Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has claimed he is “practically under house arrest,” accusing the police of planning to detain him without cause. Lungu stated that police are preparing to arrest him at night from his home in Lusaka.
This situation arises shortly after Lungu suggested a possible change in government before the 2026 elections. Police chief Graphael Musamba indicated that Lungu would be summoned to explain his statement, according to local media reports.
Lungu, who announced his return to politics last October, has seen his retirement benefits withdrawn by the government. After losing the presidency to Hakainde Hichilema in 2021, Lungu has accused the current administration of targeting him and his Patriotic Front (PF) party to prevent his political comeback.
Additionally, Lungu’s wife, former First Lady Esther Lungu, faces corruption allegations involving the theft of motor vehicles and title deeds, which she denies. The government, however, denies any targeting of Lungu and has urged him to allow his successor to fulfill his campaign promises.
On Wednesday, Lungu accused the state of multiple unconstitutional actions since he left office. He claimed that the police were instructed to “ambush me at night, abduct, embarrass, and forcefully detain me like a hardcore criminal.” Lungu asserted he had committed no crime to justify such actions.
The current status of the police presence at his residence remains unclear, and the police did not respond to BBC inquiries on the matter. The presidency has maintained that it respects human rights and does not interfere with police operations.
During a church service last Sunday, Lungu hinted at a regime change before the next election, stating, “a baby can be born before nine months.” Information Minister Cornelius Mweetwa described Lungu’s remarks as “hair-raising and startling” and said the government was “carefully studying” them.
Recently, police warned that Lungu risked arrest and prosecution for “engaging in activities that disrupt public order and safety.” Two weeks ago, Lungu was seen walking through the streets of Lusaka, drawing a crowd as he assessed the reported high cost of doing business in the city.
In February, Lungu called for an early election, accusing his successor of economic mismanagement. Last year, the police cautioned him against jogging in public, labeling his weekly workouts as “political activism.”
Meanwhile, a human rights organization has urged the Zambian government to overturn the conviction of opposition official Raphael Nakacinda. Nakacinda, a senior PF official, was sentenced to 18 months in prison on May 17 for allegedly defaming President Hichilema in 2021. Human Rights Watch argued that Nakacinda’s sentence could have a chilling effect on free expression in Zambia. The government has yet to respond to HRW’s statement.