After days of uncertainty and negotiations, the funeral arrangements for Zambia's former president have been finalised. Edgar Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, died 11 days ago in South Africa where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. According to his family, he had left instructions that his political rival and current President Hakainde Hichilema "should not come anywhere near his body". But a spokesperson for the Lungu family confirmed that an agreement had been reached with the government that allowed for Hichilema to preside over a state funeral next Sunday. The row caused consternation among some in Zambia with people left wondering how they should mourn their former leader. After days of talks, the Lungu family and the government have agreed that: The former president will be buried next Monday but it is not yet clear whether he will be interred at the official presidential burial grounds or at his residence. At a joint press briefing in South Africa, Lungu family spokesperson Makebi Zulu, sitting alongside Secretary to Zambia's Cabinet Patrick Kangwa, said the family apologised "for the inconvenience and pain that the protracted negotiations may have caused but we were doing our best to honour the former president's personal wishes". Mr Zulu also said that the family was proceeding on the basis that the government would "not deviate from our agreement". Speaking for the government, Mr Kangwa appealed for unity and thanked Zambians for their patience "during this difficult time". After six years as head state, Lungu lost the 2021 election to Hichilema by a large margin. After that defeat he stepped back from politics but later returned to the fray. He had ambitions to vie for the presidency again but at the end of last year the Constitutional Court barred him from running, ruling that he had already served the maximum two terms allowed by law. Despite his disqualification from the presidential election, he remained hugely influential in Zambian politics and did not hold back in his criticism of his successor. Last year, Lungu complained of police harassment and accused the authorities of effectively putting him under house arrest. He also said he had been prevented from leaving the country. The government denied both accusations. Go toBBCAfrica.comfor more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter@BBCAfrica, on Facebook atBBC Africaor on Instagram atbbcafrica
Zambian ex-president's family settle funeral row with government
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"Funeral Arrangements for Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu Finalized"
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After a period of uncertainty and negotiations, the funeral arrangements for Edgar Lungu, Zambia's former president, have been finalized. Lungu, who governed the country from 2015 to 2021, passed away in South Africa where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. His family had previously indicated that he had instructed that his political rival, current President Hakainde Hichilema, should not be present at his funeral. However, following discussions, a spokesperson for the Lungu family announced that an agreement had been reached with the government, allowing Hichilema to preside over a state funeral scheduled for next Sunday. This resolution was welcomed by many Zambians, who had been left in uncertainty regarding how to appropriately mourn their former leader. The family has confirmed that Lungu will be buried next Monday, although the specific location of his burial—whether at the official presidential burial grounds or at his residence—remains unclear.
During a joint press briefing held in South Africa, Makebi Zulu, the spokesperson for the Lungu family, expressed regret for any inconvenience caused by the lengthy negotiations, emphasizing that the family was striving to honor Lungu's personal wishes. Zulu also stated that they expect the government to adhere to their agreement. On behalf of the government, Patrick Kangwa, Secretary to Zambia's Cabinet, called for unity among Zambians and expressed gratitude for their patience during this challenging period. Lungu, who faced significant political challenges after losing the 2021 election to Hichilema, had ambitions to return to politics but was barred by the Constitutional Court from running again due to term limits. Despite his disqualification, he remained a significant figure in Zambian politics, often criticizing his successor. Last year, he alleged police harassment and claimed he was effectively under house arrest, accusations that the government denied. This complex backdrop highlights the ongoing tensions in Zambian politics as the nation prepares to pay its final respects to a former leader who remained influential until his passing.
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