Hichilema urged to speed up security sector reforms bordering on public gathering bill

The Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has called on President Hakainde Hichilema to ensure that all necessary reforms that seek to make Zambia a better place for all are enacted without delays.

SACCORD Board Member, Humphrey Elekani, said this included the proposal to put in place the Public Gatherings Bill, which progress had already been made from the current Public Order Act (POA), into law.

Elekani said this during SACCORD’s engagement of capacity building for various stakeholders on Security Sector Reform in Lusaka on Tuesday.

He further appealed to the President to continue on the path of reform as this was the only way to strengthen and consolidate Zambia’s democracy.

“This will improve the rule of law, promote peace and security and enhance the observance, promotion and protection of human rights in Zambia and the Southern African region,” Elekani said.

He said the current positive environment owes much credit to the political leadership of the country as exemplified on many occasions by sentiments of Hichilema and his deputies that the country and some of its institutions need reform.

“The proactive nature of CSOs in the reform agenda of the nation has encouraged and motivated several international and co-operating partners to come on board and support reform efforts in the Republic of Zambia,” Elekani said.

He said SACCORD had taken note of the draft Public Gatherings Bill but bemoan the amount of time that this was taking to be actualized into law.

Elekani said Zambia had a structural problem where the peace, governance and democratic dispensation of the country was concerned.

“As such, we must not relent in demanding for these structural reforms whose ultimate goal is to grant this country a better environment for all,” he said.

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