A power struggle has erupted in Zambia over funeral arrangements for former President Edgar Lungu, who died on Thursday, aged 68, while receiving medical treatment in South Africa. The dispute involves the government, Lungu’s family, and his political party, the Patriotic Front (PF), and has left the nation in uncertainty over how to honour its sixth president. Lungu, who served from 2015 to 2021, remained politically influential even after leaving office. His death has shocked the country, where public mourning is deeply rooted in Christian traditions. Radio stations have been broadcasting gospel music in his honour, while the government declared a seven-day national mourning period. However, the PF had already declared its own period of mourning, leading to confusion and competing memorial arrangements.
The government announced plans for a state funeral and designated a state-owned lodge in Lusaka as the official mourning venue. However, the PF rejected this plan and directed supporters to gather at the party’s headquarters. The party has also opened its own condolence book, competing with the government’s official one. Further tensions arose over the repatriation of Lungu’s remains. The government initially planned to fly his body back under full military honours, but the PF and the Lungu family insisted on coordinating the return themselves. According to family lawyer Makebi Zulu, the government acted as if the family had no say, escalating the standoff.
A private memorial service was held on Tuesday in Pretoria, South Africa, organized by the PF and attended by Lungu’s widow and daughter. The late president’s body was expected to be flown to Lusaka on Wednesday, but plans were delayed amid ongoing negotiations between the family and government.
The funeral dispute reflects a deep-rooted political rivalry between Lungu and his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema. Lungu’s family and supporters allege that his deteriorating health was worsened by restrictions that prevented him from traveling for medical care—an accusation the government denies. Government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa dismissed the claims, accusing the PF of using Lungu’s death to gain political mileage. He said the state has constitutional authority over the burial of former presidents, referencing a 2021 case where the government overruled the family of Zambia’s first president, Kenneth Kaunda, on burial location.
Similar funeral controversies have played out across Africa. The families of Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, Angola’s José Eduardo dos Santos, and Ghana’s former presidents have all clashed with state authorities over funeral and burial plans—with the state ultimately prevailing in most cases. As negotiations continue, Lungu’s official return and burial remain uncertain. For now, Zambia remains a nation in mourning—without consensus on how to bid farewell to one of its most polarizing leaders.
