Don’t copy Kenya, Zambia president warns judges

President Edgar Lungu has warned Zambia’s judges against
blocking him from running in 2021 elections, saying a judicial
intervention like that in Kenya could plunge the country into
chaos.

Lungu is expected to contest the 2021 race but may face a legal
challenge from opposition parties which claim it would be
unconstitutional as he has already served two terms — the maximum
permitted by law.

“Don’t become a copycat and think that you are a hero if you
plunge this country into chaos,” Lungu told supporters at an event
in Solwezi, north west Zambia, that was broadcast on state radio
late Thursday.

INTIMIDATION

“I want to close by saying that those people who don’t like
peace and freedom will say ‘President Lungu is intimidating the
courts of law’ — I am not intimidating the judiciary.

“I am just warning you because I have information that some of
you want to be adventurous, your adventure should not plunge us
into chaos please.”

The warning comes after Kenya was rocked by two months of
political drama and acrimony, triggered by the Supreme Court’s
decision to overturn the presidential election in August over
widespread irregularities.

If Lungu formally registers’ his candidacy to contest 2021’s
polls then opposition parties could seek to have the bid ruled
illegal by the constitutional court.

TWO TERMS

The country’s constitution says that a president can serve only
two terms of five years.

Lungu, who became president in January 2015 after the death of
Michael Sata, was controversially re-elected in 2016 but it remains
unclear whether that would count as two terms under the law.

“I want to make it very clear. People are saying Zambian courts
should emulate Kenyan courts,” said Lungu.

“People are saying Zambian courts should be brave and make
decisions which are in the interest of the people — but look at
what’s happening in Kenya now.

“Whether I am eligible to stand or not in 2021 should not be
dependent on the case in Kenya.”

President Edgar Lungu has warned Zambia’s judges against
blocking him from running in 2021 elections, saying a judicial
intervention like that in Kenya could plunge the country into
chaos.

Lungu is expected to contest the 2021 race but may face a legal
challenge from opposition parties which claim it would be
unconstitutional as he has already served two terms — the maximum
permitted by law.

“Don’t become a copycat and think that you are a hero if you
plunge this country into chaos,” Lungu told supporters at an event
in Solwezi, north west Zambia, that was broadcast on state radio
late Thursday.

INTIMIDATION

“I want to close by saying that those people who don’t like
peace and freedom will say ‘President Lungu is intimidating the
courts of law’ — I am not intimidating the judiciary.

“I am just warning you because I have information that some of
you want to be adventurous, your adventure should not plunge us
into chaos please.”

The warning comes after Kenya was rocked by two months of
political drama and acrimony, triggered by the Supreme Court’s
decision to overturn the presidential election in August over
widespread irregularities.

If Lungu formally registers’ his candidacy to contest 2021’s
polls then opposition parties could seek to have the bid ruled
illegal by the constitutional court.

TWO TERMS

The country’s constitution says that a president can serve only
two terms of five years.

Lungu, who became president in January 2015 after the death of
Michael Sata, was controversially re-elected in 2016 but it remains
unclear whether that would count as two terms under the law.

“I want to make it very clear. People are saying Zambian courts
should emulate Kenyan courts,” said Lungu.

“People are saying Zambian courts should be brave and make
decisions which are in the interest of the people — but look at
what’s happening in Kenya now.

“Whether I am eligible to stand or not in 2021 should not be
dependent on the case in Kenya.”