Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Zambia's High Court Refuses to Block Lungu's Inauguration

by Reuters

   LUSAKA --

   Zambia's High Court has rejected an application by the main opposition
   party to block President Edgar Lungu's inauguration set for next week
   after last month's contested election, his lawyers said on Friday.

   Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde
   Hichilema had petitioned the court to overturn a Constitutional Court
   decision not to give him more time to legally challenge Lungu's
   re-election.

   He says the Aug. 11 vote was rigged, a charge Lungu denies.

   "The court has refused to block the inauguration. The High Court has no
   power to block a decision of a higher court," Lungu's lawyer Tutwa
   Ngulube told reporters.

   Hichilema's lawyer Keith Mweemba said the UPND would pursue the case in
   the Supreme Court.

   Lungu has led the ruling Patriotic Front since his predecessor Michael
   Sata died in 2014. He won the presidency in January 2015, defeating
   Hichilema in their first election confrontation.

   Zambia is Africa's second-largest copper producer, but its economy has
   been hit by a slump in commodity prices, leading to mine closures and
   exacerbating its already high unemployment.