A standoff between the family of deceased former Zambian President Edgar Lungu and the government has led to the cancellation of the national mourning period and uncertainty regarding his funeral plans. President Hakainde Hichilema announced the end of mourning, stating that the family blocked the repatriation of Lungu's body from South Africa, prompting civil society's calls for dialogue and resolution.
Zambian National Mourning for Former President Disrupted by Family Dispute
Zambian National Mourning for Former President Disrupted by Family Dispute
The national mourning period for ex-President Edgar Lungu ends abruptly as controversy over burial arrangements unfolds.
Zambia's national mourning for former President Edgar Lungu has been abruptly canceled, igniting tension between his family and the government regarding his burial arrangements. President Hakainde Hichilema made this unexpected announcement, citing a need for the country to "resume normal life" after the mourning period, which was initially set from June 8 to June 14 but extended until June 23.
This change followed the dramatic cancellation of plans to repatriate Lungu's body from South Africa, where he died while receiving medical treatment. The family expressed dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the funeral arrangements, claiming that prior agreements had not been honored. They indicated hopes of repatriating Lungu's remains “some day,” leaving his burial site undetermined.
President Hichilema had initially prepared for a ceremonial return of the ex-leader’s body, complete with full military honors, and placed the circumstances of Lungu's death and subsequent funeral at a national concern. As plans unraveled, he emphasized that national mourning couldn't persist indefinitely and asserted that, as a former head of state, Lungu required a dignified burial in Zambia.
However, Lungu's family, backed by opposition party officials, criticized the government’s actions as politically motivated, calling attention to the need for respect around the funeral of a former leader. Civil society leaders echoed these sentiments, urging the need for dialogue to resolve the standoff and ensure that Lungu's memory is honored appropriately, highlighting the impact the situation is having on the country's dignity.
After serving as Zambia's sixth president from 2015 until his defeat in the 2021 elections, Lungu remained a significant figure in the country's political landscape before his death. The government has reiterated its commitment to finding a solution that respects the family’s wishes while addressing the public’s need for closure.
This change followed the dramatic cancellation of plans to repatriate Lungu's body from South Africa, where he died while receiving medical treatment. The family expressed dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the funeral arrangements, claiming that prior agreements had not been honored. They indicated hopes of repatriating Lungu's remains “some day,” leaving his burial site undetermined.
President Hichilema had initially prepared for a ceremonial return of the ex-leader’s body, complete with full military honors, and placed the circumstances of Lungu's death and subsequent funeral at a national concern. As plans unraveled, he emphasized that national mourning couldn't persist indefinitely and asserted that, as a former head of state, Lungu required a dignified burial in Zambia.
However, Lungu's family, backed by opposition party officials, criticized the government’s actions as politically motivated, calling attention to the need for respect around the funeral of a former leader. Civil society leaders echoed these sentiments, urging the need for dialogue to resolve the standoff and ensure that Lungu's memory is honored appropriately, highlighting the impact the situation is having on the country's dignity.
After serving as Zambia's sixth president from 2015 until his defeat in the 2021 elections, Lungu remained a significant figure in the country's political landscape before his death. The government has reiterated its commitment to finding a solution that respects the family’s wishes while addressing the public’s need for closure.
