Zambia's ex-president Edgar Lungu barred from seeking re-election
By Rachael Mutabasi |
Lungu's legal challenges came after he was selected by the opposition Tonse Alliance last month to be its candidate for the 2026 elections, despite a yearlong dispute over his withdrawal of retirement benefits.
Zambia's Constitutional Court has ruled that former President Edgar Lungu is ineligible to contest in the 2026 presidential race, as he has already served the maximum two terms allowed by the country's constitution.
The decision, delivered on Tuesday, brings an end to the ongoing legal battle over Lungu's political future.
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As reported by the BBC, the 68-year-old former leader had argued that his first term, which began in 2015 following the death of President Michael Sata, should not count toward the two-term limit, as he did not serve a full five years.
However, the court disagreed, reversing a previous ruling that had cleared Lungu to run in the 2021 election, which he lost to current President Hakainde Hichilema.
"Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu has therefore been twice elected and has twice held office. The constitution makes him ineligible to participate in any future elections as a presidential candidate," the court ruled.
Lungu's legal challenges came after he was selected by the opposition Tonse Alliance last month to be its candidate for the 2026 elections, despite a yearlong dispute over his withdrawal of retirement benefits.
In a bid to revitalize his public image, Lungu was seen jogging in public alongside supporters, which police deemed "political activism."
In a related development, President Hichilema's government made headlines in October when it dismissed three judges involved in the earlier controversial ruling, citing allegations of judicial misconduct.
This move angered many of Lungu's supporters but was defended by the government as necessary to maintain judicial integrity.
The government has since welcomed the Constitutional Court's decision, with Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha emphasising that it provides "legal clarity for citizens" and safeguards Zambia's democracy.
The ruling ensures that the country can look forward to "free, fair, and competitive elections" in 2026, as Zambia continues to navigate its evolving political landscape.
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