Zambian Christian leaders call for adoption of draft constitution

Published: 2005-07-11

LUSAKA, Zambia (CNS) -- While applauding the authors of Zambia's draft constitution on "a job well done," Zambia's Christian leaders urged President Levy Mwanawasa not to tamper with its key provisions. "What matters most now" is that the government immediately passes legislation that will lead to a constituent assembly that will adopt the constitution, Zambia's Catholic bishops, Council of Churches and Evangelical Fellowship said in a joint statement from the capital, Lusaka. A 41-member commission was appointed by Mwanawasa in April 2004 to draft a new constitution after assessing submissions from Zambian citizens and other interested parties. This is the country's fourth attempt to produce a widely accepted constitution since gaining independence from Britain in 1964.

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