Edgar Lungu, the former president of Zambia, has died at the age of 68, as announced by his party, the Patriotic Front (PF). He passed away early Thursday morning at 06:00 local time (04:00 GMT) in a clinic in Pretoria, South Africa, where he was receiving specialised treatment for an undisclosed illness.
His daughter, Tasila Lungu, confirmed the news in a brief video, stating that her father had been "under medical supervision in recent weeks". She expressed, "In this moment of grief, we invoke the spirit of ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ — the enduring principle that guided President Lungu’s service to our country."
While the specific details of his illness have not been revealed, it is known that Lungu underwent throat surgery abroad a decade ago due to a narrowing of the oesophagus.
A Decade in Power and Politics
Edgar Lungu, a trained lawyer, began his political career in 2011 when he was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Patriotic Front. He quickly advanced through the ranks, taking on several ministerial positions, including those in Home Affairs, Defence, and Justice.
In January 2015, Lungu became the President of Zambia following the death of President Michael Sata. After completing Sata's term, he won a full mandate in the 2016 election, securing just over 50% of the vote in a tight race.
Throughout his presidency, Lungu promoted Chinese investment and managed significant infrastructure development projects.
His administration encountered significant criticism due to a declining economy, high unemployment rates, and an increasing national debt. Additionally, his tenure was marred by corruption scandals involving his close associates and family members—allegations he consistently refuted. Lungu's leadership approach, along with his party's youth wing, faced accusations of stifling dissent and intimidating opposition supporters. In the 2021 general election, Lungu experienced a decisive defeat against opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, losing by nearly a million votes. Hichilema, perceived as more pro-Western, took advantage of the growing discontent with Lungu's administration.
Life After the Presidency
Following his 2021 electoral defeat, Lungu initially declared his retirement from politics. However, in 2023, he resurfaced amid growing dissatisfaction with the current administration. He voiced a renewed interest in seeking office again, but by the end of that year, Zambia’s Constitutional Court determined that he had already completed the maximum two terms allowed by law, preventing him from running in future presidential elections. Despite this ruling, Lungu continued to be a significant presence in Zambian politics and a vocal critic of President Hichilema.
He often accused the government of harassing him. In 2023, police advised him against jogging in public, describing his routine workouts as "political activism". At one point, Lungu stated that he was "virtually under house arrest", and in 2024, he alleged that he had been prevented from travelling abroad for a medical conference and treatment. The government refuted these allegations, asserting that he was free to exercise his rights.
Tributes from Across Africa
President Hakainde Hichilema expressed his condolences, calling for "solemnity, unity, and an outpouring of love and compassion." He urged Zambians to "come together as one people, transcending political affiliations and personal beliefs, to honour the life of a man who once held our nation's highest office."
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who oversaw Lungu's treatment, remarked that it was "a privilege in recent weeks to care for a leader from our region whom we embraced as a brother and friend."
Kenyan President William Ruto lauded Lungu as "a progressive and outstanding leader who served the people of Zambia with zeal and commitment."
Personal Life and Legacy
Edgar Chagwa Lungu was born on November 11, 1956. He obtained his law degree from the University of Zambia in 1981. Following this, he underwent military training at the Miltez Army College in Kabwe and held positions at several organisations, including Andre Masiye and Company Advocates, Barclays Bank, and Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines. Friends and colleagues remember him as a dedicated foot soldier, lawyer, politician, father, husband, and grandparent.
