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Nevers Mumba

LUSAKA. — Zambia’s main opposition leader yesterday called on citizens in the southern African nation to take to the streets to force the government to provide a clear roadmap on the constitution-making process. Nevers Mumba, leader of the main opposition Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), said demands for the release of the draft constitution should not be left to lawmakers only but that all citizens should join in.

The opposition leader, who was speaking during a press briefing at the party secretariat in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, said street protests are the only solution that will force the government to release the draft constitution after refusing to heed to various calls.

The opposition leader said all stakeholders in the country should join hands and embark on countrywide demonstrations in order to force the government to release the draft constitution. “This is the time that all of us must be prepared to hold hands and fight this government to deliver on this promise. It is our responsibility to demonstrate. If Ukraine did it, we can do it,” he said.

Opposition lawmakers disrupted parliamentary proceedings on Wednesday and Thursday when they refused to debate any another matter until the government produces a roadmap on the country’s constitution making process, forcing the Speaker of the National Assembly to suspend parliament proceedings.

Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini has since directed the government to provide a clear road map on the country’s constitution-making process on Tuesday next week. This was after a caucus meeting held between representatives of the government and opposition lawmakers. The speaker was forced to suspend parliamentary business on Wednesday and Thursday when opposition lawmakers refused to budge on their demands for a road map on the constitution making process. — Xinhua.