Despite Edgar Lungu's passing, political tensions in Zambia escalate over his burial rights, with family and government at odds over his final resting place.
Political Hostility Clouds Funeral Arrangements for Zambia's Edgar Lungu
Political Hostility Clouds Funeral Arrangements for Zambia's Edgar Lungu
The rivalry between President Hakainde Hichilema and former President Edgar Lungu extends to funeral plans as disagreements arise.
The political rivalry in Zambia continues to reverberate even in the wake of former president Edgar Lungu’s death. Lungu, who passed away three and a half weeks ago at the age of 68, remains unburied due to a contentious dispute between his family and the current administration led by President Hakainde Hichilema.
For years, Hichilema and Lungu were embroiled in a bitter feud, which included political arrests and police raids at each other's homes during their terms in office. The animosity peaked after Hichilema’s government stripped Lungu of retirement benefits, invoking legal grounds that argued Lungu’s return to politics disqualified him from receiving such entitlements.
Now, as funeral arrangements loom, the conflict has escalated further. Hichilema has declared a state funeral for Lungu in Zambia, but Lungu’s family insists he wished to be buried in South Africa, where he passed away after medical treatment. A recent court ruling in South Africa paused family plans, following a legal challenge from the Zambian government aimed at preventing a burial outside the country.
Makebi Zulu, spokesperson for Lungu’s family, articulated their desire to provide the late president with a respectful burial, free from political theatrics or international scrutiny. Their statement reflects the complicated nature of honoring a leader who was at the center of political turmoil in Zambia.
As the legal process unfolds, the former president’s funeral remains a reflection of the enduring political strife in Zambia, where rivalries can overshadow even the most fundamental human experiences.
