A CONSORTIUM of civil society organisations has called on government to halt the proposed Non-Governmental Organisations Bill 2025, which seeks to provide for the self-regulation of NGOs, among other provisions. The CSOs argue that if enacted, the Bill will undermine the independence and effectiveness of NGOs, crippling their ability to serve the public interest. The consortium consists of Acton Institute for Policy Analysis Centre (AIPAC), Zambian Civil Liberties Union (ZCLU), Governance, Elections, Advocacy, Research, and Support (GEARS), Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD), Measures of Justice and Democracy Foundation, Zambian Institute of Governance and Civil Liberties Advocacy Platform (ZIGCLAP), and Advocates for National Development and Democracy (ANDD). On Tuesday, Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said Cabinet...