Zambian president warns of chaos if he is prevented from re-election

Zambian President Edgar Lungu has warned that efforts by the judiciary to stop him from running for another term in office, may plunge his country into chaos and political strife.

Speaking to a gathering of his supporters, Lungu warned that judges could plunge the southern African country into chaos if they made any “adventurous” rulings as he argues that his first period in office doesn’t count as he took over after the death of the last leader without an election.

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“To my colleagues in 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,” Lungu was quoted as saying.

Trouble started after members of the opposition party said Lungu’s re-election would break the constitution which bars leaders from standing for three terms and have asked the Supreme Court to confirm that he will be eligible to stand again in presidential elections scheduled for 2021.

There was no immediate comment from Zambia’s Supreme Court, which is due to meet to consider the election case on Nov. 16.

 

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