Zambian Debate on Impeaching President May Not Happen Until June

HARARE (Capital Markets in Africa) – An opposition party proposal to impeach Zambian President Edgar Lungu may not be debated until June after it wasn’t included in Wednesday’s parliamentary program as expected, and as the legislature closes this week for a two-month recess.

The motion brought by Zambia’s main opposition party accuses Lungu of violating the constitution and has been dismissed by the government as frivolous. It has ratcheted up tensions in the southern African nation, where the political atmosphere has been volatile since the opposition lost a disputed 2016 election.

“They communicated to say they have received my motion and they are studying it,” said Gary Nkombo, a lawmaker for the opposition United Party for National Development that brought the action, referring to the assembly. Parliament is set to adjourn on Thursday, Vice President Inonge Wina told lawmakers last week, and the institution’s calendar shows it will resume in June.

Catherine Namugala, the acting speaker, didn’t immediately respond to calls and emails seeking comment on when the debate may be held.

“Parliament is not dying tomorrow,” Nkombo said. “Even if they don’t bring it tomorrow, it will come and see the light of day in not too distant a future.”