'Two terms': the opposition is quoting Hichilema back at himself as the term-limits storm swirls

The term-limits storm entered its second week with the battle lines hardening — and with President Hichilema's own past statements doing the opposition's work. Former diplomat Emmanuel Mwamba this week circulated the President's earlier remarks committing to two terms, noting that State House has repeatedly denied rumours of any plan to extend the limit or seek a third term.

The denials are on the record; so is the discomfort. Chilufya Tayali, whose call to scrap the ten-year ceiling detonated the debate, told a live broadcast this week that he had no interest in a diplomatic posting and intended to stay in Zambia pressing for constitutional changes that would allow Hichilema to contest in 2031. He framed it as a challenge to would-be successors: beat him at the ballot, if the constitution allows him to run.

The pushback keeps widening. Organised People's Party president Dr Brian Mushimba warned on Wednesday that removing the limit would be a mistake Zambia would regret. Democratic Progressive Party leader Antonio Mwanza has said Zambians will accept neither a third term nor a one-party state. Civil rights activist Brebner Changala and governance campaigner Mulenga Kapwepwe have separately warned the UPND against nurturing a third-term agenda, and the Christian Opposition Forum wants a personal commitment from the President.

"Reject any scheme to personalise the constitution." — Dr Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika, veteran constitutionalist

The arithmetic is unforgiving either way. Most constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority — 111 of the 167 members of the National Assembly — and the most entrenched clauses require a referendum. No bill touching the term limit has been tabled, and none has been drafted publicly. What exists is a conversation, launched by Tayali and now sustained by silence at its centre: the President has not addressed the debate directly since it erupted, and each quiet day is being read by both camps as evidence for their side.

Lusaka Brief's read of the facts: the two-term limit stands; the government denies any plan to change it; and the political cost of the ambiguity is rising by the day, mostly to the benefit of those who profit from suspicion.

Sources: Lusaka Times columns, "Mushimba warns against removing presidential term limits" (23 Sep 2026); Zambian Observer, "Tayali rejects diplomatic posting" (22 Sep 2026); Emmanuel Mwamba, public statement (23 Sep 2026); Lusaka Times, "Civil society warns UPND against third-term agenda" (22 Sep 2026) and "Zambians won't accept third term — Mwanza" (21 Sep 2026); Constitution of Zambia, Article 79.