Zambia’s Constitutional Court has ruled that former President Edgar Lungu is ineligible to run in future presidential elections, citing the country’s constitutional provision limiting presidents to two terms.
The court’s decision, announced on Tuesday, comes after Lungu argued that his first stint in power, from January 2015 to August 2016, didn’t constitute a full term.
However, the court disagreed, stating that Lungu’s partial term should count towards the two-term limit.
Lungu, who served as president from 2015 to 2021, had hoped to run in the 2026 elections. However, the court’s ruling has effectively ended his presidential ambitions.
The decision has been welcomed by Zambian Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha, who said it provides “legal clarity for citizens and safeguards our democracy”.
The controversy surrounding Lungu’s eligibility has been ongoing for several years, with the court previously ruling in his favor in 2018 and 2021.
However, the composition of the court has changed since then, leading to a new hearing and ultimately, the ruling against Lungu.
