Lungu and Hichilema Saga
The Lungu and Hichilema Saga refers to a series of political events and disputes that followed the 2016 general elections in Zambia, after the election petition filed by the UPND president and his running mate was dismissed by the Constitutional Court.
Background
Following the death of president Michael Sata, Edgar Lungu won the 2015 presidential election against UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema.[1][2] Hichilema disputed the outcome, describing the election as unfair and calling on his supporters to remain calm.[3][4]
During President Lungu’s presidency in 2015, a new constitution was enacted introducing the 50+1 voting requirement and the provision for election results to be challenged in court through an election petition.
After the 2016 general election, Hichilema and his running mate filed a petition alleging electoral irregularities. On 5 September 2016, the Constitutional Court dismissed the petition, stating that its mandate had lapsed when the 14-day period provided by law expired.[5]
The Events
Following the dismissal of the petition, Hichilema and members of the UPND stated that they did not recognize President Lungu as the legitimately elected head of state.
The Boycott
On 30 September 2016, all 58 UPND Members of Parliament boycotted the ceremonial state opening of Parliament.[6][7] A leaked letter signed by UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka indicated that disciplinary measures would be taken against any MP who attended the sitting. The letter also reiterated the party’s stance that the matter of the 2016 elections was unresolved.[8]
On 22 December 2016, Parliament ruled that 54 UPND MPs who had boycotted the opening were in breach of procedure. Speaker Patrick Matibini reprimanded the MPs, who later apologised to the House.[9]
Kuomboka Ceremony
On 8 April 2017, during the Kuomboka Ceremony in Mongu, President Lungu’s motorcade and that of Hichilema met along the Mongu–Limulunga road. Reports indicated that Hichilema’s convoy did not give way to the presidential motorcade, leading to a standoff before the President’s convoy overtook. Security presence was high at the event, with reports of over 600 police officers deployed.[10]
The Midnight Raid
Shortly after the Kuomboka incident, police conducted a midnight raid at Hichilema’s residence. Reports stated that tear gas was used during the operation, and property was searched. Accounts differed, with opposition sources alleging mistreatment and loss of property, while police described the operation as lawful and necessary.
Treason Charge
Hichilema was subsequently arrested and charged with treason,[11] along with related offences under the Penal Code, including disobedience of lawful orders and use of insulting language, according to Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja.[12]
Reactions
The UPND described the charges as politically motivated and called for Hichilema’s release.[13] Vice President of the UPND, Geoffrey Mwamba, stated that Hichilema was not driving the vehicle alleged to have obstructed the President, and characterised the arrest as pre-planned.[14]
Internationally, the U.S. government and the European Union expressed concern about the rising political tension and urged calm.[15]
Later Developments
2021 General Election
On 12 August 2021, Hakainde Hichilema defeated Edgar Lungu in the 2021 Zambian general election, securing a landslide victory.[16] On 16 August, President Lungu publicly conceded defeat and congratulated Hichilema. Hichilema was inaugurated as the 7th president of Zambia on 24 August 2021.[17]
Reforms and Governance
Hichilema’s government prioritised economic recovery, anti-corruption measures, and the restoration of democratic norms. His administration also pursued reforms in public finance, debt management, and institutional accountability.[18]
Constitutional Court Ruling
In December 2024, the Constitutional Court of Zambia ruled that Edgar Lungu was ineligible to contest the 2026 presidential elections, having already served two terms, including the partial term that followed the death of President Michael Sata.[19]
Death of Edgar Lungu
On 5 June 2025, Edgar Lungu died in South Africa while receiving medical treatment.[20] His death triggered a dispute between his family and the Zambian government over his burial. While his family sought a private ceremony, the government insisted on a state funeral at Embassy Park Presidential Burial Site in Lusaka. The disagreement led to a legal case in South Africa concerning the repatriation of his remains. On 8 August 2025, the High Court of South Africa ruled in favour of the Zambian government, ordering that Lungu’s body be returned to Zambia for burial with state honours.[21]
See also
References
- ↑ https://www.lusakatimes.com/2015/01/25/president-edgar-lungus-inauguration-pictures/ Lusaka Times, 25 January 2015
- ↑ http://www.zambiawatchdog.com/lungu-declared-president/ Zambia Watchdog, 25 January 2015
- ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zambia/11367373/Zambia-opposition-cries-foul-as-Lungu-wins-presidential-election.html The Daily Telegraph, 24 January 2015
- ↑ http://hh-zambia.com/blog/edgar-lungu-steals-election/ hh-zambia.com, 24 January 2015
- ↑ http://zambianeye.com/archives/51637 Zambian Eye, 23 August 2016
- ↑ https://zambiareports.com/2017/03/19/opinion-upnd-mps-order/ Zambia Reports, 19 March 2017
- ↑ https://www.lusakatimes.com/2016/09/30/upnd-boycotts-opening-parliament/ Lusaka Times, 30 September 2016
- ↑ https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/03/17/upnd-punish-mp-attended-lungus-parliament-address/ Lusaka Times, 17 March 2017
- ↑ https://www.lusakatimes.com/2016/10/07/boycotting-opening-parliament-grave-matter-speaker/ Lusaka Times, 7 October 2016
- ↑ https://www.lusakatimes.com/2017/04/07/600-police-officers-kuomboka-ceremony-creates-war-zone-impression-mulongoti/ Lusaka Times, 7 April 2017
- ↑ http://www.aljazeera.com/video/news/2017/05/zambia-considers-treason-charge-opposition-leader-hichilema-170522055830354.html Al Jazeera, 22 May 2017
- ↑ https://zambiareports.com/2017/04/12/police-formally-slap-hichilema-treason-4-charges-mongu-fracas/ Zambia Reports, 12 April 2017
- ↑ http://www.africanews.com/2017/05/04/zambia-opposition-leader-hakainde-hichilema-in-court-over-treason/ African News, 4 May 2017
- ↑ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-13/zambia-opposition-demands-release-of-leader-charged-with-treason Bloomberg, 13 April 2017
- ↑ https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage_de/24685 Statement by the EU, 13 April 2017
- ↑ https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/zambias-hichilema-wins-landslide-defeat-president-lungu-2021-08-16/ Reuters, 16 August 2021
- ↑ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-58238808 BBC News, 24 August 2021
- ↑ https://africanarguments.org/2021/09/the-three-key-challenges-facing-the-hopeful-new-president/ African Arguments, 2 September 2021
- ↑ https://apnews.com/article/zambia-president-lungu-constitution-court-2024 AP News, December 2024
- ↑ https://apnews.com/article/zambia-ex-president-edgar-lungu-dies-2025 AP News, 5 June 2025
- ↑ https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-african-court-orders-return-zambia-lungu-remains-2025 Reuters, 8 August 2025
