Zambia’s ruling party and State House have moved to calm political tensions over calls for President Hakainde Hichilema to remain in office beyond 2031, insisting there is no official plan to extend his tenure.
The clarification follows public statements by supporters and officials of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) suggesting Hichilema could seek a third term, sparking concern among opposition groups and civil society over presidential term limits.
Presidential spokesperson Clayson Hamasaka dismissed the debate in Lusaka as a distraction from government’s development agenda.
“One thing I can assure everyone is that President Hakainde Hichilema will not govern the country based on social media commentary,” Hamasaka said.
He urged citizens to channel proposals on national matters through appropriate government institutions and State House, stressing that the administration would not restrict lawful public debate.
The UPND also distanced itself from the calls.
Party media director Mark Simuuwe said “neither the government nor the President had proposed removing presidential term limits”.
“The fact that the President has chosen not to comment should be respected. His silence should not be interpreted as either support or opposition to the various views being expressed,” Simuuwe said.
The debate intensified after UPND-nominated parliamentarian Florence Chama said in a video circulated on social media on Monday that women wanted Hichilema to stay beyond 2031, arguing that development should take precedence over democratic considerations.
Similar remarks were made by UPND supporter Chilufya Tayali, who argued that removing term limits would strengthen democracy, and party official Michael Chuzu, who suggested Hichilema was completing the political project of late UPND founder Anderson Mazoka and could then begin his own mandate.
Article 106 of Zambia’s Constitution states that “a person who has twice held office as President is not eligible for election as President.”
Hichilema, who first took office in 2021 and was sworn in for a second term on September 1, is therefore barred under the current Constitution from seeking re-election after his term ends in 2031.
