Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu Passes Away at Age 68

Edgar Lungu, who served as Zambia's president from 2015 until 2021, has died at a medical facility in South Africa. His political career was shadowed by a significant national debt and allegations of suppressing press freedoms. Recently, he was deemed ineligible to contest again for the presidency.

Former President Edgar Lungu of Zambia has died at the age of 68 while receiving medical treatment in South Africa, as confirmed by his daughter and his political party, the Patriotic Front. Lungu's passing marks the end of a controversial political career defined by both ambition and significant challenges during his six-year tenure from 2015 to 2021.

Tasila Lungu Mwansa shared news of her father’s death through a video posted on the party’s Facebook page, noting that he had been under medical supervision in recent weeks, though specific details regarding the cause of his health decline were not provided.

During Lungu’s presidency, he prioritized infrastructure development, resulting in remarkable projects aimed at modernizing Zambia. However, these efforts came at the cost of a soaring national debt that raised concerns among economists and citizens alike. His administration faced heavy criticism for alleged actions that diminished political and press freedoms, particularly through the implementation of emergency powers to suppress dissent and control unrest.

After losing the 2021 presidential election to Hakainde Hichilema, Lungu initially stepped back from politics. However, he soon sought to make a comeback by leading an alliance that included the Patriotic Front as its presidential candidate. In December 2022, Zambia’s Constitutional Court ruled against Lungu’s re-election bid on the grounds that he had already served two terms, despite his first term being a partial one.

This judicial stance was met with widespread debate, with some observers claiming it was an abuse of power by Hichilema, who had previously removed judges from the high court over rulings perceived as unfavorable to his government.

The political landscape of Zambia remains shaken by Lungu's legacy, prompting reflections on governance, freedom, and democracy in the region following his passing.