Lungu presses for constitutional amendments

Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Friday said his government would go ahead with proposed constitutional amendments, despite opposition from opposition leaders and civil society groups. Lungu is facing mounting complaints that he is cracking down on dissent and seeking to consolidate power with reforms that weaken Parliament. A report on the News24 site notes that the amendments will remove Parliament's oversight over debt, Cabinet appointments and the formation of a coalition when a candidate fails to win a simple majority in an election. ‘We braved the storm to deliver the constitution and we mean every word we say. Support the current process,’ said Lungu, adding that ‘it you don't want to refine it, we will refine it’.