Zambians free to debate term-limit but must not drag Hichilema into it —Presidency

State House has urged Zambians not to draw President Hakainde Hichilema into the ongoing debate over the proposed removal of presidential term limits from the Constitution, saying he is focused on delivering development and addressing national challenges.

Chief Government Communications Specialist, Clayson Hamasaka, said the President would not be distracted by the debate or comment on the matter despite pressure from some quarters for him to state his position.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, Hamasaka said Hichilema was preoccupied with implementing his development agenda and lifting citizens out of poverty.

He argued that the debate was being driven by citizens and should not be attributed to the Head of State.

“This debate is coming from the citizens… The people themselves who are happy with the prudent manner in which President Hichilema is running the affairs of the country and has nothing to do with the head of state. So why should he be dragged into it?” Hamasaka said.

He accused those seeking to involve the President of attempting to distract him from implementing the Grow Zambia Agenda, which he said was intended to accelerate national development and improve people’s livelihoods.

Hamasaka also described demands for the President to stop a debate he neither initiated nor influenced as unfair and malicious.

He said Hichilema should be allowed to concentrate on pressing national issues, including addressing the effects of El Niño and ensuring food and energy security.

Hamasaka further questioned what critics expected the President to say, arguing that his participation could expose him to accusations of restricting democratic freedoms.

“What do these people want President Hichilema to say? When he speaks, they are the same people who will stand on the mountain and claim that he does not want people to speak out on national issues. That he is shrinking the democratic space. That he is curtailing free speech by joining the debate. You can’t have your cake and eat it, too,” he said.

He maintained that it would be dictatorial for the President to unilaterally restrict citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed freedom to express themselves on matters of national interest.

Hamasaka, however, said Hichilema remained committed to upholding the Constitution and governing in accordance with the rule of law.

He urged Zambians to unite behind the Grow Zambia Agenda, saying collective effort was necessary to achieve the country’s development aspirations.

Zambia’s Constitution currently limits a President to two five-year terms in office.

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