By Jane Chanda
President Hakainde Hichilema has announced that the national mourning period for former President Edgar Lungu has officially come to an end, effective June 19, 2025, due to the family’s refusal to comply with agreements for a state funeral.
In a statement yesterday, President Hichilema expressed gratitude to the church, traditional leaders, and citizens for their moral and spiritual guidance during the mourning period.
He also thanked envoys, including former vice-president Enock Kavindele and Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe and Secretary to Cabinet Patrick Kangwa, for their efforts in resolving the impasse over the state funeral.
The President revealed that a mutual understanding was reached with the family on June 15, 2025, and a joint press briefing was held in South Africa. However, the family reversed their decision, and the former president’s body was not availed for repatriation.
He said at the government’s request, the South African government prepared extensively with military honours, mounted by the South African defence force, who he said did so in vain as the former president’s body was not availed by the family for repatriation
“For this unfortunate situation, we extend our sincere apologies to President (Cyril) Ramaphosa, the Government, and the people of South Africa,” President Hichilema said. “Our country cannot afford a state of indefinite mourning. We have done everything possible to engage the family of our departed 6th Republican President, and we have reached a point where a clear decision has to be made. Given these circumstances, I therefore wish to inform the nation, that as of the end of today the 19th of June 2025, this particular national mourning is officially over. This will allow the country to begin to return to some normalcy.”
He emphasised that while it was recognised that Lungu belonged to the family, the former president also belonged to the nation of Zambia and should be buried with full honors in Zambia, not in any other nation. He urged citizens to maintain calm and orderliness and reiterated that no amount of lawlessness will be tolerated during this difficult time.
“Let us remain united as a nation and maintain the peace we are known for,” said President Hichilema. “In this spirit, we say to the Lungu family, and indeed the people of Zambia, our hearts remain with you. Our doors, as Government, remain open for further engagement, as appropriate.”
He further prayed for the soul of former President Lungu.
