After a period of uncertainty and negotiations, arrangements for the funeral of former Zambian president Edgar Lungu have been confirmed. Lungu, who passed away 11 days ago while receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness in South Africa, previously instructed that his political adversary, current President Hakainde Hichilema, should not approach his remains.
Despite these earlier stipulations, a family spokesperson announced that an agreement was reached with the government, permitting Hichilema to oversee the state funeral scheduled for next Sunday. This dispute had led to public confusion in Zambia regarding how to appropriately mourn their former leader.
During a joint press briefing in South Africa, Lungu family spokesperson Makebi Zulu expressed regret for any distress caused by the prolonged negotiations, emphasizing their commitment to honoring the former president’s wishes. Government representative Patrick Kangwa called for unity during this challenging period and extended gratitude to the Zambian people for their patience.
Though Lungu lost the presidential election to Hichilema in 2021 and attempted a political comeback, he was barred by the Constitutional Court due to term limit laws. Despite this, he remained a significant player in Zambian politics, frequently criticizing his successor. Last year, he made allegations of police harassment and travel restrictions, which the government denied.
Source: www.bbc.com
