoral calendar, stressing that constitutional reforms should not be subjected to political expediency.
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