This paper examines the underlying motive why Zambia’s ruling Party, Patriotic Front (PF) sponsored amending the Zambia Constitution through the now defunct Bill 10. Amidst a raft of sixteen amendments to the Constitution, was a Trojan Horse meant to give the President more power? The opposing United Party for National Development (UNPD) smelled a rat. Coming close to the 2021 General Elections it was feared that Bill 10 would allow the incumbent to run for an unconstitutional Third Term.
This essay argues that the real master stroke, which the opposition must have unmasked was to present the Constitution amendment in the manner of the Emperor’s new suit — a wolf in the sheep’s clothing of Zambia as a Christian Nation. Objective number one of Bill 10 is listed as, to “revise the Preamble in order to reaffirm the Christian character of Zambia.” Right there was the Trojan Horse in plain sight which since 29 December 1991 has been used to pull the wool over the Zambian people. The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops has been opposed to this declaration from its inception, precisely for one main reason: its potential to abuse religion for nefarious political ends when religion meets politics. Thankfully, Bill 10 is now dead, but is it really buried?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. When Religion Meets Politics
3. Bill 10 as a Trojan Horse and the Patriotic Front Bearing Gifts
4. Object of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019
5. The Emperor is Naked
6. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This essay examines the political motives behind the failed Zambian Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019, arguing that it served as a deceptive "Trojan Horse" to consolidate executive power. The author explores the problematic symbiosis between religion and politics in Zambia, critiquing how state actors manipulate religious rhetoric to mask authoritarian ambitions and extend presidential tenure.
- The intersection of religious rhetoric and political strategy in Zambia.
- Critical analysis of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019 objectives.
- The use of "Christian Nation" declarations as a tool for political legitimacy.
- Constitutional reform as a mechanism for potential democratic backsliding.
- Presidential power consolidation and the legacy of constitutional "third term" bids.
Excerpt from the Book
The Emperor is Naked
I think most objective observers would agree that at the very least there is legitimate debate over whether Edgar Chagwa Lungu is eligible to stand in 2021 depending on how you spin the meaning of “Second Term.” Supporters of the president, complete with Chitenges [African wax print] wrapped around them and deifying the head of state emblazoned on their posteriors and chests, would argue that he has not served two full terms. He was just completing someone else’s term the first time around. The only question they have not answered is how much of the “third” term should he serve in order to correct that anomaly? Opponents, on the other hand, argue that even one day in office counts as a term. So, how do you deal with these malcontents? Give them an Act of parliament and sneak in changes to the constitution that would facilitate a third term and effectively introduce dictatorship by the front door. The opposition party, independents and turncoats have to be congratulated for having the gall to tell the Emperor that he was naked and not wearing the latest invisible haute couture.
This is what happens when religion meets politics. In the case of president Edgar Chagwa Lungu, James Kayula is absolutely right when he concludes that “Unlike the failed 2001 third term bid by the late President Chiluba, whose illegality was ‘naked’ to everyone’s eye, the current third term is subtle and benign as it presents itself in somewhat misplaced apparel of legitimacy provided by the Constitutional Court. Yet, when stripped to its barest, it is simply a third term bid akin to that of the late Nkurunziza of Burundi, whose rule was not far from despotic.”
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author introduces the essay's core theme of the fraught relationship between religion and politics, using a personal anecdote and the context of the contentious Bill 10 as a starting point.
2. When Religion Meets Politics: This chapter contextualizes the "high-maintenance" relationship between faith and statecraft, specifically highlighting how Bill 10 was perceived as a maneuver for an illegal third term.
3. Bill 10 as a Trojan Horse and the Patriotic Front Bearing Gifts: This section details the failed attempt to pass the constitutional amendment, analyzing the political fallout and the deceptive nature of the bill's objectives.
4. Object of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019: The chapter breaks down the sixteen objectives of the bill, arguing that religious clauses were used as an anesthetic to distract from the central power-grabbing agenda.
5. The Emperor is Naked: This chapter analyzes the debate over the President’s eligibility for a third term, comparing contemporary maneuvers to historical precedents of despotic power.
6. Conclusion: The author summarizes the essay’s argument that Bill 10 was a mechanism for constitutional dictatorship and warns against the ongoing risks of abusing religious identity for political accumulation.
Keywords
Zambia, Constitution Amendment Bill 10, Religion and Politics, Authoritarianism, Edgar Chagwa Lungu, Christian Nation, Constitutional Dictatorship, Executive Power, Political Corruption, Democratic Backsliding, Civic Engagement, Catholic Bishops, Third Term Bid, Legislative Reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this academic essay?
The essay critically evaluates the Zambian Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019, exploring the intersection of religious narratives and political power in contemporary Zambia.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
Key themes include constitutional reform, the potential for democratic erosion, the instrumentalization of religious identity by the ruling party, and the historical context of presidential power in Zambia.
What is the author's main research argument?
The author argues that Bill 10 was a calculated attempt to dismantle democratic safeguards and secure an unconstitutional third term for the incumbent president under the guise of religious and constitutional reform.
Which scientific or analytical approach does the author employ?
The author uses a critical, multidisciplinary approach, combining political analysis, constitutional critique, and theological reflection on the "Christian Nation" declaration.
What specific content is covered in the main body?
The body chapters analyze the legislative objectives of Bill 10, the political maneuvering surrounding its passage and failure, and the moral responsibilities of political leaders in safeguarding national peace.
Which keywords best describe the focus of this work?
Important keywords include Zambia, Bill 10, Constitution, Authoritarianism, Christian Nation, and Political Power.
How does the author characterize the role of religion in Zambian politics?
The author views the marriage of religion and politics in Zambia as inherently problematic, arguing that religious language is frequently abused by political elites to mask self-serving agendas and suppress dissent.
What is the significance of the "Trojan Horse" metaphor used in the title of chapter 3?
The metaphor illustrates how the ruling party presented the constitutional amendment as a benign, "innocuous" package of reforms while concealing a radical agenda to centralize executive power and undermine parliamentary oversight.
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- Dr Tarcisius Mukuka (Autor:in), 2020, Dirge to a Zambian Constitutional Amendment. When Religion Meets Politics, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/958698
