“Say You Will Not Seek A Third Term” — M’membe Challenges Hichilema

Socialist Party President Fred M’membe has challenged President Hakainde Hichilema to publicly rule out seeking a third presidential term, warning that Zambia must defend its constitutional presidential term limits before any attempt is made to amend them.

In a statement issued on Monday, November 2, M’membe said he had delivered a letter to the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), urging lawyers to mobilise against any attempt to remove the two-term presidential limit under Article 106 of the Constitution.

He cited a recent petition by a youth group calling for the removal of presidential term limits as evidence of growing pressure for constitutional change.

M’membe recalled the 2001 campaign that prevented former President Frederick Chiluba from seeking a third term, when lawyers, churches, civil society organisations and citizens united under the Oasis Forum.

He has asked LAZ to convene an extraordinary general meeting, engage church bodies and women's organisations, and publicly declare its position on presidential term limits.

He also called for any proposed change to the President's tenure to be subjected to a national referendum.

The opposition leader said he had previously challenged Hichilema to make a clear commitment not to seek or accept another term and was still awaiting a response. He also urged Members of Parliament to declare their positions before any proposed amendment is introduced.

Although M’membe believes preparations for a possible third-term bid are emerging, no formal proposal to amend the presidential term limit has been established in the statement.