COF Zambia: Urges Hichilema to Uphold Presidential Term Limit

• Chapter One Foundation (COF) has urged Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema to commit to upholding presidential term limits.
• COF Executive Director Josiah Kalala stated that removing term limits would contradict the UPND's past opposition to former President Edgar Lungu seeking another term.
• The foundation emphasizes that the UPND, now in power, previously opposed efforts to extend presidential tenure.
• COF views a commitment to term limits as crucial for democratic governance and constitutional integrity in Zambia.

A clear and unequivocal commitment from President Hakainde Hichilema on this matter would significantly bolster public confidence in the constitutional framework and demonstrate an unwavering dedication to democratic norms within the country.

Chapter One Foundation (COF), a prominent civil society organization in Zambia, has issued a direct appeal to President Hakainde Hichilema, urging him to publicly commit to upholding the constitutional provisions that establish presidential term limits. This call emphasizes the fundamental importance of the Head of State's adherence to these democratic principles, which are crucial for the stability and integrity of the nation's political system. The foundation's proactive stance reflects a broader concern for safeguarding Zambia's constitutional framework against potential future alterations.

Josiah Kalala, who serves as the Executive Director for COF, articulated this specific demand, stressing the imperative for the current administration to maintain and respect existing legal structures. The appeal is designed to elicit a clear assurance from President Hichilema that his government will not pursue any legislative or constitutional changes aimed at removing or extending the stipulated presidential tenure. This initiative by COF aims to reinforce democratic norms and prevent any erosion of established checks on executive power, thereby contributing to robust Zambia constitutional law.

The foundation's plea is significantly informed by recent Zambian political history, particularly referencing the strong opposition previously mounted by the United Party for National Development (UPND) against attempts to circumvent term limits. COF specifically recalled that the UPND, now the ruling party under President Hichilema, had vocally and actively opposed former President Edgar Lungu's endeavors to secure an additional term in office. This historical precedent forms a cornerstone of COF's argument for consistency in political conduct.

From COF's perspective, any future action by the UPND government to abolish or modify the presidential term limit would represent a profound contradiction of its own previously held principles and public advocacy. The organization contends that such a move would directly undermine the very democratic values and constitutionalism that the party championed while it was in opposition. This framing positions the current call as a critical test of the UPND's commitment to its stated ideals regarding governance and its respect for the rule of law, directly addressing the UPND term limit stance.

Presidential term limits are widely recognized as a vital component of democratic governance, serving to prevent the entrenchment of power and facilitate orderly, peaceful transitions of leadership. COF's intervention underscores the critical role these constitutional provisions play in protecting Zambia's nascent democratic institutions and ensuring a healthy political environment. Upholding these limits is seen as indispensable for fostering governmental accountability and ensuring that political authority remains subject to regular electoral mandates, thereby addressing key Zambia governance issues.

A clear and unequivocal commitment from President Hakainde Hichilema on this matter would significantly bolster public confidence in the constitutional framework and demonstrate an unwavering dedication to democratic norms within the country. Conversely, any perceived ambiguity or movement towards altering these limits could generate considerable concern regarding the future direction of Zambia's political system and its adherence to established legal and constitutional principles. This issue is paramount for the long-term health of Zambian democracy.

Source: Original reporting via Zambian civil society reporting