PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated that the government is open to dialogue with the Citizens and stakeholders in the governance and legislative processes.

President Hichilema stated that the government acknowledges it is not possible for the public to agree with all of government decisions but with dialogue a consensus can be reached that benefits everyone. 

Speaking when a delegation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) called on him at State House today,  the President alluded to the dialogue held by government and stakeholders in the formulation process of the mining Bill as the government’s show of commitment to dialogue in protecting the interests of the Citizens. 

The Head of State also shared that it is through dialogue with stakeholders that the government was able to institute a forensic audit of the Ministry of Health, for which results are expected by the end of December 2024.

Earlier, leader of the delegation Annie Anamela asserted that the CSOs have concerns with some provisions of the proposed Cyber Crime Bill which was presented to Parliament last month.

Ms. Anamela highlighted that while the motive of the government to protect cyberspace is appreciated, the Bill does not seem to provide protection for legitimate online and offline space use and could potentially infringe on human rights.

Ms. Anamela who is also Non-Governmental Organizations Coordinating Council NGOCC Executive Director added that the restrictions proposed in the Bill could potentially affect democracy and good governance in its implementation. 

She disclosed that the CSOs are proposing a provision of constitutionality assessment mechanism that will enable all draft Bills before submission to Parliament. 

Ms. Anamela,also shared that the CSOs propose the formulation of a framework for effective engagement with CSOs and citizens in the legislative formulation process to foster trust, inclusiveness and transparency. 

And Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Jack Mwiimbu added that the government called for a meeting with the CSOs to discuss concerns they have been raising over the Bill because of its commitment to engage with stakeholders on matters of concern.