WATCH THE VIDEO HERE Zambia’s Constitutional Court has slated December 10, 2024, as the critical judgment day in the high-stakes case determining former President Edgar Lungu’s eligibility to run in the 2026 general elections. The ruling promises to settle a divisive legal and political debate that has gripped the nation since Lungu’s controversial exit from office in 2021. In a dramatic turn of events, elite constitutional lawyer John Sangwa has recused himself from the case after the court limited his participation to written submissions only, denying him the chance for oral arguments as amicus curiae (friend of the court). Outspoken Sangwa, a vocal critic of Lungu’s eligibility in 2021, surprised many by joining the case this year, arguing that Lungu should be eligible to contest in 2026, given that the court had cleared him in an earlier ruling. Sangwa’s earlier position—stating that Lungu had already served two terms, following his swearing-in ceremonies in 2015 and 2016—was a cornerstone of the opposition to Lungu’s continued political ambitions. However, his recent involvement has sparked intense debate, with critics questioning the constitutional lawyer’s change in stance. Meanwhile, Lungu’s eligibility remains under scrutiny following a legal challenge filed by student leader Michelo Chizombe, who argued that the 2021 judgment allowing Lungu to run again was influenced by political pressure and threats from the then-sitting president. Chizombe’s petition has reignited a national debate over the interpretation of Zambia’s presidential term limits and the role of the judiciary in handling politically charged legal cases. With the December ruling looming, Zambia’s political landscape is tense, and the decision could have profound implications for the 2026 elections. Reporting by Joshua Ilya; Editing by Ollus Ndomu
Court reserves ruling Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s eligibility case to December 10
