By 
Tension may be far from easing over the standoff between the presidency and organizers of the planned November 28 protests in Zambia.
This is as President Hakainde Hichilema reiterated an earlier warning that there was no justification for lawlessness or instigation of unrest, saying that his administration will not tolerate such activities.
Recently, Catholic Archbishop Ignatius Chama of the Kasama Archdiocese had endorsed the Oasis Forum’s opposition to proposed constitutional amendments while urging Christians to join the planned peaceful demonstration at State House in Lusaka on November 28, 2025.
Archbishop Chama described the proposed constitutional amendment as “a potentially dangerous erosion of constitutional safeguards” and appealed to Zambian Christians to participate in the nationwide peaceful protests organised by the Oasis Forum.
However, President Hichilema has said that the government would not allow the progress the country had made over the past four years to be destroyed by individuals advocating for protests.
Speaking during a press conference at State House in Lusaka on Tuesday, President Hichilema said the government had called for a structured national dialogue to listen to the views of those opposed to the proposed constitutional amendment.
“We will not allow the gains we have made as a nation to be lost through acts of violence and disorder. Let’s come to the dialogue table and resolve issues in a peaceful and constructive manner,” he said.
President Hichilema expressed concern over the rising levels of hatred in the country, urging Zambians to act in a Godly and patriotic manner.
The Head of State condemned remarks reportedly made by some church leaders suggesting it would have been better to rig the 2021 election than allow him to rule.
“None of us chose where we were born or which tribe we belong to. We must learn to coexist and love one another as one people. It is sad that while the international community is seeing opportunities in Zambia, some of our own citizens are advocating for violence,” he said.
Hichilema described such statements as un-Christian and divisive, saying they had no place in a democratic nation.
He also recalled the period of extra-judicial killings and political violence that occurred under the previous Patriotic Front (PF) regime, saying his government would never allow a return to caderism.
“We are seeing attempts by some former PF cadres to regroup and reignite violence. The law will take its course on anyone promoting disorder, regardless of their political or religious affiliation,” Hichilema warned.
He stressed that no individual should hide behind religion, ethnicity, or political identity to promote division.
“Do not preach hatred and hide in the name of the church or political party. The law is blind to whoever commits a crime,” he said.
President Hichilema further urged UPND members to remain disciplined and refrain from acts of violence, emphasizing that leadership should be demonstrated through peace and humility.
In addition, the President directed the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security to intensify efforts to remove illegal firearms from communities to ensure national security and safety.
“We must choose love, dialogue, and peace. That is how we will protect the progress we have made and continue building a better Zambia for all,” President Hichilema said.
He added that his administration had received more foreign dignitaries at State House in four years than any government before, saying it reflected renewed confidence in Zambia’s leadership and global standing.
The Oasis Forum had earlier welcomed President Hichilema’s call for a meeting at State House on the Constitution amendment process, but insisted that its planned November 28 protest would go ahead until the two sides meet and agree on the way forward.
Forum Chairperson, Beauty Katebe, told Zambia Monitor in an interview that the President’s gesture represented a hallmark of leadership and expressed the organization’s readiness to dialogue as long as the Head of State was equally ready to listen.
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