Vernon Mwaanga: “HH has done a lot to recreate the democratic space”

Veteran politician, Vernon Mwaanga said during the celebrations for President Hichilema’s 64th birthday, that he had made considerable efforts to recreate the democratic space which had been lost during the previous administration.

He pointed out that President Hichilema had made impressive progress in correcting some of the poor and costly decisions of his predecessors.

President Hichilema has made concrete reforms to legislation in an effort to recover the democratic space in Zambia, including repealing the death penalty and the controversial law on defamation against the President in 2022, as well as signing the Access to Information bill into law after several previous governments failed to do so.

Currently, the government is working to reform the public order act, where citizens will have greater freedom to exercise their rights of expression, association and assembly. For example, the amended act which will be called, “The Public Gatherings Act” will have a provision for spontaneous gatherings and encourage the facilitation of such gatherings where practicable.

Mr. Mwaanga encouraged the President to continue his plans for dealing with disasters Zambia is facing like the drought, as already they are making a difference to the country.

The former Minister for Information has pledged his support for the President. In recent weeks, Mr. Mwaanga voiced the importance of Zambia’s relations with China. He said, “It is indisputable that Zambia-China relations have stood the test of time.”