After six years in power, the former Zambian President Lungu announced his retirement in 2021 after losing the presidential election to Hakainde Hichilema. However, he made the decision in October 2023 to go back into politics, which contributed to set the stage for a brutal 2026 presidential contest. Zambia’s government has decided to withdraw the retirement benefits and privileges of former President Edgar Lungu after his decision to re-enter active politics.
Zambia’s former president Edgar Lungu’s return to the political arena sets the stage for a highly anticipated 2026 presidential race. The government’s response to his decision has been swift, with the immediate withdrawal of his retirement benefits and privileges. According to government spokesman Cornelius Mweetwa, this move is in accordance with the law, which explicitly states that former presidents returning to politics forfeit these benefits.
Those who are worried about his coming back should not be worried. He is a free citizen and what happens to him should not worry other people.So his coming back to politics is okay. This was forced on him by the UPND due to their poor management of the country.
Harry KALABA, Chairman of the Citizen First party – Zambia
Edgar Lungu’s return to politics is motivated by a desire to address the ongoing economic challenges in Zambia and defend democracy in the nation. Additionally, he has pledged to salvage his factionalized ex-ruling Patriotic Front party, which faces potential deregistration by the government due to leadership disputes.
I will not allow the patriotic Front to die, I will also not allow a fraction within the party, I will also not allow opportunistic individuals to destroy the party. Therefore, after careful reflection i have decided to return to active politics
Edgar Lungu , Former President of Zambia – Zambia
However, Lungu received a warning against using aggressive tactics against President Hichilema’s administration. It is unclear if Lungu’s immunity from prosecution would be lifted, even though Zambia’s parliament has withdrawn the privilege to immunity for two past presidents: Frederick Chiluba in 2002 and Rupiah Banda in 2013 of late memory . A few UPND lawmakers have been demanding that his immunity be revoked and that he be prosecuted for suspected corruption committed while in power.