Tensions in Zambia have deepened following the death of former President Edgar Lungu, as his family insists that President Hakainde Hichilema should be kept away from the late leader’s funeral.
In a dramatic turn that has laid bare a long-standing political rivalry, Lungu’s family has openly rejected the government’s involvement in funeral arrangements, declaring that their late patriarch specifically instructed that his successor “should not be anywhere near” his body.
Lungu, who passed away in South Africa last week at the age of 68, reportedly left behind firm wishes for a private burial free from political ceremony. Speaking from South Africa, the family’s spokesman and lawyer, Makebi Zulu, stated that all logistics had already been put in place to carry out Lungu’s instructions. Zulu made it clear: “We want to honour the conscience of the deceased. That means President Hichilema should not be anywhere near the proceedings.”
The late leader’s body was due to be flown home on Wednesday, but a standoff between the family, Lungu’s political party—the Patriotic Front (PF)—and the Zambian government derailed those plans. At the center of the dispute is not just who should attend the funeral, but who controls the narrative surrounding the final days of a former head of state.
Hichilema, who succeeded Lungu in 2021 after years of political rivalry, addressed the nation Thursday evening. Though he didn’t directly respond to the family’s declaration, his message focused on unity. “Let us put aside our differences,” he said. “This is a moment for love, peace, and collective grief. Zambia must be allowed to say goodbye with dignity.”
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The PF insists that Lungu’s prolonged illness was mishandled by the state, claiming that the former president was at one point barred from traveling abroad for medical care. They argue that if he had received treatment earlier, he might still be alive. The government has not commented on those claims but has emphasized its intention to accord Lungu the honor of a state funeral.
Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe traveled to South Africa this week in a bid to negotiate with Lungu’s widow, Esther, and his daughter, Tasila, who has been a powerful force within the family. Speaking to journalists, Haimbe acknowledged the family’s concerns but stressed that the government’s role is also significant. “This isn’t just a private loss—it’s a national one,” he said. “We all have a stake in giving our former president a fitting farewell.”
For many Zambians, the situation has been both confusing and disheartening. Two separate mourning announcements were made—one by the PF and another by the government. The official mourning venue was declared as a government-owned lodge in Lusaka, but the PF directed its supporters to gather at its party headquarters instead.
The disagreement has highlighted a glaring gap in Zambian law. “We need clear legal frameworks on how to handle the deaths of sitting or former presidents,” said constitutional lawyer John Sangwa in an interview. “But at the same time, a family’s wishes—especially those of the deceased—should take precedence.”
Lungu, who first took office in 2015, remained a central figure in Zambian politics even after his 2021 defeat. Despite initially stepping away from public life, he re-emerged as the PF’s most influential figure and was expected to run again—until Zambia’s Constitutional Court ruled that he had already served the maximum two terms allowed.
Now, the nation is left grappling with the legacy of a man who inspired both fierce loyalty and deep controversy—and with the painful reality that even in death, Zambia’s political divisions remain far from buried.
