Zambian ex-president's household settle funeral row with authorities

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After days of uncertainty and negotiations, the funeral preparations for Zambia’s former president have been finalised.

Edgar Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, died 11 days in the past in South Africa the place he was receiving therapy for an undisclosed sickness.

In accordance with his household, he had left directions that his political rival and present President Hakainde Hichilema “shouldn’t come wherever close to his physique”.

However a spokesperson for the Lungu household confirmed that an settlement had been reached with the federal government that allowed for Hichilema to preside over a state funeral subsequent Sunday.

The row triggered consternation amongst some in Zambia with folks left questioning how they need to mourn their former chief.

After days of talks, the Lungu household and the federal government have agreed that:

The previous president’s physique will probably be flown to the Zambian capital, Lusaka, on Wednesday on a non-public constitution aircraft
On arrival on the airport, the physique will probably be obtained by the household after which there will probably be full navy honours
It’ll then be transported to Lungu’s residence in Lusaka the place it is going to lie in state
For 3 days, beginning on Thursday, will probably be taken to a convention centre within the capital the place the general public will pay their respects
A state funeral will probably be held on Sunday 22 June with official mourning ending the next day.

The previous president will probably be buried subsequent Monday however it’s not but clear whether or not he will probably be interred on the official presidential burial grounds or at his residence.

At a joint press briefing in South Africa, Lungu household spokesperson Makebi Zulu, sitting alongside Secretary to Zambia’s Cupboard Patrick Kangwa, mentioned the household apologised “for the inconvenience and ache that the protracted negotiations could have triggered however we have been doing our greatest to honour the previous president’s private needs”.

Mr Zulu additionally mentioned that the household was continuing on the premise that the federal government would “not deviate from our settlement”.

Talking for the federal government, Mr Kangwa appealed for unity and thanked Zambians for his or her persistence “throughout this troublesome time”.

After six years as head state, Lungu misplaced the 2021 election to Hichilema by a big margin.

After that defeat he stepped again from politics however later returned to the fray.

He had ambitions to vie for the presidency once more however on the finish of final yr the Constitutional Court docket barred him from operating, ruling that he had already served the utmost two phrases allowed by regulation.

Regardless of his disqualification from the presidential election, he remained massively influential in Zambian politics and didn’t maintain again in his criticism of his successor.

Final yr, Lungu complained of police harassment and accused the authorities of successfully placing him below home arrest. He additionally mentioned he had been prevented from leaving the nation. The federal government denied each accusations.