Political tensions in Zambia have increased following former President Edgar Lungu’s announcement of his return to active politics, prompting a series of legal and administrative responses from the government of incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema. The developments are shaping the political landscape ahead of the country’s next general elections, scheduled for 2026.
Lungu, who led the country from 2015 to 2021, announced his return to the presidency of his party, the Patriotic Front (PF), in October 2023. He stated his intention was to contest in future elections. Lungu had previously conceded defeat to Hichilema in the 2021 presidential election, in which Hichilema secured 59% of the vote to Lungu’s 38%, according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
Following Lungu’s announcement, the Zambian government cabinet office terminated his retirement benefits. A government spokesperson cited Zambian law, which stipulates that a former president who returns to active politics forfeits their state pension and other privileges. Supporters of Lungu and the PF party have described the move as politically motivated.
Central to the ongoing political conflict is the dispute over Lungu’s eligibility to run for president again. The Constitution of Zambia limits a president to serving two terms. Lungu first completed the term of his predecessor, Michael Sata, from 2015 to 2016, and then served a full five-year term from 2016 to 2021.
Officials within Hichilema’s United Party for National Development (UPND) and its supporters argue that Lungu has effectively served two terms and is therefore constitutionally barred from seeking the office again. Conversely, Lungu and the PF contend that his first period in office was not a full term and therefore does not count toward the two-term limit, a position the Constitutional Court affirmed prior to the 2021 election. The matter of his eligibility for a future election has not been settled.
Since Hichilema took office, his administration has launched anti-corruption investigations targeting a number of officials who served under Lungu. The Hichilema government maintains that these actions are part of a necessary effort to restore rule of law and recover state assets. Members of the PF have characterized the investigations as a form of political persecution aimed at weakening the opposition.
In recent months, Zambian police have prevented or dispersed several public gatherings organized by Lungu and his supporters, citing the Public Order Act and concerns over national security. Opposition figures have claimed these actions are an infringement on their rights to freedom of assembly, while police officials have stated they are acting to maintain order. The political situation remains fluid as both parties continue to position themselves for the next electoral cycle.
