The contentious Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025 has ignited significant national debate, culminating in a prolonged dialogue between the government, led by President Hakainde Hichilema, and the civil society coalition, the Oasis Forum. This engagement, held at State House in Lusaka on Friday, November 28, 2025, followed a prayer rally where church leaders and opposition figures initially gathered, planning a public protest against the bill. However, the protest was postponed to facilitate direct discussions with the Head of State.

Oasis Forum Chairperson, Beauty Katebe, delivered a firm statement following the seven-hour consultative meeting, reiterating the Forum’s demand for the complete withdrawal of Bill 7. Katebe stressed the urgent need to redirect national attention towards the long-neglected Bill of Rights, advocating for a fresh, inclusive, and properly safeguarded constitutional review process. She sharply criticized the government's amendment process as lacking transparency and proper legal foundation, noting that women's groups, in particular, felt marginalized, leading to public protests. Katebe underscored that the Constitution is a national covenant, not a partisan trophy, and reminded President Hichilema of his own past struggles for freedoms and accountability, urging him to draw upon that experience to guide the current process. The Forum's message remains clear: the process must be corrected, the bill must be withdrawn, and future discussions will be streamlined with reduced representation from both sides to ensure more focused and manageable dialogue.

In response, President Hakainde Hichilema described the engagement as "productive," emphasizing his administration's commitment to open dialogue as an essential tool for resolving national challenges. He acknowledged Zambia’s diversity and the natural occurrence of differing opinions in a democratic society, cautioning against allowing the constitutional review process to become a source of division. President Hichilema reiterated that all reforms pursued by his administration aim to improve the wellbeing of Zambians and ensure equitable resource distribution. He expressed gratitude to the Oasis Forum leadership, particularly Archbishop Ignatius Chama, for honoring the invitation to engage in meaningful dialogue, welcoming their willingness to continue discussions.

The path to this dialogue was not without internal challenges. Attempts by Archbishop Alick Banda, in concert with Fr. Harrison Mulenga, to persuade the Oasis Forum to reject its scheduled engagement with President Hichilema at State House failed. Archbishop Banda, reportedly lobbying behind the scenes, insisted on a neutral venue, an effort that intensified after the Forum confirmed its readiness to dialogue. Insiders attribute Banda's opposition to his longstanding closeness to the late President Edgar Lungu and his reluctance to visit State House under the current administration. Fr. Mulenga, based in South Africa, is believed to have circulated messages urging the Forum to shun State House, claiming it would limit free speech. However, these efforts did not gain traction, and the Forum proceeded with the meeting, signalling a refusal to be drawn into partisan agendas. Critics have renewed concerns about the Archbishop's involvement in partisan political manoeuvres, suggesting these efforts might be part of a broader strategy to position a particular political figure as the next Patriotic Front President.

Adding another layer to the national discourse, the New Heritage Party, led by Chishala Kateka, vehemently criticized President Hichilema’s call for dialogue, labeling it as opportunistic and cynical. The party argued that the move was a clear attempt to distract from real issues and undermine legitimate public concerns, especially given the President’s perceived history of ignoring calls for meaningful dialogue from opposition parties and individual citizens on critical national issues. The New Heritage Party accused the President of selectively engaging with "friendly organizations" while neglecting genuine voices of dissent, interpreting the scheduling of the meeting on the day of the planned protest as an attempt to disrupt and divide. They demanded genuine dialogue with all stakeholders, including opposition parties and civil society, on Bill 7 and other critical issues.

The initial prayer rally at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus, organized by the Oasis Forum and the Church mother body, saw prominent figures, including former Cabinet Ministers like Jean Kapata, Professor Nkandu Luo, and Godfridah Sumaili, alongside presidential hopefuls such as Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, Harry Kalaba, and Makebi Zulu, dressed in black. During the service, Kasama Catholic Archbishop Ignatius Chama called on Zambians to pray for the success of the dialogue, emphasizing the need for unity, peace, justice, goodness, and humility in national laws and public life. He urged citizens to seek divine guidance, rather than succumbing to confusion or conflict. Former PF Deputy Secretary General, Mumbi Phiri, questioned President Hichilema's legacy, expressing sadness over perceived threats against peaceful protestors. Despite the varied reactions and behind-the-scenes machinations, the Oasis Forum's steadfast commitment to principle over partisanship underscores a critical moment for constitutional reform in Zambia, with the coming days expected to reveal the government's readiness for the demanded reset.