LUSAKA – Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has officially ended the national mourning period for the late former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, following a breakdown in funeral arrangements with the Lungu family that left the nation in uncertainty for over two weeks.
The announcement came after government efforts to repatriate Lungu’s remains from South Africa collapsed at the last minute on Wednesday, despite a prior agreement between the state and family. The Zambian government had earlier planned for the body to arrive on 18 June, followed by a state funeral and burial scheduled for 23 June.
Addressing the nation, President Hichilema expressed disappointment over the family’s decision to withhold the body in defiance of the joint plan reached on 15 June during a press briefing in South Africa. The reversal disrupted arrangements made in both countries, including a full military honours ceremony prepared by the South African Defence Force.
The president extended apologies to President Cyril Ramaphosa and South Africans for the fruitless preparations, and thanked Zambia’s traditional leaders, the church, diplomats and citizens for their patience and unity throughout the standoff.
“Zambia cannot afford a state of indefinite mourning,” Hichilema said, declaring 19 June as the final day of official mourning. “Mr Lungu was not only an ordinary citizen, but our sixth Republican President. While we recognise that he belongs to a family, he also belongs to the nation.”
He reiterated that the government’s position remains that Lungu should be buried in Zambia with full honours, and left the door open for further dialogue with the family.
President Hichilema also cautioned against acts of disorder as tensions simmer, urging citizens to maintain peace and reject lawlessness during what he described as a difficult moment for the country.
Discussion about this post