Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu dies at 68 in South Africa

Zambia’s former President Edgar Lungu has died at the age of 68 while receiving treatment in South Africa, his family has confirmed.

Lungu, who served as the country’s sixth president from 2015 to 2021, passed away early Thursday morning, marking the end of a political career that spanned over two decades and left a lasting imprint on Zambia’s governance and democratic journey.

His daughter, Tasila Lungu, confirmed his passing in a video posted on the Facebook page of the Patriotic Front (PF) party, the political outfit he led before his demise.

While she did not disclose the exact cause of death, she mentioned that he had been receiving treatment privately for some time and had received support from well-wishers throughout his illness.

"Fellow Zambians, it is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of His Excellency Dr Edgar Lungu, the sixth President of the Republic of Zambia, who departed this morning at 0600 hours at Medipharm clinic in South Africa," Tasila said.

"My father, President Lungu, had been under supervision in recent weeks. His condition was managed with dignity and support from well-wishers."

She added that her father's funeral arrangements will be communicated in due time.

"In this time of grief, we invoke the spirit of one Zambia, one nation - the timeless creed that guided President Lungu's service to our country. In time, the nation will be informed of other arrangements," said Tasila.

Political career

Lungu's political career began with his entry into the Patriotic Front in the early 2000s.

He was first appointed as Minister of Home Affairs in July 2012 and later served as Minister of Defence from December 24, 2013.

After the death of then-President Michael Sata in October 2014, Lungu became the PF's presidential candidate and won a closely contested by-election in January 2015.

He was officially sworn in as Zambia's sixth president on January 25, 2015, and secured a full five-year term in the 2016 elections

During his time in office, he oversaw constitutional reforms and presided over a period marked by economic turbulence, including a sharp decline in the value of the Zambian kwacha. His administration was also noted for appointing Zambia's first female vice president, Inonge Wina.

In the 2021 general election, Lungu was defeated by opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, after which he conceded power.

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In late 2024, Zambia's Constitutional Court ruled that he was ineligible to run for office again, effectively ending any potential political comeback.