Zambia’s former President, Edgar Lungu, has taken legal action against the government, alleging that he was prevented from traveling to South Korea for a conference. The issue arose when Lungu was reportedly invited to attend a world peace conference but was denied boarding his plane because he did not have the government’s clearance to travel.
In response, Mr. Lungu has initiated a judicial review process in the Lusaka High Court. He is challenging the government’s decision to obstruct his trip to South Korea, as stated in the court documents he has submitted.
His political party, the Patriotic Front (PF), has strongly criticized the government’s actions, labeling them as illegal. The PF spokesperson, Emmanuel Mwamba, argued that if Mr. Lungu is invited to an event and either the trip is fully funded or he can cover the costs himself, he does not require government permission to travel.
Mwamba also pointed out that Mr. Lungu had previously sought permission from the cabinet office for a medical trip but was still prevented from traveling. He characterized these actions as draconian and dictatorial, asserting that they violate the fundamental rights of the former president and are inconsistent with the principles of a true democracy.
Edgar Lungu lost the presidency to the current incumbent, Hakainde Hichilema, in the 2021 elections. While Lungu announced his retirement from active politics following the defeat, there is widespread speculation that he may be considering a comeback and could potentially run in the 2026 elections.
