Zambian President Edgar Lungu has signed into law a bill that sets into motion national dialogue led by his government despite opposition from stakeholders, his office said on Friday.

Lungu has signed the National Dialogue Bill into law after it was passed by parliament last month, setting a stage for national dialogue meant to tackle various contentious issues in the country.

Presidential Spokesperson Amos Chanda told reporters that Lungu assented to the bill on April 9, 2019.

He said other processes for the dialogue process will be finalized by the justice minister.

Recently, Lungu said he will not hesitate to assent to the bill once it was presented to him.

Opposition political parties have rejected the national dialogue process led by the government as they prefer the church to lead the dialogue process.

They have accused the government of attempting to force its demands in the dialogue process and have since vowed to shun the dialogue process.

The law seeks to provide a forum to facilitate the amendment of the country's constitution as well as other laws such the electoral law and a controversial law that manages public gatherings and processions.