Zambia is mourning the loss of its former leader, Edgar Lungu, who passed away at the age of 68, according to a statement from his party, the Patriotic Front (PF). Lungu had been receiving specialized medical treatment in South Africa for an undisclosed illness.
Lungu served as Zambia’s president from 2015 until 2021, when he was defeated by the current leader, Hakainde Hichilema, in a decisive electoral loss. Following the defeat, Lungu briefly stepped away from politics but later returned, aspiring to run for office again. However, Zambia’s Constitutional Court ruled against his candidacy, stating that he had already served the maximum two terms permitted by law.
Despite his disqualification from the presidency, Lungu remained a central figure in Zambian politics, frequently critiquing his successor. His daughter, Tasila, announced in a short video that the former president had passed away early Thursday morning at a clinic in Pretoria, South Africa. She described him as having been under medical supervision in recent weeks and called for unity, invoking Zambia’s national motto: “One Zambia, One Nation.”
While officials have not disclosed details of his condition, it is known that Lungu underwent throat surgery a decade ago due to a narrowing of his oesophagus. Leaders across Africa expressed condolences, including Zambian President Hichilema, who called for unity beyond political affiliations, and South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, who described it as a privilege to have cared for Lungu in his final weeks.
Lungu first rose to the presidency in 2015 after the sudden passing of President Michael Sata. He later won a full five-year term in 2016 but faced criticism over economic challenges, high unemployment, and rising debt. His tenure was also marred by allegations of corruption and political harassment by his party’s youth wing—accusations he strongly denied.
Although he announced his retirement in 2021, Lungu made a political comeback in 2023 as dissatisfaction with the current government grew. He accused authorities of restricting his movements, claiming he had been “virtually under house arrest.” However, the Zambian government denied these claims.
Born in 1956, Lungu trained as a lawyer and quickly climbed the ranks of government after entering politics in 2011. He held several key ministerial positions before securing the presidency. Described by close associates as a “dedicated foot-soldier,” his legacy remains deeply woven into Zambia’s political fabric.
As Zambia comes to terms with his passing, his supporters remember him as a determined leader who championed the nation’s interests on the global stage.
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