Lungu, Zambia’s sixth president, died on June 5 while undergoing medical treatment in South Africa. The government has declared seven days of national mourning to honour his legacy and service.
In a formal announcement made on Saturday, Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa stated that President Hakainde Hichilema had accorded a full state funeral to honour his predecessor, who led Zambia from January 2015 until August 2021.
“The Government of the Republic of Zambia wishes to inform the nation that His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema has accorded a State Funeral to the sixth President, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who died on 5th June, 2025,” Kangwa said in the official statement.
As part of the national mourning, all Zambian flags will be flown at half-mast from June 8 through June 14. During this period, entertainment-related events and activities across the country are to be suspended, as the nation reflects on the life and legacy of the late president.
The former president’s body is expected to be repatriated from South Africa on Wednesday, June 11. Upon its arrival in Lusaka, Belvedere Lodge has been designated as the official place of mourning, where close family members, political leaders, dignitaries, and members of the public will be able to pay their respects.
According to the Patriotic Front (PF), the political party under which Lungu served as president, he was undergoing specialised medical treatment at a clinic in Pretoria at the time of his death. Lungu had reportedly been battling achalasia, a chronic and rare disorder of the oesophagus that causes difficulty in swallowing and persistent discomfort.
Despite his health struggles, Lungu remained active in Zambian political discourse even after leaving office, frequently addressing national issues and advocating for peace and unity.
Born on November 11, 1956, Edgar Lungu began his professional career as a lawyer after graduating from the University of Zambia with a law degree. He later joined politics and rose through the ranks of the Patriotic Front, eventually succeeding the late President Michael Sata after his death in 2014.
Lungu was elected President of Zambia in January 2015, winning a tightly contested by-election. He was re-elected in 2016 and governed the country through a period marked by both economic challenges and infrastructure expansion. His administration faced criticism over rising national debt, inflation, and concerns regarding press freedom and civil liberties, but he was also credited with ambitious road, hospital, and school construction projects aimed at improving the country’s infrastructure.
Zambia Declares Seven Days of National Mourning for Late Former President Edgar Lungu
In August 2021, Lungu lost the general election to opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND), ending his six-year presidency. Following his defeat, Lungu stepped back from frontline politics but remained an influential figure within the Patriotic Front.
Reactions to his death have poured in from across the political spectrum, with both allies and former rivals expressing their condolences. President Hichilema described Lungu’s death as a significant loss to the nation and emphasized the importance of honouring his contribution to Zambia’s democratic journey.
“President Lungu served our country with dedication. Regardless of political differences, we must recognize the role he played in shaping the history of our nation,” Hichilema said in a brief address.
Former colleagues and members of the PF have also spoken highly of Lungu’s leadership and his efforts to maintain peace in the country during turbulent times. Many citizens have taken to social media to share their memories of the former leader, expressing gratitude for his service and mourning the sudden loss.
As Zambia prepares for the arrival of Lungu’s remains and the state funeral that will follow, the mood across the country is somber. Citizens are expected to gather in large numbers over the coming days to pay tribute to the man who once held the nation’s highest office.
Details regarding the funeral procession and burial arrangements will be announced in due course by the government.
