A Zambian court has declared former President Lungu unable to seek reelection

Following his announcement of his comeback to active politics last year, former President Edgar Lungu was declared ineligible to seek for reelection by Zambia’s constitutional court on Tuesday.

According to the nation’s top court, Lungu’s first term, which he held from 2015 to 2016 following the passing of former President Michael Sata, was considered a complete term.

He served a second term from September 2016 to August 2021. In the national election of 2021, he lost the presidency to Hakainde Hichilema, a candidate for the United Party for National Development.

According to the ruling, the Patriotic Front (PF) party member “the first respondent Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu has therefore been twice elected and has held office twice.”

“The constitution makes the first respondent ineligible to participate in any future elections as a presidential candidate,” added the statement.

In October 2023, at Sata’s memorial funeral, Lungu announced that he will leave retirement.

Lungu’s return came after his wife and other family members were arrested on suspicion of having stolen money.

Lungu did not attend the court session, which was well guarded by police.

“We are researching the issue. However, the court’s decision and ruling deeply worry us,” PF spokesman Emmanuel Mwamba stated.