After several days of uncertainty and negotiations, arrangements for the funeral of the former Zambian president were finalized.
Edgar Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, died 11 days ago in South Africa and was treated for undisclosed illness.
According to his family, he left behind a directive to his political rival and current President Hakad Hichilema “should not go anywhere near his body.”
But a spokesman for the Lungu family confirmed that a deal has been reached with the government that allows Hichilema to host a state funeral next Sunday.
The tour attracted some people in Zambia, and people wondered how they should mourn their former leaders.
After several days of talks, the Lungu family and government have agreed:
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The body of the former president will fly to the Zambian capital Lusaka on a private charter plane on Wednesday
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Upon arrival at the airport, the family will receive the body and will then have full military honors
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It will then be shipped to Lungu's residence in Lusaka
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Three days, starting on Thursday, will be brought to the capital's convention center, where the public can pay tribute to their respect
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The state funeral will be held on Sunday, June 22, with formal mourning the next day.
The former president will be buried next Monday, but it is unclear whether he will be buried in the official presidential cemetery or in his residence.
“The inconvenience and pain that lasting negotiations can cause due to inconvenience and pain, but we are doing everything we can to honor the personal blessing of the former president,” said Lungu family spokesman Makebi Zulu, alongside Zambia's cabinet secretary, in a joint press conference in South Africa.
Mr Zulu also said the family was moving forward that the government “will not deviate from our agreement”.
Mr. Kangwa made an appeal to the government while speaking to the government and thanked the Zambians for their patience “in this difficult time”.
After six years in Toutu, Lungu lost the election with a big profit in the 2021 election.
After that failure, he stepped back from politics, but later returned to the battlefield.
He had the ambition to fight for the presidency again, but at the end of last year the Constitutional Court banned him from running, ruling that he had appointed up to two terms allowed by law.
Despite his disqualification in the presidential election, he still has a huge influence in Zambian politics and has not stopped his criticism of his successor.
Last year, Lungu complained about police harassment and accused authorities of effectively arresting him. He also said he was prevented from leaving the country. The government denies both charges.
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