Zambia Faces Political Crisis as Constitutional Court Prepares to Rule on Edgar Lungu’s Eligibility

Zambia Faces Political Crisis as Constitutional Court Prepares to Rule on Edgar Lungu’s Eligibility

As Zambia braces for the Constitutional Court’s ruling on former President Edgar Lungu’s eligibility to contest the 2026 elections, the country stands on the edge of a political precipice. The ruling, set for December 10, 2024, has sparked widespread anxiety, with opposition figures, analysts, and ordinary citizens all fearing the fallout from what is expected to be a deeply divisive decision.

Peter Sinkamba, leader of the Green Party, has been vocal in warning that whichever way the court rules, Zambia will be plunged into chaos. Sinkamba’s statements are chillingly blunt: If the court declares Lungu ineligible, it would not only invalidate his potential candidacy for 2026, but retroactively declare him ineligible in the 2021 elections. According to Sinkamba, such a ruling would nullify the 2021 presidential election, forcing fresh elections within 90 days—an unprecedented constitutional nightmare that would put the country on the brink of a political crisis.

“Once the court makes a decision, it cannot be reversed, yet the ramifications of declaring Lungu ineligible go far beyond just the 2026 election,” Sinkamba cautioned. “It would mean that the 2021 election was a fraud, forcing the country back into a state of political paralysis.”

The controversy surrounding Lungu’s eligibility is not new. His political maneuvering has been a constant source of tension since he left office in 2021. The former president’s attempts to stay relevant by aligning himself with various political factions, including his recent entry into the Tonse Alliance, have raised eyebrows. Lungu’s actions have been interpreted as a blatant attempt to undermine the current administration and ensure his return to power, a move that has left many questioning his motives.

Lungu himself has accused the government of trying to prevent him from contesting the 2026 election, claiming that he has been unfairly targeted. However, his critics argue that his actions, including potentially changing his political alliances and manipulating the legal system, are a dangerous ploy to destabilize the political landscape and regain control.

Sinkamba’s warnings are not unfounded. The case surrounding Lungu’s eligibility has exposed the deep fractures in Zambia’s political system. The decision of the Constitutional Court will not just be a legal verdict—it will be a shot heard across the nation, potentially upending the entire democratic process. If Lungu is ruled ineligible, it will be seen by many as an attack on his political legacy, one that could lead to widespread unrest. On the other hand, a ruling that allows Lungu to run would send a message that Zambia’s political elite are above the law, perpetuating the cycle of impunity and political manipulation.

The real danger lies in the potential for violence and political instability. With the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) already having set the roadmap for the 2026 elections, tensions are set to rise, particularly in the wake of a ruling that may fuel the already simmering anger in the country. Citizens are already fatigued by the political infighting and backroom deals that seem to govern the nation’s politics. The ruling will either expose the nation’s constitutional weaknesses or cement the fear that Zambia’s democracy is just a hollow shell.

The eyes of the world will be on Zambia as the Constitutional Court delivers its ruling. But beyond the legal and political drama, the future of the nation itself hangs in the balance. Will Zambia finally confront the political manipulation that has plagued its democracy for decades, or will it slip further into the abyss of crisis and conflict? If Sinkamba’s predictions hold true, Zambia’s political landscape could become unrecognizable, with the possibility of Lungu returning to power in a deeply fractured and unstable environment.

One thing is certain: the coming days will be critical for Zambia, as the nation stands on the brink of a political storm that could either restore faith in its legal system or push it into an irreversible crisis.

Kumwesu Dec 8, 2024