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President Lungu warns Zambian judiciary against ‘doing a Maraga’


Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu has warned the judiciary there will be ‘chaos’ if he is barred from contesting in the 2021 election, saying they shouldn’t ‘copycat’ the Supreme Court of Kenya which plunged the country into crisis by annulling President Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory in August.

Mr Lungu’s eligibility for the poll is being challenged by his opponents who argue he is serving his second and final term, and thus should not stand for re-election.

They say the period he served after the death of President Michael Sata in 2014 counts as his first term.

EMULATE KENYA

Lungu’s supporters meanwhile, maintain he merely finished his predecessor’s term, and he’s been serving his first term since his victory in the disputed 2016 election.

“People are saying Zambian courts should emulate Kenyan courts. People are saying Zambian courts should be brave and make decision which are in the interest of the people but look what’s happening in Kenya now,” Lungu said while addressing his supporters.

“I am saying the courts of law in Zambia should also see what’s happening. They should not behave like they are not part of our African continent. The most important thing I can say now is 2021, I am available to stand if my party chooses me.”