By 
Golden Party of Zambia (GPZ) President, Jackson Silavwe, has joined growing calls for President Hakainde Hichilema to abandon the ongoing constitutional review process and instead wait until after the 2026 general elections.
Silavwe argued that the current political climate was too charged to foster meaningful consensus among stakeholders, including the Church, politicians, and the general public.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, Silavwe said any attempt to amend the Constitution in such an environment would be futile and divisive.
“There would be no qualitative or quantitative loss to the nation or the UPND if the proposed amendments are deferred,” he said.
Silavwe recalled that in June 2018, political parties, including the UPND, met in Siavonga and agreed on a roadmap for constitutional and institutional reforms.
He noted that a joint statement—drafted by UPND’s Mulambo Haimbe, Dr. Choolwe Beyani, and Collins Maoma—was signed by all participating political groups.
He further pointed out that on October 30, 2020, the UPND celebrated the collapse of constitutional amendments in Parliament, which it had previously opposed.
“Having fully participated in that process, we now urge President Hichilema and the UPND to abandon these current amendments,” Silavwe said.
He warned that pushing ahead with the review could backfire politically for the President and his party, just as it did for the Patriotic Front in 2020.
“Without malice, President Hichilema would be better off staying away from any constitutional amendments for now,” Silavwe added.
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