Race by Hichilema govt to push through with constitutional amendment gains momentum, as Bill 7 returned to parliament

The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025 has returned to the floor of the National Assembly, despite rejection from segments of civil society including the Oasis Forum and opposition political parties.

First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Attractor Chisangano said her office had received communication from the Minister of Justice indicating that government wants the House to immediately resume consideration of the Bill.

Chisangano told Parliament in Lusaka on Tuesday that the Select Committee appointed to scrutinise the Bill would begin its sittings without delay.

“Standing Order 122(1) states that a Bill deferred for more than six months is deemed withdrawn by the member sponsoring it,” she said.

The Bill was deferred on 26 June 2025 in line with Standing Order 121(1), which allows a sponsoring member to defer or withdraw a Bill at any time by formally notifying the Speaker.

During the deferment period, President Hakainde Hichilema appointed a Technical Committee to consult Zambians and draft the Constitution, a document recently handed over at State House following conclusion of its work.

President Hichilema also held dialogue meetings with the Oasis Forum, which initially planned to protest against enactment of the Bill and had joined other pro-constitution amendment civil society organisations in seeking changes.

However, government later suspended dialogue with the Oasis Forum, adding a new layer of tension to the reform process and exposing widening differences over what constitutes “genuine engagement” and national consensus-building.

Talks led by Attorney-General Mulilo Kabesha were expected to build on a high-level meeting President Hichilema held with the Forum on Friday, 28 November 2025, framed as a confidence-building step meant to draw civil society into the process and demonstrate government’s openness to dissenting voices.

Read More: Govt says 11,860 submissions made as Committee on Constitutional Amendments winds up, 0.06% of population reached

Government officials say the Oasis Forum arrived with a closed position and “unwillingness to engage constructively,” citing a letter dated 29 November as evidence that the coalition was not prepared to proceed with “sincere dialogue.”

The Oasis Forum condemned government’s decision to suspend the talks and its refusal to consider withdrawing Bill 7 or providing legally sound alternatives, describing the move as a serious threat to Zambia’s foundational law and a potential trigger for anarchy.

The Forum said it pulled out of the dialogue after it became clear that government remained adamant on pursuing what it considers an illegal process.

Beauty Katebe, Oasis Forum Chairperson, said government’s approach showed a lack of interest in people-driven dialogue and urged Zambians to defend constitutionalism, the rule of law and good governance.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema welcomed the conclusion of public consultations on the proposed amendments, noting a total of 11,860 submissions received by the Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments (TCCA) against a population of 19,693,423 — representing roughly 0.06 percent of Zambians, or one submission for every 1,660 people.

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