MNR Statement on the Ongoing Constitutional Amendment Process

Many well-meaning citizens, including respected royal establishments, have voiced their concerns over the ongoing constitutional amendment process. The issue is not reform itself. The issue is timing, priority, and the lack of implementation of what is already written.

Before any amendment process, Zambia needs to implement the following aspects of the Constitution:

(a) Article 60(4) - 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 
Without this, money from unknown or foreign sources can influence our politics and have a stake in our Republic. Zambia cannot afford captured leadership.

(b) Article 118(2) - 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 
Citizens cannot trust the justice system if appointments lack transparency or if courts are underfunded. Justice delayed becomes justice denied.

(c) Article 173 - 𝐄𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 
When public offices are filled through loyalty instead of competence, service delivery collapses and the people suffer.

(d) Article 259 - 𝐄𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬
Every province deserves equal opportunity. Without this, governance becomes uneven and whole regions feel excluded from national progress.

(e) Article 216 - 𝐄𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬
Ethical leadership is not optional. It is the foundation of public trust and stability.

(f) Articles 263 - 267 - 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬
Without accountability, corruption thrives in silence. Asset declarations bring transparency and prevent unexplained wealth.

(g) Articles 253 to 257 - 𝐄𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬
Provinces that generate billions in mineral wealth should not remain in rural conditions. When the people who power the economy live without proper roads, hospitals, schools, or jobs, the system is fundamentally unjust. True development must reflect the contribution each province makes.

Implementation must come first. Amendments can only follow once what already exists is honoured.

Watch the full address on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/lW-_Hb_vRBM?si=Q4ZbdoL_1-Uoa2p2