Zambian bishops express dismay over delay with new constitution

Published: 2007-05-17

LUSAKA, Zambia (CNS) -- Zambia's Catholic bishops have expressed "great dismay" over the government's delay in reviewing and enacting a new constitution. "The people are tired of the slow pace" of the constitutional review process, said the Zambian bishops' conference in a May 16 statement. The bishops urged the government "to desist from excessive legalism" and said that Zambia "can no longer afford the luxury of procrastination, which has characterized the government's approach" to the process. Zambia, where a British-drafted constitution has been used since the former colony's independence in 1964, "is in dire need of an inclusive constitution that will not only stand the test of time but also empower" Zambians to face challenges, they said. The bishops said they are convinced Zambians "have unambiguously made up their minds that they want a new constitution, not mere amendments to the current one." They also said a new constitution must be in place before the 2011 presidential and parliamentary elections.

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