The family of Edgar Lungu, who passed away in South Africa, has worked out a deal with the Zambian government to hold a state funeral amidst initial disputes regarding his posthumous wishes, creating an opportunity for national mourning.
Agreement Reached on Funeral Arrangements for Late Zambian President Edgar Lungu
Agreement Reached on Funeral Arrangements for Late Zambian President Edgar Lungu
After a period of contention, the family of the late Edgar Lungu, Zambia's former president, has reconciled with the government over his funeral arrangements, allowing for state honors.
Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu, who served from 2015 to 2021, died at the age of 68 in South Africa while undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness. Following his death, there was considerable uncertainty surrounding the arrangements for his funeral, particularly given Lungu's reported wishes that political rival and current President Hakainde Hichilema should not be involved in any memorial services. However, this week, an agreement was reached between the Lungu family and the Zambian government, allowing for Hichilema to lead a state funeral scheduled for Sunday, June 22.
The disagreements had sparked confusion among Zambians unsure of how to honor their former leader. Key details confirmed after negotiations include that Lungu's body will be transported back to the Zambian capital, Lusaka, via a private charter plane, where it will be received by family members with full military honors. The body will lie in state at the family home before being taken to a conference centre in Lusaka for public mourning over the following three days.
At a joint press conference held in South Africa, Makebi Zulu, a spokesperson for the Lungu family, expressed regret for the distress the lengthy negotiations had caused, emphasizing their commitment to respecting the former president's personal wishes. In turn, Cabinet Secretary Patrick Kangwa conveyed gratitude for the public's patience during this sensitive period, calling for national unity.
Lungu's political career was marked by a significant electoral defeat in 2021 at the hands of Hichilema, after which he largely withdrew from the political spotlight that saw previous ambitions for a presidential run crushed by a ruling that prohibited him from contesting again. Despite this, he remained an influential figure, notably vocal in his critiques of his successor. In recent months, he had raised allegations of police harassment and restrictions on his movement, which the government contested.
While the immediate focus is on the funeral arrangements, Lungu's legacy and the tensions surrounding his political career are likely to provoke wider discussions on Zambian politics in the coming days.
