Zambian President, Lungu Eyes ‘Third Term Bid’

Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu/ EPA/JASON SZENES

Zambian President, Lungu Eyes ‘Third Term Bid’

Zambian President, Edgar Lungu, has indicated that he will contest for a “third tenure” in the country’s general election in 2021.

The country’s constitution says that a president can serve only two terms of five years.

Lungu, who became president in January 2015 after the death of Michael Sata, was controversially reelected in 2016 and his opposition parties claim that he has taken the maximum two tenures. But it remains unclear whether that would count as two terms under the law.

Foreseeing that his ambition to contest the 2021 race may face a legal challenge from opposition parties which claim it would be unconstitutional as he has already served two terms — the maximum permitted by law, Lungu warned Zambians judges to steer clear from his ambition.  

Lungu said a judicial intervention like that in Kenya could plunge the country into chaos.

 “Don’t become a copycat and think that you are a hero if you plunge this country into chaos,” Lungu told supporters at an event in Solwezi, north west Zambia, that was broadcast on state radio late Thursday.

“I want to close by saying that those people who don’t like peace and freedom will say ‘President Lungu is intimidating the courts of law’ — I am not intimidating the judiciary.

“I am just warning you because I have information that some of you want to be adventurous, your adventure should not plunge us into chaos please.”

The warning comes after Kenya was rocked by two months of political drama and acrimony, triggered by the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn an election in August over widespread irregularities.

If the president formally registered his candidacy to contest 2021’s polls then opposition parties could seek to have the bid ruled illegal by the constitutional court.

 “I want to make it very clear. People are saying Zambian courts should emulate Kenyan courts,” said Lungu. “People are saying Zambian courts should be brave and make decisions which are in the interest of the people — but look at what’s happening in Kenya now.

“Whether I am eligible to stand or not in 2021 should not be dependent on the case in Kenya.”