CSOs COMMEND PRESIDENT HICHILEMA, URGE HIM TO REINFORCE RULE OF LAW, CURB POLITICAL INTERFERENCE, AND SAFEGUARD DEMOCRACY AHEAD OF 2026
The Consortium of Civil Society Organisations for Good Governance and Constitutionalism has commended President Hakainde Hichilema for directing the Zambia Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to desist from effecting arrests before investigations are concluded.
Consortium Vice Chairperson and AIPAC Executive Director Solomon Ngoma said this directive is consistent with the principles of justice, rule of law and due process, and reflects the values the President has long stood for.
He stated that despite these clear instructions, law enforcement agencies continue to disregard them, raising concern about possible undue influence or external command structures dictating detentions.
Ngoma added that such disregard risks reducing presidential directives to mere rhetoric, thereby undermining public confidence in both the Presidency and law enforcement institutions.
He further observed that the Office of the Registrar of Societies appears increasingly used as a tool to weaken political parties ahead of the 2026 General Elections, which undermines democratic governance.
Ngoma stressed that public officers must uphold the Constitution, act impartially, and avoid decisions that may be perceived as politically motivated, especially in an election year.
He emphasised that President Hichilema must take concrete action to reinforce his directives, restore public confidence in state institutions, and guarantee a truly democratic electoral process- Byta