President Hichilema Prepared to Assent to ATI Bill Following Parliament’s Approval

President Hakainde Hichilema has assured the Zambian people that he is ready to assent to the Access of Information (ATI) Bill following Parliamentary approval on Tuesday, making clear the government’s commitment to the bill and drawing on additional legal reforms, including the removal of the death penalty and the criminal defamation of a President, so as to enhance the country’s democratic nature.

The President’s announcement occurred during a meeting with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) team, which is currently in Zambia for its second review and official launch. President Hichilema expressed gratitude that Zambia had become one of the first African countries to request a second targeted review, highlighting the current government’s dedication to improving governance.

In the meeting, the President encouraged Zambians to exercise their democratic rights and freedoms responsibly, stressing the necessity of avoiding abuse which could infringe on the rights and freedoms of others. President Hichilema further welcomed the APRM team, whilst sharing his own views on the importance of Africa adding value to its exports, thereby challenging the predominant narrative that the continent is only a hub for its raw materials.

Subsequently, the President drew attention to the fact that this perception has had negative impact on Africa’s access to services like affordable capital. The APRM is therefore conducting a Governance review that covers Democratic and Political Governance, Economic and Management, Corporate, Broad-Based Socio-Economic Development, and State Resilience to Shocks and Disasters.

Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, the APRM’s delegation leader, also praised Zambia’s political will and commitment to achieving effective and successful governance, and further acknowledged the steps made by Zambia in implementing peer values through citing the country’s commendable peace and security. Additionally, Mutende commended the current government’s dedication to improving female representation in national leadership – a less common trait across the continent.

The APRM acts as a self-monitoring instrument that can be voluntarily employed by members of the African Union, designed to review any aspect of governance – political, economic, social, corporate, state resilience, and so on. Zambia joined the APRM in 2006, undergoing its first review in 2013. The government will share the resulting report from this year’s review upon its completion.