Melo News | Thursday, April 18, 2024 | Lusaka
The European Union (EU) has expressed concern over the slowdown of Zambia’s reform process in areas such as the rule of law, human rights, media freedom, and civil liberties.
This deceleration is attributed to the change of government and President Hakainde Hichilema’s focus on economic reforms.
A report from the EU election follow-up mission, presented to acting Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe by EU Ambassador Karolina Stasiak, reveals that there has been limited progress in implementing the recommendations made by the 2021 EU Observer Mission.
Out of the 22 recommendations, only the Access to Information Act has been fully implemented, while partial progress has been made in criminal defamation of the president.
The report emphasizes the need for an urgent and inclusive electoral reform process before the 2026 general elections, urging the government and legislature to prioritize these reforms.
It also highlights that although there is political will for electoral reform, the initiatives are in the early stages and lack coordination, as the government has yet to prepare a roadmap.
The report is the result of a visit by Chief Observer Maria Arena, a member of the European Parliament, and her expert team, who assessed the implementation of recommendations given to Zambian authorities after the 2021 elections during their visits in October 2023 and January-February 2024.
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