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The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has called on the government to defer constitutional amendments until after the 2026 general elections, citing insufficient time to build the necessary consensus for the process.
In a pastoral letter dated November 15, ZCCB President Archbishop, Ignatius Chama, highlighted the absence of an agreed roadmap for the constitutional review and the urgency of electoral reforms ahead of the polls.
“Electoral reforms are critical for a developing democracy like Zambia,” Chama stated.
“However, with only 19 months remaining before the elections, we invite the government to reflect on the prudence of proceeding with this exercise to avoid perceptions of bias toward the ruling party.”
The letter also addressed concerns over Zambia’s judiciary, with Archbishop Chama urging Chief Justice Mumba Malila to expedite pending cases, including unresolved intra-party disputes involving the opposition Patriotic Front (PF).
“A loss of public faith in the judiciary is a recipe for chaos and lawlessness,” Chama warned, criticizing controversial judge dismissals and delays in adjudicating cases.
He proposed legislative amendments to strengthen the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC) and Judicial Service Commission (JSC), including transparent appointment processes and parliamentary confirmation of commissioners by a two-thirds majority.
“These changes would enhance the independence and quality of our justice system,” Chama asserted.
The pastoral letter underscored the ZCCB’s ongoing advocacy for institutional reforms to safeguard Zambia’s democracy and governance.
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