Q & AAfrica

Zambia’s Lungu Tries to Cement Power Ahead of August Elections

Zambia’s Lungu Tries to Cement Power Ahead of August Elections
Zambia's President Edgar Lungu attends a bilateral signing ceremony with France's President Francois Hollande at the Elysee Palace, Paris, France, Feb. 8, 2016 (AP photo by Philippe Wojazer).

Last month, authorities arrested Zambian opposition leader Erick Chanda after he accused President Edgar Lungu of using public funds on a vacation. In an email interview, Nick Branson, a senior researcher at Africa Research Institute in London, discussed politics and the state of the opposition in Zambia.

WPR: What is President Edgar Lungu’s record so far in office, and how popular are he and the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) ahead of August presidential and parliamentary elections?

Nick Branson: Lungu has admittedly only been in power for a little over 14 months, having been elected in January 2015 to serve the remainder of the term of Michael Sata, who died in office in October 2014. Nevertheless, he has yet to demonstrate to Zambians that he can fill the shoes of his predecessor.

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