Zambia ends national mourning for ex-President Lungu amid fallout with family

The late Zambian President Edgar Lungu reacts after participating in a discussion at the World Economic Forum on Africa 2017 meeting in Durban, South Africa May 4, 2017. [FILE]

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema on Thursday ended the national mourning period for former President Edgar Lungu, citing a breakdown in funeral arrangements with [Lungu’s] family.

The mourning period had been extended by nine days to allow for the repatriation of Lungu’s body from South Africa.

However, the family stopped the process, accusing the government of breaching key agreements regarding funeral plans.

“We have done everything possible to engage the family of the departed President Lungu, and we have reached a point where a clear decision has to be made. I therefore wish to inform the country that as of the end of today, June 19, this particular national mourning period is officially over,” Hichilema announced.

The president outlined the chronology of talks between Lungu’s family and the governments of Zambia and South Africa, expressing confidence that the sixth Republican president would eventually be laid to rest in Zambia.

Hichilema said the family’s decision to reverse an earlier agreement to return the body on Wednesday this week had taken Zambia by surprise.

He thanked the South African government for its support, noting that the military had prepared honors for the late president.

“The south African government prepared extensively, with military honours, mounted by the South African Defence Force, who did so in vain as the former President’s body was not availed by the family for repatriation. For this unfortunate situation, we extend our sincere apologies to President Ramaphosa, the government and the people of South Africa.”

Lungu’s family accused the Zambian government of violating undisclosed terms of their agreement and said it no longer trusted the state to honor the late president’s wishes, adding it "finds it very difficult to believe that the government will stick to their end of the agreement,” family lawyer Makebi Zulu.

“Sadly, the mortal remains of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu will not return today.”

Among Lungu’s wishes, according to the family, was that President Hichilema, his longtime political rival, not attend or come near his body.

But Hichilema noted that Lungu, as a former Head of State, belonged to the Zambian people, not just to his family.

The impasse has now sparked confusion and disappointment among Zambians, with uncertainty looming over how and when the former president will be buried.

Lungu, who served as Zambia’s president from 2015 to 2021, died earlier this month in South Africa while receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. He was initially scheduled to be buried on Monday, June 23.