By Samuel Njoroge
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has died at the age of 68, his party, the Patriotic Front (PF), announced in a statement on Thursday. Lungu had been receiving specialized medical treatment in South Africa for an undisclosed illness.
Lungu led Zambia for six years, beginning in 2015, before losing the 2021 election by a significant margin to the current President, Hakainde Hichilema. Following his defeat, Lungu initially stepped back from politics but later returned, harboring ambitions to vie for the presidency once again. However, the Constitutional Court barred him from running late last year, ruling that he had already served the maximum two terms allowed by law.
Despite being disqualified from running again, Lungu remained a highly influential figure in Zambian politics and frequently criticized his successor.
In a brief video statement, Lungu’s daughter, Tasila Lungu, revealed that the former head of state had been “under medical supervision in recent weeks” and passed away at a clinic in Pretoria, South Africa, at 06:00 (04:00 GMT) on Thursday.
“In this moment of grief, we invoke the spirit of ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ – the timeless creed that guided President Lungu’s service to our country,” Tasila said emotionally.
While the specific nature of Lungu’s illness was not disclosed, it was known that he underwent throat surgery abroad a decade ago for a narrowing of the oesophagus.
President Hakainde Hichilema issued a statement expressing his condolences and calling for national unity. “Let us come together as one people, above political affiliation or personal conviction, to honour the life of a man who once held the highest office in our land,” he said. Hichilema also urged Zambians to observe “solemnity, unity and an outpouring of love and compassion” during this period of mourning.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose country provided medical care for Lungu, described it as a “privilege in recent weeks to care for a leader from our region whom we embraced as a brother and friend. We therefore share the grief and loss experienced.”
Kenyan President William Ruto also offered his condolences, describing Lungu as a “progressive and outstanding leader who served the people of Zambia with zeal and commitment.”
Details regarding funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. The death of Edgar Lungu marks the end of a significant chapter in Zambian politics and prompts reflection on his leadership and legacy.
