Annel Silungwe

Annel Musenga Silungwe (10 January 1936 – 30 June 2024) was a Zambian jurist who served as the Chief Justice of Zambia from 1975 to 1992. He also served as a justice in Seychelles and for the Supreme Court of Namibia.

Life and career

Silungwe was born on 10 January 1936 in Mbala in Northern Rhodesia. He attended mission schools and after receiving his education, became involved in religious affairs, being elected a deacon at a local church. A member of the United Church of Zambia, where he served as a trustee, he became a church elder in 1960 and became "one of the country's most able lay preachers." Namibian judge Peter Shivute later noted that Silungwe "served with dedication and distinction, earning him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and the legal community." Silungwe, who received a Master of Laws degree from the University of Zambia in 1977, also chaired the Judicial Service Commission, Council of Legal Education and the Council of Law Reporting during his tenure as Chief Justice. He additionally served as a council member with the World Jurist Association starting in 1977.