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The burial of former President Edgar Lungu has been thrown into uncertainty following a deepening feud between his family and the Zambian government, sparking national debate and halting plans for a state funeral. Lungu, who died on June 5 while receiving medical treatment in South Africa, was expected to be laid to rest in Lusaka with full military honors. However, last-minute disagreements over funeral arrangements have left his remains stranded abroad and the nation in mourning limbo.
The government had finalized plans to repatriate Lungu’s body on June 18 via a private charter flight, with a state funeral scheduled for June 22 and burial the following day. But the family abruptly halted the return, accusing the government of breaching prior agreements and unilaterally altering the funeral program. Family spokesperson Makebi Zulu stated that the government released a funeral itinerary without consultation, including changes to the procession route and restrictions on public participation.
Zulu emphasized that the family could no longer trust the government to honor its commitments. “Sadly, the mortal remains of President Edgar Lungu will not return today,” he said in a statement from South Africa. The family also cited concerns over the Road Development Agency’s announcement of roadworks on the agreed funeral route and the Cabinet Secretary’s decision to limit attendees at the reception ceremony.
President Hakainde Hichilema, who had been scheduled to receive the body at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, expressed regret over the family’s decision and apologized to South African authorities who had prepared a ceremonial send-off. In a televised address, Hichilema declared an end to the national mourning period, which had been extended to 16 days in hopes of reaching consensus. “We have done everything possible to engage the family of our departed sixth president,” he said. “Zambia cannot afford a state of indefinite mourning.”
The feud has exposed lingering political tensions between Lungu’s family and the current administration. Lungu, who served as Zambia’s sixth president from 2015 to 2021, lost the 2021 election to Hichilema and later attempted a political comeback. His efforts were blocked by a Constitutional Court ruling that deemed him ineligible to run again, citing the country’s two-term limit. Despite this, Lungu remained a vocal critic of the government and a central figure in the opposition Patriotic Front (PF).
The PF has sided with the family, accusing the government of politicizing the funeral. Acting PF president Given Lubinda condemned the handling of the arrangements, saying, “This is not how we treat a former head of state.” Faith leaders have also weighed in, urging both parties to resolve the impasse with dignity and unity. Emmanuel Chikoya of the Council of Churches in Zambia called for humility and dialogue, warning that the standoff is damaging the country’s image.
As the nation awaits a resolution, the fate of Lungu’s final journey remains unclear. The family has expressed hope that his remains will eventually return to Zambia for a proper burial. In the meantime, the controversy has overshadowed what was meant to be a solemn moment of national reflection, turning it instead into a political flashpoint.