LUSAKA, Zambia (AP) — Edgar Lungu, the former President of Zambia who led the southern African nation from 2015 to 2021, has died at the age of 68. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Tasila Lungu-Mwansa, in a video message shared on the official Facebook page of the Patriotic Front, the political party under which he served as head of state.
According to Lungu-Mwansa, her father passed away in a hospital in South Africa, where he had been receiving medical care. She stated that he had been under medical supervision for some time, but did not disclose the specific illness or cause of death. The somber video, which showed her visibly emotional, quickly circulated on social media and prompted an outpouring of condolences from political figures and ordinary citizens alike.
Edgar Chagwa Lungu assumed the presidency of Zambia in January 2015, following the untimely death of then-President Michael Sata. Edgar Lungu, who was serving as Minister of Defense and Justice at the time, was selected by the ruling Patriotic Front to run in the special election held to complete Sata’s unfinished term. He narrowly defeated opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, marking the beginning of his presidency.
In 2016, Edgar Lungu secured a full five-year term after defeating Hichilema once again in a hotly contested general election. During his tenure, Edgar Lungu was known for his infrastructure development efforts, including major roadworks and energy projects. However, his administration was also heavily criticized for mounting national debt, shrinking democratic space, and allegations of corruption.
Lungu’s time in office was marked by both domestic and international scrutiny. Human rights organizations frequently accused his government of cracking down on dissent and opposition voices. Under his leadership, Zambia’s reputation as a stable democracy was tested by the arrests of opposition leaders, suppression of media, and controversial use of security forces.
Despite these controversies, Lungu remained a central figure in Zambian politics after leaving office. His political comeback efforts gained momentum in recent years, with speculation that he would challenge President Hichilema once again in the 2026 elections. However, in 2023, Zambia’s Constitutional Court ruled that Lungu was ineligible to contest for the presidency, stating that his initial term from 2015 to 2016 was to be considered a full term. According to the country’s constitution, a person may only serve two full presidential terms.
The court’s decision was a major blow to Lungu and his supporters, many of whom viewed it as politically motivated. Lungu publicly alleged that the judiciary had been compromised and that the ruling was influenced by political interference aimed at permanently sidelining him from public life. His accusations further deepened political tensions between the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front.
Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu Dies at 68
In the months following the court ruling,Edgar Lungu claimed that his movements were being closely monitored by Zambian law enforcement. He stated in public remarks that he was effectively under house arrest, as police had surrounded his residence and allegedly restricted his ability to travel or engage in political activities. The police, for their part, responded that monitoring former presidents was a routine security measure implemented to ensure their safety, not to limit their freedoms.
Lungu’s later years were further clouded by investigations into corruption involving members of his family, including his wife. Authorities launched several probes into alleged illicit activities during his time in office, though Lungu and his allies frequently described these investigations as part of a broader campaign to tarnish his legacy.
Despite the controversies, Edgar Lungu retained significant support among segments of the Zambian population, particularly those who credited him with infrastructure development and improving rural access to basic services. His death marks the end of an era for the Patriotic Front, which has struggled to regain power since his 2021 defeat by Hichilema.
Tributes have begun pouring in from both domestic and international leaders, who remembered Lungu for his service to Zambia and his role in shaping the nation’s recent political history. The government is expected to announce official funeral arrangements and a period of national mourning in the coming days.
As Zambia reflects on the legacy of its sixth president, the country remains divided on how his contributions and controversies will be remembered. Nonetheless, Edgar Lungu’s impact on Zambia’s political landscape over the last decade is undeniable.
