The death of former President Edgar Lungu has intensified the longstanding rivalry with current President Hakainde Hichilema, as disagreements over funeral arrangements reveal a fraught political landscape in Zambia.
Zambia's Political Rivalry Complicates Former President Lungu's Funeral
Zambia's Political Rivalry Complicates Former President Lungu's Funeral
Tensions between President Hakainde Hichilema and the family of the late Edgar Lungu highlight deep political divides in Zambia, stalling burial plans.
President Hakainde Hichilema and former President Edgar Lungu’s turbulent political rivalry has manifested even after Lungu’s death, complicating his funeral arrangements. The two leaders have exchanged fierce criticisms over the years, and their contentious history continues to influence the decisions surrounding Lungu’s burial.
Edgar Lungu, who passed away at 68 after receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness, has yet to be interred as his family and the current government clash over the nature of his funeral. Hichilema’s administration has called for a state funeral, which Lungu's family argues contradicts the late president’s wishes to keep his political rival distanced from the ceremonies. They propose a funeral in South Africa, where Lungu died, but efforts have encountered legal challenges.
Last week, a South African court intervened following a lawsuit from the Zambian government contesting the family’s burial plans. The court has paused any proceedings until this dispute is resolved, leaving the family anxious for a dignified farewell that is free from political ceremonialism and public relations manipulation.
Makebi Zulu, a representative for Lungu's family, emphasized their desire to avoid a funeral "shrouded in mockery"–an indication of how deeply the rivalry has affected perceptions and sentiments surrounding Lungu's legacy and final arrangements.
