Zambia is currently embroiled in a significant national debate surrounding proposed constitutional amendments, embodied in Bill 7. Despite appearing to offer progressive changes such as the expansion of parliamentary seats, the introduction of proportional representation for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, revised nomination and by-election procedures, tweaks to nominated Members of Parliament, and term harmonization, the Bill has ignited widespread concern over its process and legitimacy.

Critics argue that while the individual proposals might seem benign, the manner in which Bill 7 has been advanced undermines the spirit of constitutional reform. Several leading institutions, including the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB), Civil Society Constitution Agenda (CiSCA), Allied NGOs like ActionAid Zambia, and the Oasis Forum, have refused to participate in the government's committee tasked with gathering nationwide submissions. This refusal is not apathy but a strong protest, signaling a belief that the process is not worthy of the Constitution it seeks to amend.

The core objections leveled against Bill 7 include the perception of a predetermined outcome, rushed and narrow consultations making meaningful public engagement difficult, and the avoidance of deeper structural reforms by labeling changes as 'non-contentious'. There is also a significant risk of politicization, with amendments seen as timed to serve electoral strategies rather than national interest. Many draw parallels to the failed Bill 10, which was rejected due to its opaque, partisan, and elite-driven nature, highlighting a recurring deficit of trust in the reform process.

Against this backdrop, the Oasis Forum has intensified its campaign against Bill 7, accusing it of being rushed, non-inclusive, and election-centered, and sidelining citizens. On November 10, 2025, the Forum notified the Inspector General of Police of its intention to hold a mass march from Freedom Statute to State House on Friday, November 28, 2025, after the Lusaka Province Commissioner refused to receive the notification. This march is part of a broader strategy that includes a court petition filed in the Constitutional Court, an open letter to the President delivered on November 11, 2025, a 'Black Friday' campaign involving honking and displaying black ribbons and car disks, lobbying Parliament by writing to every MP to reject Bill 7, and a public petition for citizens to sign.

The opposition gained significant religious backing when Catholic Archbishop Ignatius Chama of the Kasama Archdiocese openly endorsed the Oasis Forum's stance. Speaking on Radio Lutanda's Ishiwi lyakwa Kacema programme, Archbishop Chama described the proposed amendments as a 'potentially dangerous erosion of constitutional safeguards' and urged Zambian Christians to join the planned peaceful demonstration, framing it as 'not a mere political act but a sacred civic duty embedded in Christian ethos and constitutional fidelity'. He emphasized that the Constitution is a covenant between the state and its people, which, if manipulated, demands citizens and the faithful to rise in peaceful protest.

In response, Information Minister Cornelius Mweetwa called for dialogue on national matters, stating that President Hakainde Hichilema remained open to engagement. Mweetwa urged civil society organizations and the Church to engage government rather than incite street demonstrations, warning that such gatherings could threaten national peace and unity, especially during the run-up to the 2026 general election. He asserted that the government had established a Constitutional Technical Committee to ensure the process reflected views from across the country, citing the defeat of the controversial Bill 10 through dialogue in Parliament as a precedent for resolving constitutional matters without confrontation.

The Zambia Police Service also issued warnings, with Spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi stating that no gathering would be allowed to proceed if it risked public safety, obstructed essential services, or endangered uninvolved members of the public. Chilabi urged the Oasis Forum and other organizers to engage police through established channels to ensure appropriate security arrangements where permissible. He cautioned that unlawful assemblies, acts of provocation, or conduct inciting violence would be met with firm but lawful action, while reaffirming the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, association, and expression, provided it adheres to the Public Order Act and other relevant legislation.

President Hakainde Hichilema further weighed in on the escalating tensions, announcing a press briefing to address the 'resurgence of violent activities' and the need for 'responsible national leadership' ahead of the 2026 polls. Speaking at the Evangelical Church of Zambia (EFZ) Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the President implicitly criticized clergy advocating protests, urging Church elders to champion dialogue as the primary tool for resolving disputes and to model restraint and responsibility. He warned against the country reverting to a toxic political culture characterized by violence in public spaces and the spread of inflammatory content on social media, emphasizing that those with influence must exercise it carefully in this sensitive pre-election period.

The standoff between the government's call for dialogue and the civil society's insistence on street action sets the stage for a potentially tense period. As the country watches closely, the battle over Bill 7 has moved beyond committee rooms to the public arena, making this constitutional moment one of the defining battles ahead of the 2026 elections in Zambia.