Several Zambian civil society organisations have announced plans to hold a peaceful procession and public assembly on November 25, 2026, to defend the Constitution and oppose proposals to abolish presidential term limits.
In a joint statement issued on November 3, organisations including Chapter One Foundation, Transparency International Zambia, ActionAid and the Council of Churches in Zambia said they had formally notified the Zambia Police Service of their intention to demonstrate.
The groups said the planned gathering would provide an opportunity for citizens to express their opposition to constitutional changes that could allow presidents to remain in office beyond the current two-term limit.
The organisations acknowledged that another group of citizens had exercised their constitutional rights on October 27 by petitioning the National Assembly to abolish presidential term limits. While disagreeing with that position, they said they respected the petitioners’ right to express their views and intended to exercise the same freedoms to defend the existing constitutional provisions.
The groups argued that presidential term limits are an important safeguard against excessive concentration of political power, recalling Zambia’s successful resistance to a proposed third presidential term in 2001.
They also pointed to constitutional review consultations in 2025 that recommended retaining the current limits, insisting that protecting the Constitution is a collective responsibility shared by all Zambians.
Extend this arrangement to Districts please
This issue is in its proposal stage, and people are debating, some are for and you are against, so there is no need ukubilima sana. Mind you, those who are in favour can equally protest in support of the motion. This is a repeat of what we saw during the Bill 7 debate, with or without protests, others will still win while others will still lose. After all, the final say is from voters or electorates.
The motivations for these intended demonstrations are many and varied.Many it’s just out of jealousy seeing a man they personal ly don’t like,prove himself capable to achieve where where their favourites failed. Others cannot stomach their personal opportunities being lost to a very long wait. And still many want a chance to be noticed.
The man has proven himself that with honesty,hardwork and foresight it can be done. He has demanded nothing in return but selflessly given. He has given himself a target to lift Zambians from poverty and squalor.But after all that you have seen,you want to go and scream Crucify him
This is the way to go. We can’t tailor the constitution around an individual no matter how good he is.
The term limit is a powerful tool against dictatorship and must be maintained. Let us send a clear message to the gullible who think some people are angels. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Trust is good but control is better.
Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison, came out and ruled South Africa for three years before handing over to Thabo Mbeki in the last two years of his reign. South Africa faced far greater challenges than what Zambia is facing today. Mandela did not insist even on a second term which was rightly his.
That is what great leaders do. They groom a successor and make themselves irrelevant not indispensable. If someone insists thay are the only ones who can deliver, then there is something dreadfully wrong with their leadership.
HH serves two terms. We gave him his second term. He should quietly fade from the stage while we are applauding. It would be embarrassing and very sad to escort him off the stage with rotten eggs and tomatoes raining on him.
The choice is his.