Zambia has finalized funeral arrangements for former President Edgar Lungu following days of negotiations between his family and the government, ending a public dispute that had stirred confusion and tension across the nation. Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, died 11 days ago at the age of 68 in South Africa, where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.
The late president’s family initially resisted government involvement in his funeral proceedings, citing his personal instruction that his political rival and current President Hakainde Hichilema “should not come anywhere near his body.” This stance caused significant uncertainty among citizens who were unsure how to mourn their former leader amid the disagreement.
However, at a joint press conference held in South Africa, family spokesperson Makebi Zulu announced that an agreement had been reached. The government, represented by Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa, will now preside over a full state funeral for the former president on Sunday, 22 June. Mr. Zulu issued an apology to the Zambian people for the delay and said the family had been working to honor Lungu’s final wishes while ensuring a respectful and dignified process. He also expressed trust that the government would uphold their agreement.
According to the revised funeral plan, Lungu’s body will arrive in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, on Wednesday aboard a private charter plane. It will be received by his family at the airport with full military honors before being transported to his residence where it will lie in state. From Thursday through Saturday, the body will be taken to a conference center in Lusaka to allow the public to pay their respects. The state funeral on Sunday will be followed by a national day of mourning, with his burial scheduled for Monday. It remains unclear whether he will be buried at the official presidential burial grounds or at his private residence.
President Hichilema, who defeated Lungu by a wide margin in the 2021 election, has agreed to lead the state funeral despite their longstanding political rivalry. After losing power, Lungu initially stepped back from politics but later attempted a comeback. His presidential ambitions were cut short late last year when Zambia’s Constitutional Court ruled that he had already served the maximum two terms allowed by law.
Despite this ruling, Lungu remained a significant political figure in Zambia and was vocal in his criticism of President Hichilema. He frequently accused the current government of harassment and once claimed he had been placed under house arrest and prevented from traveling allegations the government firmly denied.
Now, as Zambia prepares to lay its former leader to rest, both the government and the Lungu family are calling for unity and patience from the public during this sensitive time.
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