Frederick Chiluba’s Third Presidential Term Bid in Zambia

Abstract

During the campaign for reintroduction of a multiparty political system in Zambia in 1990–1991, Frederick Chiluba and his Movement for Multiparty Democracy strongly advocated for presidential term limits. As a result, the constitution adopted in August 1991 to facilitate the transition to a plural political system provided for a two-term presidential limit. And, throughout his presidency, Chiluba maintained that he would not seek to extend his stay in power beyond the constitutionally prescribed limit. Nevertheless, a year before the end of his second term of office, it became evident that Chiluba intended to amend both the country’s and his party’s constitutions to enable him run for a third term in office. This chapter discusses the historical and political context of Chiluba’s failed attempt to seek an extension of his tenure as president beyond the two terms prescribed by the country’s constitution, as well as the role of internal and external actors in the outcome of his bid. It also offers some lessons from the successful anti-third-term campaign against Chiluba.