Zambian parliament delays debate on impeachment motion

ZAMBIA’S parliament has delayed a debate due yesterday on a motion seeking to impeach President Edgar Lungu over accusations of breaching the constitution, according to a letter from the parliamentary clerk.

Zambia’s main opposition party, the United Party for National Development (UPND), filed a motion last week.

The notice set yesterday as the date for the lawmakers’ debate and vote on the motion.

The impeachment motion has rekindled tensions in Africa’s second-largest copper producer and threatens to derail Commonwealth-brokered talks between the government and opposition after disputed 2016 elections.

“In view of the gravity of the motion, the same is being studied and we shall revert to you in due course,” the letter sent on Monday from the clerk of the National Assembly to Garry Nkombo, the UPND parliamentary chief whip who filed the motion, said. UPND spokesman Charles Kakoma said the motion would now not be debated until parliament’s next session begins in June.

Signed by a third of the 166-member house, the motion needs a two-thirds majority to succeed.

The opposition argues Lungu violated the constitution in 2016 when it challenged his election victory in court, alleging electoral fraud, a claim the government denied. – Reuters