‘Sincerity would be judged by action,’ Civil society groups task Hichilema to be transparent on call for political dialogue

Some civil society groups have expressed differing views on President Hakainde Hichilema’s call for political dialogue which was made during the funeral of opposition leader, Edith Nawakwi.

Chapter One Foundation (COF), through its Executive Director, Josiahs Kalala, welcomed the call for dialogue saying political leaders must seize the moment to prioritize national interest over partisan or personal agendas

“Dialogue is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy and is especially critical to advancing constitutional reforms that reflect the will of the people,” Kalala told Zambia Monitor in an Interview in Lusaka on Saturday.

He noted that calls for dialogue should have preceded the proposed constitutional review process, stressing that an inclusive national conversation is essential to address longstanding governance challenges, strengthen institutions, and ensure Zambia’s constitution reflects the aspirations of all citizens.

“Without transparent and participatory dialogue, reforms risk being perceived as illegitimate or exclusionary, undermining public trust and national cohesion,” Kalala said.

While acknowledging the President’s remarks, Kalala emphasized that sincerity would be judged by action, not rhetoric.

“We call on the President to urgently operationalize these commitments by establishing clear, transparent mechanisms for inclusive engagement involving civil society, opposition parties, and citizens,” he added.

Similarly, Acton Institute for Policy Analysis Centre Executive Director Solomon Ngoma said President Hichilema’s appeal demonstrated a commitment to unity and cooperation among political leaders.

Ngoma said the appeal was consistent with earlier efforts, including the President’s address to Parliament on February 28, 2025, and meetings with Church mother bodies and other stakeholders.

“We believe the President’s statement is genuine. While it’s difficult to definitively assess the full intentions of the UPND leadership, some factors suggest a positive approach,” Ngoma stated.

However, Democratic National Party (DNP) president Sydney Chiyaba dismissed the call as a political ploy to mislead the public.

“This is an attempt to give the impression that the ruling party is ready for dialogue, when in fact it has failed to show any such willingness since taking office,” Chiyaba said.

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