Edgar Lungu: The mourning of the former President of Zambia is canceled the family decides to bury him in South Africa

• The body of the late Edgar Lungu will be buried in South Africa, apart from his country of origin, Zambia
• The former president of Zambia, who died of an unknown disease, was originally expected to be buried in Lusaka this Sunday, June 22
• His family, however, opposed the government’s involvement in the funeral plan, deciding to bury Johannesburg

Lusaka – An unexpected situation has rocked the funeral of the former President of Zambia, not Edgar Lungu, while his family has now decided to bury him in South Africa.

Why was Edgar Lungu buried in South Africa?

The BBC reported that President Hakainde Hichilema’s government stopped national mourning after the deceased’s family opposed the government’s involvement in funeral arrangements.

They refused to return the body of the deceased in Zambia before it was transported to the capital of Lusaka this Sunday, June 22.

In an official statement, Lungu’s family said it would announce funeral arrangements later, and that he would be buried in Johannesburg for “peace and dignity”.

“We would like to announce that the funeral and funeral of our beloved Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu will be held here in South Africa, according to the family’s wishes for a personal occasion,” Family spokesman Maiti Zulu was quoted as saying.

The family expressed his gratitude to the South African government for not interfering with the plans.

Lungu’s political party, Patriotic Front, also participated in the family’s decision, accusing the government of turning the funeral into a political exhibition.

How much was Edgar Lungu’s mourning time?

Following the family’s decision, Hichilema ended the national mourning period scheduled for June 8 and 23, saying the nation would not be stuck in a “indefinite mourning”.

The president, however, said the government would be ready for further negotiations if needed by the family, emphasizing the deceased deserves respect in his country.

“Our country cannot afford an unknown time of mourning. We have done everything possible to involve the family of our departed Republican President, and we have reached a point where a clear decision should be made. Given this context, so I would like He also belongs to the Nation of Zambia, ” You mentioned the presidential message in part.

Due to his status as the former head of the country, the time of Lungu’s mourning in Zambia would be characterized by a national flag to fly half mast nationwide by diplomatic embassies abroad.

He also had to receive military honor when his body landed in Lusaka last Wednesday, June 18.

Edgar Lungu wrote on his will

The family’s strong action to remain with the body in South Africa has come a few days after it was revealed that Lungu in his will explained that the current president should not attend his funeral, or at least not see his body if he insisted on being there.

The two were major political opponents.

Lungu, who died at the age of 68, led Zambia for one term, between 2015 and 2021, where he was followed by Hichilema, who struggled to find the seat for many unsuccessful trials.

Their competition crossed to the era of Hichilema, the final festival was last year when his government prevented Lungu from flying to South Africa for special treatment.

In addition, Hichilema banned Lungu from running for president after the president appeared to plan to grab the seat in the presidential election next year.

LEADERSHIP CALLED EDGAR Lungu

Although it was supposed to be an emergency when Lungu died, due to his status, the Lusaka government seemed to be shaken.

Hichilema, through the X forum, delivered his shortest condolences and announced days of national mourning.

“We apologize to the family and friends of the sixth president of Zambia, Hon Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who died today. His soul rest in a safe place in paradise,” He said.

President William Ruto The Kenyan was one of the heads of African countries who quickly cried for Lungu.

Ruto praised the fallen leader as a dedicated man who served his country hard and dedicated to Zambia’s well -being.

Former president of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta also praised Lungu as “A prominent politician who served his country with dedication, respect, humility, wisdom and unstable faith.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also mourned, proud of his country by welcoming Lungu to his sunset days for treatment.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke