By 
President Hakainde Hichilema has moved swiftly to contain rising tensions over the proposed constitutional amendments, issuing a fresh invitation to civil society groups planning a November 28 protest to come inside State House for “structured, solution-oriented conversations” rather than staging demonstrations outside the gates.
The new position, delivered Sunday through State House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka, marks a significant escalation in the unfolding Church–State–civil society dispute sparked by Archbishop Ignatius Chama’s endorsement of the Oasis Forum’s planned protest against Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7.
State House: Protesters Welcome Inside, Not Outside
In the statement, Hichilema said he had “taken note of concerns” raised by groups intending to march to State House, but stressed that Zambia’s constitutional democracy thrives on dialogue, not confrontation.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to freedoms of expression and assembly but emphasised that people-driven reform is best achieved through respectful engagement, not street protests.
Read more: President Hichilema warns clergy against ‘street confrontations’ as tension rises over Bill 7
He noted that the ongoing amendment process is already anchored in extensive nationwide consultations conducted by the Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments — a body he described as comprising “eminent Zambians” drawn from faith-based, traditional, civil society, professional and youth groups.
Hamasaka said these consultations have reached all provinces and sought views from women, youth, persons with disabilities and marginalised communities.
Against that backdrop, Hichilema extended an unprecedented offer:
“The organisations planning the protest are invited to meet inside State House, where structured, solution-oriented conversations can take place.”
According to the statement, such dialogue would allow for immediate clarification and feedback while charting a constructive national path forward.
Earlier: Hichilema Cautions Clergy Against ‘Street Confrontations’
The new State House position comes hours after President Hichilema publicly warned Church leaders against promoting “violence or street confrontations,” in what was widely interpreted as a response to Archbishop Chama’s call for Christians to join the protest.
Speaking at the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Matero, the President insisted that senior clergy must model dialogue, not escalation.
“Elders in the Church should never advocate violence or street confrontations, but should instead champion dialogue as the primary tool for resolving disputes,” he said.
He warned that Zambia must not return to the days when “violence characterised public spaces such as markets and bus stops,” linking such behaviour to the misuse of social media and poor leadership examples.
Growing Clash of Convictions
The Oasis Forum has maintained that the protest will go ahead as scheduled, arguing that Bill No. 7 threatens constitutional integrity. Archbishop Chama supported that view, urging Christians to stand firm.
However, EFZ Presiding Bishop Paul Mususu took a different line, urging protesters to reconsider and noting that the amendment process also contains “progressive provisions,” including constituency delimitation.
The divergent voices within the Church — and between civil society and the State — have intensified the national debate.
Dialogue or Demonstration?
With just days before the march, the President’s invitation to meet inside State House sets the stage for a critical decision:
Will the organisers abandon the protest for dialogue — or press ahead to make their point outside?
What is clear is that the constitutional amendment process, intended to be consultative, has now become one of the most politically charged issues as Zambia moves closer to the 2026 polls.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments