Reported by: S. Ernest.
Date: 31st January, 2025.
Lusaka, Zambia.
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has launched the Jubilee Debt Cancellation Campaign at Kapingila House, Catholic Secretariat, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s pursuit of economic justice and financial sustainability.
This initiative is a direct response to Zambia’s mounting debt crisis and aligns with President Hakainde Hichilema’s vision for economic reform under the New Dawn Government.
The campaign is deeply rooted in the biblical principles of mercy, justice, and renewal, as highlighted in Leviticus 25:1-8, and echoes Pope Francis’ call for Jubilee Year 2025, which advocates for global debt forgiveness.
Recognizing that Zambia previously benefited from debt relief two decades ago, the ZCCB warns that the nation is once again at risk of economic distress due to a combination of global financial pressures and domestic fiscal challenges.
The Jubilee Debt Cancellation Campaign emphasizes the urgent need to break the cycle of unsustainable borrowing and calls for structural reforms to ensure long-term economic stability.
To make debt cancellation a viable and justifiable solution, the ZCCB urges the government to commit to key governance principles:
(1).Strengthening the role of Parliament in loan acquisition and debt management to ensure alignment with national development goals.
(2).Publishing regular, detailed reports on debt utilization.
(3).Establishing robust auditing mechanisms to assess the integrity and impact of borrowed funds.
The ZCCB extends a call to action to various stakeholders:
(1).Government authorities must embrace transparent and responsible debt management policies.
(2).Civil society organizations are urged to support policy reforms that promote economic justice.
(3).Religious leaders are encouraged to advocate for financial fairness through prayer and engagement.
The Zambian public is invited to stand in solidarity and demand sustainable solutions to the debt crisis.
As Zambia prepares for Jubilee Year 2025, the ZCCB underscores that debt cancellation is not merely an economic concern but a fundamental issue of human dignity and justice.
Citing Micah 6:8, the bishops urge all citizens to “act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God” in the collective pursuit of a debt-free and prosperous future.
The official campaign launch, held on January 31, 2025, at Kapingila House, Lusaka, was led by Most Rev. Ignatius Chama, Archbishop of Kasama and President of the ZCCB.
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