Zambia’s Constitutional Court has ruled that former President Edgar Lungu is not eligible to seek a third term in office. The court’s decision comes after Lungu announced his return to active politics last year.
The country’s highest court determined that Lungu’s first term, served from 2015 to 2016 following the death of President Michael Sata, counts as a full presidential term. This ruling effectively blocks his bid for a new mandate.
Lungu said in a statement that Tuesday’s verdict was steered by “the hands of political manipulation.”
The 68-year-old faced allegations of corruption while in office, and his wife and other family members are facing graft charges in court, which he says is a way to block him from seeking a third term in office.
The vice president of Lungu’s party said that the former leader was “not concerned” by the court decision and would continue to campaign and be the party’s presidential candidate in 2026.
Last month, Lungu was picked by the opposition Tonse Alliance to be its presidential candidate in the 2026 election to challenge President Hichilema.
Their choice of Lungu came a year after Zambia’s government withdrew his retirement benefits and privileges following his decision to return to active politics.
As part of efforts to revive his public profile, Lungu had started jogging in public along with members of the public and his supporters, which the police termed as “political activism.”.
In a move that angered Lungu’s supporters in October, President Hichilema sacked three top judges who had taken part in the controversial ruling that had allowed Lungu to stand in the 2021 elections.