Zambia Finalizes State Funeral for Former President Edgar Lungu Amidst Family Dispute
Lusaka, Zambia – After days of intense negotiations and public uncertainty, the Zambian government and the family of former President Edgar Lungu have reached a settlement regarding his funeral arrangements. The agreement paves the way for a state funeral, bringing closure to a dispute that captivated and sometimes confused the nation.
Edgar Lungu, who served as Zambia’s sixth president from 2015 to 2021, passed away at age 68 in South Africa on June 13, where he had been receiving medical treatment for an undisclosed illness. His death reportedly brought a genuine sense of grief to many Zambians, though preparations for his final send-off were quickly overshadowed by a bitter conflict over the arrangements.
The Heart of the Dispute: Personal Wishes vs. State Protocol
The core of the disagreement lay in the reported personal wishes of the former president. According to Lungu family spokesman Makebi Zulu, Lungu had left specific instructions that his political rival and current President Hakainde Hichilema “should not come anywhere near his body.”
This directive created a significant challenge, as state funerals for former presidents typically involve the incumbent head of state presiding over the ceremony. The impasse led to delays in repatriating Lungu’s body from South Africa and caused widespread confusion among Zambians unsure how to appropriately mourn their former leader.
Adding to the complexity, the dispute involved not just the family but also Lungu’s political party, the Patriotic Front (PF), often placing them at odds with the government. Points of contention included:
Repatriation: The family and PF initially expressed a desire for more control over bringing the body home, feeling the government’s approach suggested they had “no say” despite offers of military honours.
Mourning Venues and Periods: Disagreements arose over the official mourning site (government-owned lodge vs. PF headquarters) and the timing of national mourning period declarations.
Control Over the Ceremony: While not against a state funeral, the family insisted on having a say in who would preside, seemingly a direct response to Lungu’s reported wish regarding President Hichilema.
Constitutional lawyer John Sangwa described the situation as a “tug-of-war,” highlighting the need for clearer legal guidelines in Zambia regarding funeral arrangements for former heads of state, while suggesting that family wishes should ultimately be respected. The government dispatched envoys to South Africa to negotiate directly with Lungu’s family.
The long-standing, often fraught political rivalry between Lungu and Hichilema provided a tense backdrop to the dispute. This rivalry included incidents such as Hichilema’s imprisonment on treason charges during Lungu’s tenure. Furthermore, the PF and family lawyers made serious allegations that a government-imposed travel ban had prevented Lungu from seeking earlier medical treatment abroad, potentially contributing to his death – claims the government vehemently denied.
Agreement Reached: Paving the Way for a State Funeral
After days of intense consultations, an agreement was confirmed at a joint press briefing in South Africa by family spokesperson Makebi Zulu and Secretary to Cabinet Patrick Kangwa, representing the government.
Under the terms of the settlement, a state funeral will proceed, with President Hichilema set to preside. The agreed funeral arrangements include:
The former president’s body will be flown to Lusaka, Zambia, by private charter.
Upon arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, the body will receive full military honours during a reception by the family.
The body will then be transported to Lungu’s residence to lie in state temporarily.
For three days, starting Thursday, public viewing and paying respects will take place at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka.
A state funeral service will be held on Sunday, June 23.
- Lungu will be buried the following day, Monday, June 24, at Embassy Park, Zambia’s official burial site for former presidents, marking the end of the official mourning period.
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Speaking at the briefing, family spokesperson Makebi Zulu apologised for the “inconvenience and pain that the protracted negotiations may have caused,” explaining that the family was doing its best to honour the former president’s personal wishes. He added that the family was proceeding on the understanding that the government would adhere to the agreed terms.
Representing the government, Patrick Kangwa appealed for national unity during this difficult time and thanked Zambians for their patience.
Lungu’s Legacy and Continued Influence
Edgar Lungu first took office after the death of President Michael Sata, winning a special election in 2015 and securing a full term in 2016. His presidency saw significant Chinese investment but was also marked by economic struggles, rising debt, and corruption allegations, which he consistently denied.
Lungu lost his re-election bid to Hakainde Hichilema by a large margin in the 2021 general election. While he initially stepped back from politics, he returned in 2023, citing a need to defend democracy. Despite being barred by the Constitutional Court from contesting the next presidential election on the grounds that he had already served the maximum two terms allowed by law, Lungu remained a highly influential figure and a vocal critic of President Hichilema’s government. He had previously claimed facing police harassment and effective house arrest, allegations denied by the government.
The resolution of the funeral dispute allows for a formal state send-off, balancing the requirements of state protocol and national mourning with the deeply personal and political tensions that marked the relationship between the former and current presidents. While the Kaunda precedent in Zambia saw a court ruling favour state protocol for burial site over family wishes, the current agreement appears to be a negotiated outcome addressing multiple concerns.
As Zambia prepares to mourn its former leader, the focus shifts from the conflict over arrangements to bidding farewell to a significant figure in the nation’s recent political history.
