Zambia’s President suspends judges over favoring former president

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has suspended three top judges over alleged judicial misconduct.

The suspended judges- Justice Annie Sitali, Justice Mungeni Mulenga and Justice Palani Mulonda were due to be part of a bench sitting on Thursday in a case which would decide whether former president Edgar Lungu can contest in 2026 elections

The presidency said the suspension was based on recommendations by Judicial Complaints Commission which investigated them following a complaint by lawyer Joseph Busenga over their judicial conduct

In 2016, the three Constitutional Court judges dismissed Hichilema’s petition, in which he challenged the election victory of Lungu.

They also took part in a controversial ruling allowing Lungu to stand in the 2021 elections, despite having twice served as Zambia’s president.

Political tensions are rising in Zambia ahead of elections which Hichilema and Lungu are expected to face each other for a fourth time.