During an event held at the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) in Lusaka, a consortium of prominent organizations, including the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), the Non-Governmental Organization Coordinating Council (NGOCC), and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), formerly Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC), convened to announce the re-launch of the Oasis Forum. This forum, initially established in 2001, has been resurrected to advance constitutionalism, the rule of law, and good governance in the Republic of Zambia.
The re-launched Oasis Forum reaffirms the enduring commitment of these organizations to uphold constitutional principles and contribute to national development. Recognizing the pivotal role of constitutionalism, rule of law, and good governance in fostering the welfare of Zambian citizens, the consortium believes that continued collaboration in defending these values is indispensable.
The absence of a durable constitution that reflects the collective aspirations of Zambians has been a longstanding concern for the Oasis Forum. Despite being a signatory to various international treaties, Zambia lacks an expanded bill of rights in its Republican Constitution. The consortium stresses the importance of guaranteeing rights that uplift the living standards of all citizens, particularly the most vulnerable groups.
The Oasis Forum expresses dismay over the lack of a clear roadmap from the current government regarding the constitution-making process. Emphasizing the rule of law as the cornerstone of democracy, the consortium advocates for inclusivity, transparency, and accountability in governance. While applauding the enactment of the Access to Information Law to enhance transparency, the forum calls for greater representation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in governance structures.
The Oasis Forum reaffirms its commitment to advocating for constitutionalism, the rule of law, and good governance in Zambia. The consortium pledges to collaborate, advocate, and take lawful actions to ensure the country’s adherence to these fundamental principles. Furthermore, the forum demands a clear roadmap, including a standalone national referendum, to integrate the expanded bill of rights into the Republican Constitution.
Signed:
Bishop Andrew Mwenda, EFZ
Ms. Grace M. Sinkamba, NGOCC
Rev. Emmanuel Chikoya, CCZ
Fr. Francis Mukosa, ZCCB
Mr. Lungisani Zulu, LAZ
Another UKWA aka uka cooperative
Insala wanting to chew donated dollars. Shame on these people
This Constitutional review must surely come at an end. 60 years of independence and we are still on Constitution making? For how long are we going to continue doing this? This is a Circus. Please allow the country to move on with or without the lacunas , there’s no such thing as a perfect constitution. Any constitutional matter depends on which lenses one is using to see through it . This the same matter will be favourable to one and adverse to the other. The Country needs to move on otherwise even at 100 years we will still be talking of constitutional reviews.
To God Be the Glory..What a happy day for me, and for Zambia’s democracy.
Let’s get some more NGOs registered to look at the Protection of Zambia’s Assets and Resources, and Election monitoring groups. We can’t be having Opposition Members of the Electoral college arrested and detained only to be released after the Elections to elect the deputy mayor are over! Constitutional review roadmap hidden in the Mingalatoon’s pocket! Talk of the Registrar of Society ding dong shows… Sampa’s saga! The Legislature and Judiciary’s degenerative disorders.
Zambia deserves better.
Oasis Forum , welcome on board.
Give them tuma bulawuni envelopes, they will shut up. For 2 days. Then come back for more.
Fortunately that is not HH7’s modus operandi.
Mu za fukunyuka making tu ma one man political parties to oust him but you will fail.
Kikikiki….
Bane…something has to give. How different are you from the looters that prey on Treasury?
Zambia has bearly sorted out its debt obligations and you have started again? Lets be serious even donors that fund these reforms are fatigued. Same ol’ same ol’. Talema….
Zambia’s political history is incomplete without the role played by civil society under the Umbrella of the Oasis Forum. This is not a one man NGO which can be bought by 3 pieces of silver from Caesar. The Oasis Forum is composed of serious religious organizations made up of Catholic Bishops, UCZ and Evangelicals with tested Leadership and immense contributions which go back to the struggles for multi party democracy, the repeal of article 4 , and the dawn of the third republic. This is not in the League of NGOs of Tribal Zealots and Praise Thugs..
That they have decided to come out and relaunch the Oasis Forum is a sure sign that they have seen that the trajectory the country is on regarding the rule of law, governance, and democracy is wrong.
The men and women in this organization put a stop to another Mingalatoon, Fredrick Chiluba who wanted to manipulate the constitution and create a third term for himself in 2001. We have the current Mingalatoon who is on a trajectory to a fully blown dictatorship, who can’t respect the various arms of government, in league with the Police to destroy our democracy, who can’t conduct a decent election, who is disposing national assets and resources without regards to the law, and who is a danger to our Multi – Party democracy. The Legislature and Judiciary are being held hostage. Critical government institutions can’t function professionally. The Electoral Commission of Zambia has become an extension of the UPND , and in it’s current form can’t manage any election in Zambia, let alone the 2026 Presidential and General Elections.
The Mingalatoon now wants to secretly change the constitution without the involvement of the citizenry , something he is calling an amendment of non contesious issues, a thing which has never been done in Zambia before. A constitution is a people’s document. You can’t amend it in your bedroom at community house. Left to his own Whims Hakainde can plunge this country into Chaos. May the Oasis Forum bring back a platform of Resolve to put in check the excesses of Hakainde before this country is completely destroyed.
The relaunch of the Oasis Forum to talk about the Constitution making process and any improvements to the Constitution is a waste of time and resources.
Sometimes I wonder when I hear some opposition political parties and some disgruntled people alleging that there is shrinking of civic space, human rights abuses, poor rule of law and governance in new dawn government I become perplexed.
The new dawn government has created a conducive environment for civic space engagement by promoting human rights, governance and rule of law and yet you will still find ungrateful people condemning the government and disrespecting the republican president.
The opposition political parties and other disguised wolves in sheep’s skins pretending to speak for the people should come up with appropriate advice and demonstrated solutions to help the government than each time criticising and demeaning government even where the government is performing well.
People like Dr. Fred M’membe, certain PF members and some Church leaders from inception of the new dawn government they are bitter, jealousy and filled with hatred and evil motives about president Hikainde Hichilema. These group of people even when president Hikainde Hichilema was in opposition they did not hid their hatred and jealous through their hate speech and propaganda, it was enough indication of their hatred and disapproval of the president Hikainde Hichilema based on malice. No matter what good president Hikainde Hichilema will do to Zambia and its people, these wicked group of people will never appreciate him. Bitter and jealous souls will continue to fight his government but God will put them to shame and disgrace.