Zambia is in mourning following the passing of former President Edgar Lungu at the age of 68. According to a statement by his party, the Patriotic Front (PF), Mr Lungu died on June 5 in a clinic in Pretoria, South Africa, where he had been receiving specialized medical care for an undisclosed illness.
His daughter, Tasila Lungu, confirmed his passing in a brief, emotional video, invoking the unifying national ethos, *”One Zambia, One Nation”*, to honor his legacy. Though the exact nature of his ailment remains undisclosed, Lungu previously underwent surgery for a narrowed esophagus nearly a decade ago.
Mr Lungu served as Zambia’s sixth President, ascending to the highest office in 2015 after the death of President Michael Sata. He won a subsequent full term in 2016 but was decisively defeated by Hakainde Hichilema in the 2021 general election. Although he initially retreated from political life, Lungu later made a defiant return, positioning himself as a stalwart of democracy.
However, the Constitutional Court ruled in 2023 that he had reached the legal limit of two presidential terms, barring him from contesting future elections. Despite this setback, he remained an influential figure, often challenging the policies and leadership style of his successor.
During his presidency, Edgar Lungu promoted Chinese-led infrastructure development but faced mounting criticism over economic mismanagement, rising debt, and corruption allegations surrounding his inner circle—charges he consistently denied. His political resurgence was marked by confrontations with the state, including allegations of police harassment and travel restrictions. A lawyer by profession, Lungu’s political career began in 2011 when he became a Patriotic Front MP. He swiftly climbed the ranks, holding key ministerial positions before assuming the presidency. Remembered as a disciplined public servant, devoted family man, and resilient leader, Lungu’s life traced the arc from modest beginnings to the pinnacle of Zambian politics.