The Zambia Climate Change Network (ZCCN) asserts that foreign entities must not meddle in their affairs as they operate independently in a sovereign country.
ZCCN Board Chairperson Monica Chundama emphasized that ZCCN is a local Indigenous member-based organization established and registered in Zambia in 2011.
Ms. Chundama stated that ZCCN draws its membership from individuals, academia, CSOs, and the private sector, all aligning with the interests and mandate of ZCCN.
She said ZCCN affiliates with several regional and international networks.
The Board Chairperson said she regretfully noted that the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), a regional network to which ZCCN chose to affiliate, is pushing an agenda to change the legal status of ZCCN to a PACJA Designated National Platform.
The ZCCN Board Chairperson highlighted that as Zambia Climate Change Network, they have repeatedly rejected this agenda as it is not supported by the Zambian Legal Framework nor the ZCCN constitution.
Ms. Chundama mentioned that between the 23rd and 27th of September 2024, PACJA sent individual invitations to ZCCN members and the ZCCN Board to attend a PACJA Planned Zambia National Consultative meeting to discuss progress on the PACJA Designated National Platform.
She stated that the ZCCN Board advised PACJA not to proceed with the planned meeting as it did not agree with the concept note or agenda of the meeting and that it did not represent the interests of ZCCN.
Ms. Chundama expressed that PACJA has not heeded the advice and has proceeded to host the meeting.
She observed that the meeting is confusing ZCCN members, especially as ZCCN is currently undertaking a membership audit and preparing for an AGM to be held before the end of 2024.
Ms. Chundama informed stakeholders, partners, and associates that ZCCN is not part of the ongoing PACJA meeting and that any resolutions or commitments made by those purporting to act on behalf of ZCCN are null and void.
She stated that the ZCCN Board is consulting with relevant authorities on the next steps.
“The ZCCN Board wishes to make it clear that while it appreciates project support from PACJA, this support cannot be used to transform ZCCN’s legal status into a PACJA Platform. Their insistence that ZCCN is a PACJA Designated National Platform is merely a proposal and not supported by the Zambian Legal and Institutional Framework. It is our wish that PACJA respects the independence of ZCCN as a Zambian registered entity operating in a sovereign state, which chose to affiliate itself with PACJA. Therefore, the ZCCN affiliation with PACJA does not empower PACJA to immerse itself in ZCCN’s internal affairs. PACJA participation in ZCCN internal matters is upon invitation by ZCCN itself.
The PACJA meeting called to discuss ZCCN as a PACJA-designated entity has been rejected by the Board. We want to remind PACJA that the ongoing meeting held in the name of ZCCN without the consent and approval of the ZCCN Board is illegal and PACJA is acting outside of their jurisdiction,” she said.
