Zambia’s mourning for Edgar Lungu ends abruptly as funeral dispute divides nation

Zambia finds itself caught in a tense and emotional battle as President Hakainde Hichilema suddenly called off the national mourning period for former President Edgar Lungu on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

The decision comes amid a growing dispute between Lungu’s family and government officials over how and when the former leader should be laid to rest.

The drama unfolded last week when the return of Lungu’s body from South Africa was unexpectedly blocked by his own family, leaving many Zambians wondering when and where the former president would be buried.

This last-minute cancellation stunned the nation and cast uncertainty over a carefully planned farewell.

In a firm address on Thursday evening, President Hichilema announced an immediate halt to the national mourning, urging the country to “resume normal life” after weeks of reflection and grief.

“The government has done everything possible to engage with the family of our departed sixth president,” he said, signaling frustration with the stalemate.

Originally, Zambia had declared a national mourning period from June 8 to June 14 to honor Lungu, with flags flying at half-mast and solemn music playing on radio stations.

But this was extended to June 23 in hopes that the government and Lungu’s family could reach an agreement on the funeral arrangements.

Plans for the former leader’s homecoming had been moving ahead smoothly.

His remains were set to arrive on a private charter flight on Wednesday, greeted by President Hichilema and senior officials with full military honors.

A public lying-in-state at Lungu’s residence was scheduled, followed by a state funeral on Sunday and burial on Monday.

However, the family’s unexpected refusal to allow the body’s repatriation threw these plans into chaos.

They claimed the government had broken its promises regarding the funeral, and stated they hoped to repatriate Lungu’s remains “some day” and ensure he was buried on Zambian soil.

The government expressed deep regret over the family’s last-minute move, extending apologies to the South African authorities and military who had prepared to hand over the former president’s body.

“It is unfortunate that their efforts were in vain,” Hichilema lamented.

The president emphasized that Edgar Lungu, as a former head of state, belongs to the entire Zambian nation and deserves to be buried in his homeland with full honors, not in any other country.

He warned that the country could not remain in a state of indefinite mourning, insisting that a clear decision must be made.

The opposition Patriotic Front (PF), the party Lungu led until his passing, sided with the family, accusing the government of politicizing the solemn occasion.

PF’s acting president, Given Lubinda, said, “This is not how we treat a former head of state.”

Their criticism highlights the deep political undercurrents surrounding the dispute.

Meanwhile, voices from civil society and religious communities have called for calm and resolution.

Leaders of churches and NGOs fear the ongoing standoff is damaging Zambia’s dignity and unity.

Emmanuel Chikoya, head of the Council of Churches in Zambia, urged both sides to show humility and engage in dialogue to honor Lungu’s memory while keeping the nation united.

Throughout this turmoil, the government has appealed for peace and reaffirmed its willingness to continue talks with the family, hoping to break the deadlock.

Edgar Lungu’s political journey was marked by both triumph and controversy.

He led Zambia from 2015 until 2021, when he was decisively defeated by Hichilema in a landmark election.

After losing power, Lungu stepped back but soon returned to the political stage with ambitions to run for president again.

However, at the end of 2024, Zambia’s Constitutional Court ruled him ineligible to run, stating he had already served the maximum two terms allowed under the law.

Despite this setback, Lungu remained a formidable political figure, often outspoken against the current administration.

His death earlier this month in South Africa, where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness, was a shock to many.

It sparked an outpouring of grief across Zambia, a nation still grappling with the legacy of its former leader and the political tensions surrounding his passing.

As Zambia now navigates this complex and sensitive moment, the nation watches closely.

Observers are asking: Will the family and government find common ground?

Or will this standoff deepen political divisions in a country yearning for unity and healing?

What’s clear is that Edgar Lungu’s legacy continues to shape Zambia’s political landscape, long after his final days.

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