SACCORD Relieved By Constitution Amendment Halt

SACCORD has welcomed the directive by the Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to the Minister of Justice Hon. Given Lubinda to move the constitution amendment process to September to allow for the dialogue process.

Reacting to the yesterdays directive by the president to have the amendments to the constitution halted so as not to undermine the dialogue process Executive Director Boniface Chembe said the directive was welcome as some stakeholders had raised concerns over the timing of constitutional reforms.

Cheembe observed that the directive by the President’s is an indication that there are efforts being made to take on boars concerns from various stakeholders.

“This directive comes against a background where some stakeholders in the national dialogue process had raised some concerns over the timing of the constitution amendment. The President directive is an indication that there are efforts being made to take on board concerns arising from various stakeholders on the national dialogue process.

“In addition, the directive also gives stakeholders extra time for them to consider making additional suggestions on that which needs to be done to perfect the amended constitution,” he said.

He also expressed gratitude that the President was committing to dialogue without any conditions.

“It is also encouraging to note that the President has committed himself to unconditional dialogue which is important as this will assist stakeholders to plan accordingly on how to address the matters of concern to the nation. The national dialogue process is now on course and it is important that all stakeholders continue to be engaged whether foreign or domestic,” Cheembe said.

Cheembe also expressed happiness at the President’s insistence for dialogue to be led by local institutions.

He said stakeholders with issues as regards to ZCID capacity should open up and identify their areas of concern so that they can be worked on to ensure that the process is accepted by all stakeholders.

President Lungu on Thursday directed Justice Minister Given Lubinda to halt the constitution amendments process so as not undermine the dialogue process.