LUSAKA, Zambia — A decision was made by Zambia’s Constitutional Court on Tuesday declaring that former President Edgar Lungu cannot run for office in the 2026 elections, as he has already reached the constitutional limit of two terms in office.

The pivotal factor in this ruling was the court’s determination that Lungu’s tenure from 2015 to 2016, which began after the passing of President Michael Sata, should be regarded as a full presidential term. This added to his subsequent election victory that allowed him to serve a second term from 2016 to 2021.

Last year, Lungu made it known that he was planning to return to politics and set his sights on challenging the current President Hakainde Hichilema in the upcoming general elections.

The ongoing competition between Lungu and Hichilema drew significant public interest, contributing to the widespread attention surrounding the court case. The ruling was publicly broadcast on state television and radio, underscoring the political stakes involved. Zambia, a southern African nation with a population of approximately 20 million, ranks as one of the top ten copper producers globally.