Following disagreements with Zambian officials, the family of former President Edgar Lungu has announced that he will be buried in South Africa. President Hakainde Hichilema ended the national mourning period, asserting that Lungu should be honored in Zambia, but the family insists on a private ceremony abroad, leading to major political tensions.
Controversy Surrounds Burial of Zambia's Ex-President as Family Opts for South Africa
Controversy Surrounds Burial of Zambia's Ex-President as Family Opts for South Africa
The late Edgar Lungu's funeral arrangements have been marred by disputes between his family and the Zambian government, leading to a historic burial decision in South Africa.
The family of Zambia's former president, Edgar Lungu, has decided to hold his burial in South Africa after a dispute with the Zambian government regarding his funeral arrangements sparked controversy. Following the family's refusal to allow Lungu's remains to be repatriated from South Africa, President Hakainde Hichilema announced a sudden end to the national mourning period, which had originally been set to commemorate Lungu's passing.
Initially scheduled for a state funeral in Lusaka this Sunday, the plans unraveled after Lungu's family insisted on honoring his wishes for a private ceremony. Family spokesperson Makebi Zulu confirmed that the burial would take place in Johannesburg, an unprecedented move for a former head of state of another country.
In a statement, Zulu expressed gratitude to the South African government for respecting the family's decision amid a deeply emotional time. Nevertheless, President Hichilema emphasized that Lungu, having served as Zambia's president from 2015 until 2021, deserved to be buried with full honors in his own country. The president indicated that negotiations with Lungu's family had been attempted, but ultimately failed.
The discord over Lungu's funeral arrangements devolved into a political debacle, with opposition leaders and civil society groups urging for reconciliation. Acting president of the Patriotic Front (PF), which Lungu led, criticized the government's handling of the situation, calling it a "political game" rather than a respectful farewell for a former leader.
As calls for dialogue intensified from various religious and civil organizations, the tension casts a shadow over Zambia's political landscape, which has already been affected by Lungu's contentious legacy. After being defeated by Hichilema in the 2021 elections, Lungu stepped back from frontline politics but remained an influential figure until his passing from an undisclosed illness earlier this month.
The situation continues to evolve, with the family expected to announce a burial date soon, leaving the Zambian public anxiously awaiting a resolution to this unprecedented diplomatic rupture.
