2025 Oasis Forum Protest
| Planned 2025 Oasis Forum Protest | |
|---|---|
| Date | 28 November 2025 (planned) |
| Location | Freedom Statue to State House, Lusaka |
| Methods | Peaceful march, civic mobilisation |
The 2025 Oasis Forum Protest is a civic action scheduled for 28 November 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia. Organised by the Oasis Forum, the march is intended as a nationwide demonstration against Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025, which the Forum and allied organisations argue is being advanced through a non-transparent and non-inclusive process.
Background
In 2025, the Government introduced Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7, focusing largely on electoral reforms. The proposal drew criticism from civil society, church bodies, and members of the legal profession, who contended that the amendment process did not meet the standards of broad consultation required for constitutional change.
The Oasis Forum, an established coalition involved in past governance and constitutional debates, announced a coordinated national campaign aimed at resisting the proposed amendment.
Preparations
As of 25 November 2025, the Forum has been undertaking several preparatory activities:
- public sensitisation campaigns through community meetings and media engagements;
- a symbolic action encouraging citizens to wear black ribbons and display black car disks to signal opposition;
- an ongoing petition drive addressed to the President and Members of Parliament;
- the filing of a petition before the Constitutional Court challenging the process behind Bill No. 7.
The Forum stated that these efforts are designed to build nationwide momentum leading up to the march.
Planned Protest March
The protest is scheduled to take place on 28 November 2025. Participants are expected to gather at the Freedom Statue in Lusaka before marching peacefully toward State House.
Support for the planned march has come from:
- church organisations;
- civil society groups;
- members of the legal fraternity;
- university students and youth organisations;
- concerned citizens.
The organisers have emphasised peaceful conduct, civic discipline, and strong visual symbolism through black attire and placards.
Objectives
The main aims of the planned protest are to:
- demand the withdrawal of Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025;
- remind elected leaders of their responsibility to uphold constitutional values;
- highlight concerns about the rushed nature of the amendment process;
- reinforce the need for inclusive, transparent national consultations.
Public and Political Reactions
In the days leading up to the march, the planned action has been widely discussed in public forums, on radio, and across social media. Various civil society actors and professional bodies have expressed support for the initiative. Government responses have been reserved, with officials maintaining that the bill remains under parliamentary consideration.
Timeline of Events Leading to the Planned 2025 Oasis Forum Protest
The following timeline outlines key developments from October to November 2025 related to Oasis Forum’s opposition to Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025. The sequence documents civic mobilisation, legal actions, public communication, and preparations for the planned nationwide protest on 28 November 2025.
October 2025
- Early October 2025
- Oasis Forum begins internal consultations after reports surface indicating that Government intends to introduce Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 during the 2025 parliamentary sitting.
- Civil society and church leaders express early concerns over the lack of public disclosure and broad consultation.
- 10 October 2025
- Leaked documents outlining key proposals of Bill No. 7 circulate online, prompting increased public debate.
- Mid-October 2025
- Oasis Forum convenes a series of strategy meetings with legal professionals, faith-based organisations, and youth networks to assess the constitutionality of the proposed amendment process.
- Media houses begin requesting official commentary as speculation grows.
- 24 October 2025 (Independence Day)
- During national celebrations, several civic groups use the occasion to call for national dialogue and caution against rushed constitutional changes.
November 2025
- 1 November 2025
- Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 is formally tabled for parliamentary consideration.
- Oasis Forum issues its first official statement condemning the bill as non-transparent and exclusionary.
- 5 November 2025
- A coalition meeting brings together church bodies, lawyers, and civil society to agree on a coordinated response strategy.
- 8–10 November 2025
- Public awareness activities begin across Lusaka, Copperbelt, and Southern Province.
- Citizens start displaying black ribbons and black car disks as symbols of resistance.
- 12 November 2025
- Oasis Forum launches an online and physical petition addressed to the President and Members of Parliament calling for the withdrawal of Bill No. 7.
- 14 November 2025
- The Forum schedules a Constitutional Court petition challenging the amendment process.
- University students in Lusaka hold small-scale solidarity discussions on campuses.
- 16 November 2025
- Church denominations affiliated with the Forum announce nationwide prayers for constitutional integrity.
- 18–20 November 2025
- Public sensitisation intensifies on radio, television, and social media.
- Civil society groups in Kitwe, Ndola, Kabwe, and Livingstone begin organising local support actions.
- 21 November 2025
- The Constitutional Court petition is officially filed by Oasis Forum.
- National debate escalates as legal experts weigh in on the possible implications of the bill.
- 23 November 2025
- Coordinators confirm logistical arrangements for a planned protest on 28 November 2025.
- 24–25 November 2025
- Oasis Forum issues a public notice confirming the march route from Freedom Statue to State House.
- Citizens continue to mobilise online, sharing instructions for peaceful participation.
- Youth groups, churches, and professional associations release solidarity statements.
Planned Protest Day
- 28 November 2025 (Scheduled)
- Citizens nationwide expected to gather at Freedom Statue in Lusaka for a peaceful march to State House.
- Organisers reiterate goals: withdrawal of Bill No. 7, protection of constitutional order, and reinforcement of public participation in national reforms.
Significance
If carried out as planned, the 2025 march will mark one of the major civic mobilisation efforts of the year. It underscores the active role of civil society in safeguarding Zambia’s constitutional order and highlights the importance of participatory governance in national reform processes.
