A serious disagreement has erupted in Zambia over the burial of former president Edgar Lungu, after the government took custody of his body despite objections from his family.
Lungu passed away last August in South Africa, where he had been receiving medical treatment. His remains were being kept in Pretoria, but Zambian authorities have now moved them, saying they have the legal right to do so.
The government wants to bring his body back to Zambia for an official state funeral. However, Lungu’s family strongly disagrees. They say he wished for a private ceremony instead—and specifically did not want his political rival, current president Hakainde Hichilema, to be involved.
This tension is rooted in a long and difficult political history between the two men. Lungu led the country from 2015 to 2021 before losing power to Hichilema. During that time, Hichilema had been arrested and charged with treason under Lungu’s administration, though the charges were later dropped after international pressure.
A South African court had earlier supported Zambia’s government, ruling that Lungu’s body should be returned home. Still, the family insists that a more recent court order supports their position, adding to the confusion and conflict.
In simple terms, this is not just about where Lungu will be buried—it’s also about politics, personal history, and respect for his final wishes.
