By Angela Moonga
A consortium of opposition political parties have written to President Hakainde Hichilema stating that they are disturbed by his reckless claim that those opposed to this non-inclusive, rushed and politically-engineered constitution amendment process hate him because of his tribe.
And the opposition leaders have asked Presidents Hakainde Hichilema to abandon the divisive and confrontational approach he has taken on the Constitutional amendment process.
Meanwhile, the opposition leaders have urged the President to withdraw the Bill 7 process until genuine, inclusive national dialogue is secured after the elections.
In a letter dated December 2, 2025, the 11 opposition political parties stated that their message was motivated by an alarming and growing national sentiment, echoed by faith leaders and the civil society, that “something is wrong in the way we are living as a nation,” where division and anger were slowly replacing cherished unity and oneness.
“Mr. President, we are particularly disturbed by your reckless claim that those opposed to this non-inclusive, rushed and politically-engineered constitution amendment process hate you because of your tribe. Such a statement is unfortunate, dangerous and unbecoming of one who holds the highest office in the land. It is an attempt to weaponize regional sentiment and sow seeds of tribal mistrust for personal political gain. Zambia does not belong to any tribe or region, it belongs to all of us,” they stated.
They stated that the letter served as a formal reprimand and an urgent appeal regarding President Hichilema’s administration’s conduct in pursuing constitutional amendments and exercising executive authority.
“We are compelled to remind you of the foundational principles upon which our peaceful nation was built and to alert you to the dangerous path of division you are currently navigating. At every turn when you speak to the people regarding the constitution, you have opted to use the language that is divisive rather than that which seeks to unite the nation,” the opposition leaders write to President Hichilema.
They stated that a true leader sought to unite, not divide.
They stated that the process surrounding the proposed constitutional amendments Bill No. 7 had been characterized by language and actions that were deeply divisive.
The opposition leaders stated that leadership demanded rising above partisan rhetoric to apply fairness, compassion, and common sense.
They urged him to immediately cease any communication that fanned the flames of ethnic or political discord and to embrace a language of national cohesion, love and reconciliation.
“Your posture thus far is to perceive anyone opposed to the amendment as your enemy. In essence, your actions surrounding Bill 7 constitute a real and immediate threat to national peace, security, unity and social cohesion. Instead of healing the country, you have opted to divide it. Instead of building consensus, you are seeking to bulldoze and beat everyone into submission. Instead of strengthening democracy, you are eroding it,” they stated.
They stated that in his selfish pursuit to see Bill 7 through by any means possible, he had exposed himself to the point of having his hypocrisy laid bare for all to see.
The opposition stated that the Oasis Forum he was seeking to demonize and humiliate through his surrogate institutions and gutter media outfits was the very Oasis Forum he walked shoulder to shoulder with in fighting Bill 10 that was a much better crafted Bill and was not meant to give the PF a lifeline as was the case with Bill 7.
“The conduct displayed by your guests on Monday December, 1 2025 during the so-called Courtesy Call Meeting on Consultations for the Constitutional Review at State House is a clear manifestation of your mindset over this matter: chaotic, patronizing, divisive and insulting to say the least. You clearly gave your guests enough protection to use State House to insult the wisdom and integrity of the Oasis Forum, its membership and the Catholic Bishops,” read the statement in part.
“We would like to remind you that it is the same Oasis Forum you are insulting today that stood by you in rejecting Bill 10 in 2021 and at that time you showered them with praises as it suited your intentions.”
They stated that President Hichilema’s inconsistency had revealed to
Them a leadership that was more interested in convenient alliances than principled governance.
The opposition leaders also stated that the Church in Zambia was a cornerstone of moral and social fabric, adding that it was not a political opponent to be vanquished.
They stated that the collective voice of church leaders from the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), the Council of Churches in Zambia, and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia had unequivocally called for the withdrawal of Bill 7, citing the outcome of the ConCourt ruling that ruled against the said bill as lacking consensus and the very spirit of constitution making.
“They have equally questioned the urgency of seeking to this constitution to the 2026 election cycle opting instead to allow for a more inclusive people driven process. Demeaning these institutions and dismissing their concerns—as some of your supporters have done by labeling bishops as “tribalists”—is an affront to a vast section of the Zambian populace and risks creating a painful and unnecessary rift within the body of Christ. The Church must remain a beacon of hope and dialogue,” stated opposition leaders.
“Let it be placed on record that it is the same Catholic Church that stood by you when you were incarcerated and charged with treason. For you to now permit attacks on the Church is hypocritical, disrespectful, and a betrayal of the moral voice of our nation.”
They stated that the President’s actions had reminded them of the prescient words of Zambia’s founding father, Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, who warned the nation of the risk the nation faced if the presidency was to be in his hands.
” We are sure you recall that he was very emphatic that anyone was better placed to lead this nation except one person who he feared would divide the country, and that’s – You. It is sad to witness that warning fast materialising and becoming a reality before our own eyes. The nation is boiling. The perception that your government is becoming increasingly intolerant to dissent and embracing intimidating tactics against the opposition, and eroding institutional independence is quite widespread,” they stayed.
The opposition leaders stated that actions such as the suspension of Constitutional Court judges and the weaponization of laws like the Public Order Act were not signs of strength but of fragility, and they were tearing social fabric apart.
“We would like to call upon you to reflect as to how you would like your legacy to be remembered when you leave office next year – a man who stood against all odds and united the nation or a man who threw everything to the wind and brought about division, tribal intolerance and regionalism,” they stated.
“We, therefore, call upon the United Nations, the African Union (AU) Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU), and all international partners committed to democracy to pay close attention to the deteriorating political and social environment in Zambia. Do not wait until there is bloodletting before you act.”
They stated that preventive diplomacy and clear support for inclusive dialogue were required now.
The opposition leaders stated that the international community played a crucial role in ensuring a peaceful transfer of power in 2021; adding that that vigilance must not wane.
“We, therefore, call upon you to take keen interest in Mr. Hichilema’s divisive conduct, which points to a worrying departure from democratic governance towards intolerance and authoritarian tendencies. This is not the democracy we fought for in 1991 and it is certainly not the unity we pledged to uphold,” they stated.
They stated that the the ultimate power the President wield was not to amend a constitution by force of will, but to steward the peace and unity of our nation.
They stated that the prayer of Zambians today was for a dialogue that promoted “a people who do justice, who love goodness, and who walk humbly with their God.
They stated that they expected immediate and public commitment to de-escalation, genuine national dialogue, and a leadership style that heals rather than wounds.
They also demanded that the President respects the Church, Civil Society and all stakeholders who speak for the voiceless as well as take responsibility for the rising political and tribal tensions and take steps toward national healing.
“As opposition political parties, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with the Oasis Forum as they seek to speak for the Zambian citizens and defend our democracy, our Constitution, and our national unity,” the opposition leaders stated.
The opposition leaders that signed the letter include Harry Kalaba leader of
Citizens First (CF), Dr Fred M’membe leader of Socialist Party (SP), ULP leader Sakwiba Sikota, PF acting president Given Lubinda, New Heritage party leader Chishala Kateka and PAC leader Andyford Banda.
Others were James Thindwa NAREP, Exilda Mwenya, NED, Bishop Trevor Mwamba UNIP, Wright Musona Zambia Republican party and Kapembwa Simbao of Zambia We Want.
The letter was also copied to the Secretary-General,United Nations
The Secretary General – United Nations
The Chairperson, African Union Commission, The Executive Secretary, Southern African Development Community (SADC), The Executive Director – Oasis Forum
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops(ZCCB),The Council of Churches in Zambia and The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia.
