Update: Civil society groups plan 25 November march to defend presidential term limits

A coalition of civil society organisations plans to hold a peaceful procession and public assembly on Wednesday 25 November to defend the Constitution and presidential term limits. In a joint statement dated 3 November, the groups said they have formally notified the Zambia Police Service. The statement was signed by Josiah Kalala of Chapter One Foundation, Leah Mitaba of the Zambia Council for Social Development and Maurice Nyambe of Transparency International Zambia. Other organisations named on its letterhead include ActionAid, Caritas Zambia, the Council of Churches in Zambia, NGOCC and the LCK Freedom Foundation. The groups said citizens exercised their right to peaceful assembly on 27 October when they petitioned the National Assembly to abolish presidential term limits, among other proposals. They said they respect that right despite disagreeing with the petitioners, and intend to use the same freedoms to express the opposite view. Article 106 of the Constitution limits a president to two five-year terms. The groups said Zambia's commitment to that limit is rooted in the struggle to restore multiparty democracy and in campaigns against third-term bids in 2001 and 2021. They also said two separate technical committees recommended keeping the limit in 2025, after public consultations. "If those voices mattered last year, they matter this year," the statement said. The groups described term limits as an important safeguard against the excessive concentration and perpetuation of executive power. "The Constitution belongs to all Zambians," they said. State House has played down the debate. Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka said people should focus on the President's development agenda rather than the third-term question, and that citizens with proposals could take them to the relevant ministries or State House. Party media director Mark Simuuwe said there has never been an official Government position, or a statement from President Hichilema, pr