By Jane Chanda
Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) general secretary Fr Emmanuel Chikoya has expressed concern over the rushed constitutional amendment process, citing lack of public consultation and transparency.
And Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) executive director Bishop Andrew Mwenda says the Church agrees with constitutional amendments, but urged the government to reconsider the timing and make the changes after the 2026 general elections.
Speaking at a media briefing by the three Church mother bodies, namely Zambia Conference for Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), and Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), at the Ecumenical Centre in Lusaka today, Fr Chikoya noted that the Church had consistently advocated for a comprehensive review of the constitution, not a piecemeal approach.
“The Church has been vocal on the need for constitutional amendments, but we object to the rushed process,” he said. “We urge the government to address the underlying causes of poverty and ensure sustainable development.”
He also condemned the use of insulting language against the Church, emphasising the need for respectful dialogue.
“We strongly object to the demeaning language used against Church leaders,” Fr Chikoya said.
He reiterated their commitment to speaking truth to power and promoting national unity, saying the needs of Zambians, particularly the vulnerable should be priotised over political interests.
Fr Chikoya expressed concern over the timing of the constitutional amendments, citing the proximity to the general elections and the potential for political manipulation.
“We don’t think there’s enough time to go through the amendments thoroughly,” he said.
Fr Chikoya urged the government to learn from history and avoid repeating past mistakes.
He insisted on the need for deliberate efforts to promote inclusivity, particularly for persons with disabilities.
“God have mercy on us … not that we don’t need the law, but to do a good thing you need to be forced by the law, then there’s something wrong there. So, much as we need the review, it is the issue of timing and the failure to learn from history,” Fr Chikoya said.
He said dialogue meant bringing stakeholders together to discuss issues, as opposed to imposing decisions and assured the nation that they would continue to speak out on issues of national interest, despite attempts to silence them.
“We will not be coerced into speaking at your pace or on your timeline,” said Fr Chikoya. “We desire a conversion of hearts and minds, leading to a united, reconciled, and peaceful Zambia where all citizens freely participate in governance within a thriving social and economic environment.”
And Bishop Mwenda said the Church agreed with the need for constitutional amendments, but disagreed with the rushed process.
“We are for the idea that the constitution must be amended after the elections next year. When we approached government some time back, a year or two ago, and said we need to have constitution amendments, they said there was no budget and there was no money; now they suddenly have money and there’s a budget,” Bishop Mwenda said. “But all in all, the timing is what is not right, I think the President means well, but what is the time needs to be taken care of, the intent is misinterpreted because of the timing part of it; if he said after elections.”
He said the President’s intentions were being misinterpreted due to the timing of the amendments.
Bishop Mwenda also said the Church was not opposing the amendments, but rather the rushed process and urged the government to prioritse the needs of Zambians and ensure that the process was done correctly.
ZCCB general secretary Fr Francis Mukosa said he echoed Fr Chikoya’s sentiments.
