What we know about the death of Zambia’s former President Edgar Lungu: summary

Zambia's President Edgar Chagwa Lungu addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S.

FILE PHOTO: Zambia's President Edgar Chagwa Lungu addresses the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo

Source: REUTERS

What we know

Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu died on Thursday, 5th June, at the age of 68 at a medical centre in South Africa, according to his political party, the Patriotic Front.
Lungu served as President of Zambia from 2015 until 2021, after succeeding the late Michael Sata and winning a subsequent election.
He lost the 2021 presidential election to opposition leader and current President Hakainde Hichilema.
The Patriotic Front announced his death in a statement posted on Facebook.
A video of Lungu’s daughter, Tasila Lungu—also a member of parliament—was shared on the party’s page, confirming his passing.
Following his electoral defeat, Lungu retired from politics but returned in 2023 as the leader and presidential candidate of an alliance including the Patriotic Front.
In December 2023, Zambia’s constitutional court ruled that he was ineligible to run for another term.

What they said

“The former president, who has been receiving specialised treatment in South Africa, died today on Thursday, 5th June,” the Patriotic Front’s statement on Facebook said. Tasila Lungu, in the video announcing the former Zambian leader’s death, added, “My father… had been under medical supervision in recent weeks. This condition was managed with dignity and privacy.”

Edward Sakyi [email protected]