Zambia’s Democracy Must Be Protected, Not Manipulated – Mushimba Warns Against Removal of Term Limits

By Pauline Ngozoh

Opposition for Peace and Progress (OPP) Party President Eng. Dr. Brian Mushimba has cautioned against any attempts to remove presidential term limits, stating that Zambia’s democracy is not a personal possession to be altered for political advantage.

Dr. Mushimba said Zambia’s democratic system was achieved through sacrifice, persecution and personal hardship, and was established to ensure that no individual or political party would have a permanent claim to power. He noted that while democratic institutions have never been perfect and remain susceptible to manipulation, what has preserved Zambia’s democracy over the years has been the restraint and political maturity of leaders who understood their mandate was to protect the order, not manipulate it.

He said presidential term limits are a constitutional safeguard against the concentration and perpetuation of power and serve as a reminder that public office is temporary. Dr. Mushimba expressed disappointment that elements within the ruling UPND, who while in opposition opposed tampering with constitutional safeguards, are now entertaining the removal of term limits.

He argued that leadership requires integrity to uphold principles even when they become politically inconvenient, and warned against normalising conversations about altering the Constitution to suit the ambitions of a sitting President.

Dr. Mushimba stated that the UPND will not govern forever and will one day be in opposition, and that the precedents it sets now will become the rules for future governments. He has since called upon President Hakainde Hichilema, the UPND leadership, Members of Parliament and all Zambians to reject any proposal to remove term limits.

He emphasized that the current generation has a responsibility to hand over a stronger democracy to the next generation, stressing that Zambia belongs to its people and that two terms are enough for any President.