FORMER Zambian President Edgar Lungu raised eyebrows on Monday with a statement made during his attendance at the funeral of a late freedom fighter in Lusaka, the capital. Lungu, with a hint of sarcasm, thanked the mourners and humorously remarked, ‘Thank you all and God bless you. I am scared I can be arrested for not having a permit,’ followed by a hearty laugh.
Lungu’s statement comes amidst increasing speculation regarding his political activities following his ousting from power in 2021 when he lost the general election to the incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema. After his defeat, Lungu announced his political retirement, but recent public appearances have cast doubt on his withdrawal from the political arena.
Just one day earlier, the Zambia Police Spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, issued a cautionary statement regarding Lungu’s routine jog over the weekend, suggesting that it had transformed into ‘political activism,’ leading to a disruption of traffic. Hamoonga emphasised that authorities would not tolerate the recurrence of such incidents and advised Lungu to limit his exercise routine to include only his security detail.
Adding to the speculation surrounding Lungu’s political future were comments reportedly made by members of the Patriotic Front, the party that sponsored Lungu’s candidacy in the 2021 election. These comments hinted that Lungu remained the party’s leader for a five-year term, extending until 2026 when Zambia is scheduled to hold its next general election.
Deputy President Mutale Nalumango also contributed to the discourse when she called upon Lungu to clarify his political status, particularly since he was entitled to constitutional benefits associated with the role of a former president.
As Lungu’s public appearances continue to raise questions, the Zambian political landscape remains uncertain, with observers keenly watching for any signs of his potential return to active politics.
