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Oasis Forum Chairperson, Beauty Katebe, has urged opposition political parties to end internal confusion and rally behind a single presidential contender.
Katebe said the growing trend of multiple aspirants emerging from the same political blocs was weakening the effectiveness of the opposition.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by opposition political parties to the Oasis Forum to offer solidarity over its stance on constitutional amendments, Katebe advised the parties to identify one or two capable leaders.
She expressed disappointment that the ruling UPND was taking advantage of fragmentation in the opposition and “doing things with impunity,” including the re-introduction of Bill 7 to Parliament without listening to divergent views.
“Let me take this opportunity to also ask that you the opposition should consider choosing one or two leaders to challenge the UPND. This thing of everyone wanting to be a President is weakening the opposition,” Katebe emphasized.
She stressed that the fight against the constitutional amendment process was not partisan, but centered on the integrity of the constitutional process.
“We are not dwelling on individual clauses but on the process, which is flawed. Bill 7 threatens the independence of the three arms of government. If the Executive dominates the Legislature and Judiciary, Zambians lose the protection of a fair and independent governance system,” Katebe said.
Earlier, United Liberal Party (ULP) President, Sakwiba Sikota, called on political leaders and civil society actors to remain vigilant in defending the Constitution.
“The message to the committee is clear: those who make the wrong decisions will face the scrutiny of the people, civil society, and the church. The winning side is always with the people,” Sikota said.
He warned that rushed constitutional changes could threaten the independence of government institutions.
Similarly, People’s Alliance for Change (PAC) President Andyford Banda said constitutional reforms should be people-driven rather than dictated by the interests of a few individuals in power.
“The process of recreating the Constitution has been rushed and manipulated. We stand in solidarity with those defending the democratic order,” Banda said.
United National Independence Party (UNIP) President Trevor Mwamba framed opposition to Bill 7 in moral and ethical terms, highlighting justice, truth, and accountability.
“Opposing Bill 7 is not about personalities. It is about principle and standing for what is right,” Mwamba said.
Patriotic Front President, Given Lubinda, defended the process, noting that it involved extensive submissions over 45 days of parliamentary sittings.
“We have engaged in a process guided by law. We recognize the concerns, but the work done over years cannot be dismissed,” Lubinda said.
Leaders from Zambia We Want, Kapembwa Simbao, accused the government of using delimitation as a pretext to push Bill 7, while Mwaba Kasese of Citizens First criticized the lack of public consultation.
The meeting concluded with opposition leaders agreeing to deliver a letter from the Oasis Forum to Members of Parliament urging them not to support Bill 7 if it reaches Parliament — a move previously blocked when the letter was submitted directly to Parliament.
State House has given the consortium of opposition leaders until December 7 to submit clause-by-clause objections to Bill 7 of 2025, following an open letter delivered at the gate on December 2.
State House Chief Communication Specialist, Clayson Hamasaka, said anything less than detailed submissions would only confirm what many citizens already suspect.
“The opposition’s letter condemns Bill 7 without identifying a single clause they oppose,” Hamasaka said.
He contrasted this with President Hakainde Hichilema’s response to Bill 10, saying the President openly identified specific threats to democracy.
“State House now invites the consortium to demonstrate the same level of clarity, stressing that if their objections are real, specific, and constructive, the Government will give them due consideration,” Hamasaka stated.
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