Analysis: Big win for Edgar Lungu

[Glasgow]

The ruling that Zambian President Edgar Lungu can stand again in 2021 does not surprise many.

Mr Lungu was first elected in January 2015 after the death of Michael Sata in October 2014.

But since Zambia had scheduled elections the following year, Lungu effectively only served for a year and a half.

Those who were against Mr Lungu’s "third term" had been encouraged by a part of the Zambian Constitution which says someone who has held office twice as president is not eligible for election as President.

Opposition party UPND released a statement rejecting the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

Last year Mr Lungu warned of chaos if they dared to "go the Kenyan way" by ruling against his eligibility.

He was referring to the Kenyan courts which had annulled the election of incumbent president Uhuru Kenyatta.

So this is a big victory for Mr Lungu.

It's a bold decision by the Constitutional Court whose judges been accused of being unqualified to sit on the bench.

Straight after today's ruling, Mr Lungu’s party declared him their candidate for the 2021 elections.