Oasis Forum Launches Coalition to Oppose Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7

The Oasis Forum has launched Coalition Against Bill 7, aiming to oppose the current reform process and highlight it as narrow, non-inclusive and election centred. The Forum urges the government to listen to the voice of their people by withdrawing Constitutional Amendment Bill No 7 of 2025.

Addressing the media on Monday, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) Executive Director Bishop Andrew Mwenda read a statement explaining that the campaign will focus on activism against Bill. This will include public engagements, community awareness campaigns and countrywide peaceful demonstrations against the Bill.

“Through the crusade, we hope to persuade Government not to proceed with the current constitutional reform process and immediately withdraw the Bill”, Bishop Mwenda said, “We are calling on civil society organisations, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations and all well-meaning citizens to join the crusade against Bill 7”.

The Oasis Forum urges the government to not proceed with the reform of the Constitution of Zambia without citizens’ participation, inclusivity and consensus. Mwenda highlights that the Forum, which is a consortium comprising the church, civil society and the legal profession, will officially launch a nationwide awareness and education campaign.

The Forum also disagreed with Justice Minister Princess Kasune’s statement that Zambia will lose out without the success of Bill 7. “In fact, the contrary is true, very little good will come off this process,” Mwenda notes.

Law Association of Zambia president Lungisani Zulu emphasises that the Forum is engaging with government to demonstrate that its possible and not too late to rethink the introduction of the bill. However, he warns that legal action may be necessary.