Oasis Forum postpones planned peaceful demonstration, schedules gathering for 28th November

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka, Zambia24 — (26-11-2025) — The Oasis Forum has postponed its planned Peaceful March Past against Bill 7 and will instead hold a prayer rally on 28th November 2025, following police advice and in view of a scheduled meeting with President Hakainde Hichilema.

Oasis Forum Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the decision to replace the march with a prayer gathering was reached to give room for constructive engagement with the Head of State.

“While all formalities for the march were in place, we have decided to hold intercession prayers at Pope Square, Lusaka (Cathedral of the Child Jesus) at 08:30 hours on 28th November 2025, even as we meet the President,” Katebe said. She added that participants are encouraged to wear black.

The Forum — comprising the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), Non-Governmental Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC), and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) — reaffirmed its dedication to upholding constitutionalism, the rule of law and good governance.

The move follows an advisory from the Zambia Police Service, which confirmed receiving the Forum’s notification but cautioned against proceeding with the march. 

In a letter dated 24th November 2025, Officer-in-Charge A. Siwito of Woodlands Police Station stated that police had “picked up intelligence of unscrupulous individuals who are planning on using the proposed demonstration to bring anarchy and disorder during the procession which threatens peace.”

The advisory also noted ongoing judicial and consultative processes. Siwito pointed out that the Forum has filed fresh court action in the Constitutional Court and is awaiting a ruling on a conservatory order seeking to halt the Technical Committee’s work on constitutional amendments. The ruling is scheduled for 25th November 2025.

Further, police cited President Hichilema’s invitation for all concerned parties to engage in dialogue at State House, stressing that postponing the march would “respect the judicial process and underlying security concerns to avoid any actions that may potentially endanger public safety.”

Katebe stressed that the Oasis Forum remains committed to peaceful advocacy and to exercising constitutional rights within the confines of the law.

“We are keen to ensure that our advocacy promotes Zambia’s progress while respecting the law and public order,” she said.

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