Zambia’s highest court has prohibited former President Edgar Lungu from seeking re-election in 2026.
The Constitutional Court determined that the 68-year-old had already completed the two-term limit prescribed by the law.
Lungu initially assumed office in January 2015 to complete the remaining 20 months of President Michael Sata’s term following Sata’s death in October 2014.
He contended that this partial term should not be counted as a full one since it was less than five years. However, the court ruled otherwise, overturning earlier decisions that had permitted him to run three years ago when he was defeated by Hakainde Hichilema.
“Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu has therefore been twice elected and has twice held office. The [constitution] makes him ineligible to participate in any future elections as a presidential candidate,” the court ruled.
Last month, the opposition Tonse Alliance selected Edgar Lungu as its presidential candidate for the 2026 election, setting him up to challenge President Hakainde Hichilema.
The decision to back Lungu followed a move by Zambia’s government a year ago to revoke his retirement benefits and privileges after he re-entered active politics.
In an attempt to regain public support, Lungu began jogging in public alongside his supporters and other citizens — an activity the police described as “political activism.”
In October, President Hichilema dismissed three senior judges who had been involved in the contentious ruling that enabled Lungu to contest the 2021 elections, a move that infuriated Lungu’s backers.
The presidency justified the action, stating that Hichilema was obligated to act on the recommendation of the Judicial Complaints Commission, which had called for the judges’ removal over allegations of misconduct.
Lungu said he accepted the Constitutional Court’s verdict, which he said did not come as a surprise as it had been steered by “the hands of political manipulation”.
“It speaks to the erosion of judicial independence, the weakening of our democratic foundations, and the weaponisation of our institutions for short-term gain,” he posted on social media.
“I am filled not with bitterness but with renewed determination, political hope and faith that democracy, not court politics shall certainly win in 2026 without any doubt.”
The government welcomed the ruling, which puts an end to what has been a long-running legal battle.
“This decision provides legal clarity for citizens and safeguards our democracy, allowing us to look forward to free, fair and competitive elections in 2026,” Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha said in a statement.
Following Sata’s death and Lungu’s first election, the constitution was amended so that the vice-president automatically takes office if a sitting president dies.