16 Opposition Parties Warn PF over Constitution Sixteen opposition political parties have warned government over the continued delay on the constitution making process. Group spokesperson Javan Kamanga said it was strange that government was insisting on a cabinet memorandum before progress was made when the initial roadmap according to the terms of reference was clear. On Wednesday acting leader of government business in parliament Edgar Lungu issued a terse but hollow ministerial statement on the constitution that only served to underscore government’s desire to further delay the process. Lungu said cabinet will discuss the way forward on the draft constitution at an appropriate time but did not give an indication how soon. But opposition political parties have said they will not tolerate any further delays in the process. Their previous attempts to meet President Michael Sata and dialogue of the lengthy process have been unheeded. “We are surprised at these tactics by government on the constitution because there was no talk of cabinet first discussing a memorandum. The process was for the draft constitution to be released to the public and the President simultaneously,” Kamanga. “This is just another delaying tactic by the Patriotic Front government and we would like to state that the people will no longer tolerate these delays.” The PF has emerged as the greatest obstacle to a new constitution after having forcefully demanded for it during their days of campaigning for power. To cement the turnaround President Michael Sata has gone on record branding those calling for a new constitution as yappers. zambiareports/2014/07/25/16-opposition-parties-warn-pf-constitution/
Posted on: Fri, 25 Jul 2014 07:57:24 +0000