MATTERS ARISING | Pro-Bill 7 Voices Drown Out Oasis Forum as Technical Committee Submits Report
December 1st delivered a dramatic reset. For the first time since the Bill 7 debate intensified, Zambians watched a full, open livestream of a constitutional amendment solidarity submissions at State House. This stood in sharp contrast to the Oasis Forum meeting held behind closed doors on Friday, which continues to fuel opposition questions: Why was one process visible and the other concealed?
The optics now matter as much as the substance.
First, the State House session brought a broad cast of actors rarely seen on the same platform. A consortium of eight CSOs led by Solomon Ngoma of AIPAC arrived with written solidarity submissions. Each speaker repeated one central claim: the Technical Committee received thousands of citizen submissions and the idea that the process lacks consultation “cannot stand on evidence.”
This was a deliberate rebuttal to Oasis Forum’s insistence that the reform lacks legitimacy.
Second, the meeting showed a clear pushback against the perception that Oasis Forum is the default gatekeeper of public sentiment. Ngoma sharpened this point when he said, “In civil society, there is no bigger brother. No organisation is more Zambian than another.”
That line has since gained traction in pro-Bill 7 spaces, especially among groups that feel historically overshadowed by the Catholic-dominated bloc.
Third, the church dimension has now shifted. While the Oasis Forum rallied some catholic clergy in black at Friday’s prayer meeting, other church groups are emerging in the opposite lane. Several pastors, including Adventist clergy highlighted by state media, have endorsed the reform process and publicly questioned the idea that the Catholic voice is the only moral compass. Their argument is simple: “No church is more Zambian than another.”
This theological counterweight is reshaping the narrative.
Fourth, President Hichilema used the livestream to his advantage. He struck conciliatory tones, telling attendees that the Constitution “belongs to the people” and that the goal is to “address long-standing gaps and enhance equity.”
He contrasted dialogue with protest, saying, “Peaceful protest is a right, but sustained dialogue offers greater opportunity for consensus.” Without naming anyone, the message was aimed at the Friday rally.
Fifth, the submissions pointed to a growing divide in civil society. While Oasis Forum claims illegality and rushed timelines, the pro-Bill 7 groups insisted that they attended every provincial consultation, made formal submissions, and participated in the process Oasis Forum now rejects.
As Arthur Muyunda of SACCORD said, “It is surprising to hear that the process is illegitimate from groups that refused to engage yet had representatives on the committee.”
Sixth, the government treated these solidarity submissions as a counter-mandate. Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said the meeting “demonstrates that Zambians have agreed on the need to amend the Constitution.”
He also confirmed that the President will “continue engaging all stakeholders,” signalling a widening circle beyond the Friday bloc.
Seventh, the Technical Committee officially handed its report to the President on the same day. This timing was strategic. By receiving the report in full public view, the administration sent a message: the process is now moving to the next stage.
Opposition actors quickly noted that only the pro-reform meeting was livestreamed, calling it “selective transparency,” but the government is yet to respond.
Eighth, the political undertone was unmistakable. Friday’s prayer rally drew mostly former cabinet ministers, opposition aspirants, and senior PF figures. Their presence convinced many viewers that the gathering leaned elite and partisan.
The State House meeting, on the other hand, featured groups branding themselves as grassroots CSOs, creating the impression that the reform now enjoys broader support outside urban elites.
Ninth, the collision between these two narratives has intensified. Oasis Forum says the process is “illegal,” “stage-managed,” and “restricted.” The government says the Forum approached dialogue with “fixed positions” and “no alternative proposals.”
Supporters of Bill 7 have also questioned why a group claiming to speak for the nation failed to identify even one clause it is willing to negotiate.
Tenth, Zambia is now in a constitutional showdown shaped by optics, rival churches, competing civil society blocs, and the strategic use of visibility.
Monday’s livestream was not simply a meeting. It was a recalibration. A message from State House that the reform will proceed with or without the Friday coalition.
As Zambia waits for Parliament to reconvene, the field is no longer Oasis Forum versus the State.
It is a contest between two legitimacy claims, one rooted in elite activism and the other in widening civic visibility.
© The People’s Brief | Ollus R. Ndomu
Bill 7 is the work of a psychopath. Hitler had many praise singers, but look how badly it ended for him.
“A psychopath is an individual characterized by a lack of empathy and remorse, superficial charm, manipulativeness, and antisocial behavior. While not an official clinical diagnosis, the term is often used to describe people with a severe pattern of callousness and a disregard for others’ feelings or rights. These traits can lead to criminal behavior, cruelty, or other destructive actions, though many individuals with psychopathic traits exist in society and may not always be violent.” – ChatGPT.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
Psychopath Tyrol
HaaIndigo Tyro is a phsychphant. There you are. That was your view. But this is my view. In life, to every action thete is an equal and ppposite reaction. Keep that in mind as you daidaily call others names. Your other fingers definetely point back at you. And so truly not only is that one you call phsycophant but you as well
Vote for UPND and HH to shame the defunct PF as well as their supporters in the likes of Haalndigol Tyrol.Weluu ,most of you will have stress after HH is declared winner in the 2026 general elections next year.
We like too much talking in Zambia, bill7 is okay for this nation. The opposers very soon will start very ashamed as bill 7 takes shape bravo to UPND.
Zambia Forward! Next year’s resounding landslide victory for HH will leave some people permanently bruised. Watch the space!
Ala HH teti bamukwanishe – wakulekafye!
One meeting hidden from the people, the other streamed live.. Hakainde’s Stunts.
With his illegitimate and unconstitutional Bill 7 , Hakainde is thinking he is going somewhere, but only doom awaits him. He is not going anywhere with his illegitimate stunts … even lying that the committee did 2 months work! What a Man!
One Man NGOs some never heard before claiming to represent the people of Zambia..
These are the hopeless Hakainde stunts now he is armed with the so called Report from the Technical Committee.
Where do you go from here Sir?
.Are you going to make this Technical Committee Report public to enable the Zambians study the submissions made by the “people” ?
Will the Ministry of Justice draft a new Bill based on this Report which will replace the Illegitimate and unconstitutional Bill 7?
Will this new Bill as per Law be published in the Government Gazette for 30 days as per Law and made public to enable the public be appraised with it’s content?
Are you going to wake up the illegitimate and unconstitutional Bill 7 , a product of an illegitimate and unconstitutional process as ruled by the Constitutional Court, which was frozen at Committee Stage in Parliament and allow it to proceed with the assumption that the 13 Clauses in the Bill , are exactly the same submissions received from the people by the Technical Committee?
Some one will go to Jail over Bill 7.
You can’t whitewash a product of an Illegal process.Thats Crookedness. You may think you have your day to pop champagne, but some day you will be in the dock ..and Jail will be your destiny..That Orange Uniform your daily company.
Nipano tuli.
Typo. “That Orange Uniform your daily Companion”
You steal a Car from the Vendor’s Show Room, After being caught, you plead with the Police to be allowed to go back to the Vendor’s Show Room and unsteal the car..
Such only happens in Banana Republics..
The pro- bill 7 meeting was extremely marvelous as it had more points or reasons for their support of the bill.Trying to be neutral in my observation, the oasis forum and partners failed to raise remarkable facts to support the withdrawal claims of bill 7. The oasis and their partners just had a screaming headline “withdraw the bill” with little or few lines for the reasons of their thoughts.The Pro bill 7 were more in numbers and spoke ” ikwivocally” otherwise equivocally and made more sense.The demands to table the bill before the Parliament is just too justified.The pro- bill 7 class claimed that a small minority and urban elites want to mislead and make false claims that many Zambians don’t need the bill 7 when in fact not.The pros claimed that the rural dwellers who are the majority needed it like yesterday.From my own personal view the pros sounded mature and responsible than the oasis forum and their partners who wanted to use old techniques of threats .The oasis forum and partners used some dictatorial codes and held the country hostage.The amendment of constitution in the election year can not be stopped as it is not the first time this has happened.Like the failed bill 10 the embattled bill 7 must be subjected to the Parliament too for scrutiny and heavy debate by our capable Parliamentarians.That is the only best known Zambian way of dealing with constitutional matters.The two thirds majority will help us have the answer.
@Muleta
The Pro Bill 7 spoke equivocally??? Which means leaving room for doubt.
Contradicting the flow of your argument. Am Sure you meant unequivocally!
The Oasis Forum meeting was hidden from the public, Hakainde’s meeting with himself was streamed live…
That wasn’t a dialogue. It was a presentation of Hakainde’s thoughts using nondescript one man NGOs…and Mac Donald Chipenzi’s GEARS as the Microphone …to read his written statements.
The question brother Muleta, is what goes to Parliament now? What will Hakainde do with the cooked Report obtained from crookedly obtained data?
The unfolding Crime unfolding before a country!
The unfolding Crime before a country!
One Nkukumama, thanks for correction!You know “unequivocally” word caused laughter in the conversation of the Pro- bill 7.It is a well known word and it’s usage and meaning but the pronounsation was a challenge.They stressed that their argument was clear and devoid of any ambiguities.In this case as it is there is nothing like leaving doubts.They spoke their lungs out.The people want this bill 7 to be tabled before Parliament.Why do you bring the name of Chipenzi? I don’t even think I saw him at State House yesterday.What shall happen is not for State House or Hakainde, but to be taken to Parliament as per submissions from the people of Zambia as you may be aware that a technical committee was formed to collect views from the people physically or electronically and the people did that overwhelmingly.Meaning the consultations were done satisfactorily.I don’t understand your discomfort on the process.You must separate your hate for individuals from this noble cause, the magnificent bill 7.
@muleta
Macdonald Chipenzi is the owner of GEARS…it’s his kantemba.
He relinquished the position as head when he was appointed ECZ Commissioner.. but he is the defacto boss.
All the three , Mwanza’s ZCLU, Muyunda ‘s SACCORD and Chipenzi’s GEARS were part of the Technical Committee!
How about the entity concept narrative.It can’t be applicable in this situation brother NKUKU MAN? I believe the constitution is a very serious law that people know how they can get affected if things are not properly done.No appeasements expected but self choice or concern.