In a dramatic turn of events, the Zambian government has announced the immediate withdrawal of retirement benefits and privileges from former President Edgar Lungu after his decision to re-enter the political arena.
Mr. Lungu, who suffered defeat in the 2021 presidential election at the hands of Hakainde Hichilema and subsequently announced his retirement from politics, will now see a significant change in his status. He served as the nation’s president for six years, during which Zambia grappled with severe economic challenges, making it Africa’s most indebted nation.
The withdrawal of Mr. Lungu’s retirement benefits and privileges was confirmed by government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa. According to Mweetwa, the law explicitly dictates that former presidents who return to active politics forfeit their retirement benefits.
As a retired president, Edgar Lungu enjoyed several privileges, including three security officers, a diplomatic passport, three state cars, a furnished house, medical insurance, and funeral expenses in the event of his death. Additionally, he held immunity from prosecution, a protection that will no longer apply.
During a press conference held on Wednesday, Mweetwa emphasized that the former president would now be treated “equally under the law,” similar to any other senior citizen of the country.
Lungu’s return to politics comes amid growing dissatisfaction with the ongoing economic challenges in Zambia under his successor’s leadership. Civil society groups have also expressed concerns regarding what they perceive as diminishing human rights freedoms in the nation.
In a recent announcement of his political comeback, Mr. Lungu stated that his return to politics was motivated by the desire to protect and defend democracy in the country. He also pledged to rescue his factionalized former ruling party, the Patriotic Front, from potential collapse. The government has even threatened to deregister the party due to internal leadership disputes.
However, the government spokesperson refuted Mr. Lungu’s recent claims that supporters of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) were targeting him, dismissing them as baseless. He assured the public that the former leader’s safety was on par with that of any other citizen.
Despite these developments, Mr. Lungu has been cautioned against adopting a confrontational approach towards President Hichilema’s government. In a surprising move last month, Mr. Lungu was warned against public jogging, with the police deeming his weekly workouts as “political activism.” It remains unclear whether his immunity from prosecution will be revoked.
Notably, Zambia’s parliament has previously removed immunity from two former presidents, Frederick Chiluba in 2002 and Rupiah Banda in 2013. Several members of the ruling UPND have been advocating for the removal of Lungu’s immunity, alleging corruption during his tenure. Mr. Lungu, in response, has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated.
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