By Ollus Ndomu
Zambia’s former president Edgar Chagwa Lungu has arrived at the Constitutional Court in Lusaka, drawing the nation’s attention to his highly charged eligibility case. A frail yet defiant Lungu, flanked by a handful of his Patriotic Front (PF) loyalists and legal team, face a heavy police presence as tensions simmer in the capital.
The embattled former leader, who held power from 2015 to 2021, is contesting the legal barriers blocking his potential 2026 candidacy. On Tuesday, Lungu launched a scathing attack on President Hakainde Hichilema at a mini-rally, lambasting the suspension of three Constitutional Court judges who had once cleared him to run for re-election in 2021. “We cannot allow one man to manipulate the judiciary for his own gain,” Lungu fumed, accusing Hichilema of undermining democracy.
The political atmosphere in Lusaka is fraught with tension. Security forces have locked down critical parts of the city, bracing for potential unrest as supporters on both sides await the court’s decision. Lungu, whose tenure is marred by allegations of political violence, killings, and authoritarianism, remains a polarizing figure in Zambian politics. His return to the political stage has ignited fears of renewed instability.
Inside the court, the legal arguments over whether Lungu—who has been sworn in twice as president—can run again in 2026 could reshape the country’s political landscape. The stakes are high, with some viewing this as a critical test of Zambia’s fragile democracy.
With the capital on edge, all eyes are now on the courtroom, as Zambia holds its breath for a ruling that could decide not only Lungu’s political future but the direction of the nation itself.
