Escalating feud over Zambian ex-president's funeral Who has rightful claim to deceased leader’s body — nation or family?

The head of state serves as the highest representative of a nation, embodying both its unity and identity domestically and internationally. This role carries the expectation that the individual will uphold national values and advocate for the people's interests. Often, the head of state—whether a monarch or president—enjoys a more personal connection with the public than the head of government. However, this bond is now being challenged in Zambia, where the family of late President Edgar Lungu is embroiled in a public dispute with the state over his burial following his June 5 death abroad.

The Zambian government submitted legal documents aiming to block Lungu’s private burial in South Africa, where he passed away from an undisclosed illness at the age of 68. A court hearing was held about an hour before the scheduled funeral service was to begin on June 25, with Zambian national broadcaster ZNBC announcing later that day that the service was stopped from taking place.

The government insists on holding a state funeral for Lungu in Zambia, in line with national law and public expectations. Yet, his family has opposed this, citing Lungu’s intense political feud with current President Hakainde Hichilema.

Twice, the planned state funeral for Lungu—who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021—was cancelled due to conflicts over burial arrangements. According to the family and their legal team, Lungu had expressly instructed that Hichilema should not attend his funeral. In contrast, government officials said the president was set to preside over the ceremony. Family attorney Makebi Zulu asserted that Lungu had made it clear he did not want Hichilema near his body during burial.

Initially, Lungu’s remains were expected to be repatriated from South Africa to Zambia after a week-long period of national mourning. However, this plan was abandoned due to a disagreement over the funeral schedule. The body was later scheduled to return to Zambia for a procession ahead of a rescheduled state funeral on June 23. Despite this, the family organized their own service in South Africa scheduled for June 25. 

The political rivalry is rooted in a history of animosity between Lungu and Hichilema. After defeating Hichilema in the 2016 election, Lungu’s administration jailed him for four months in 2017 on treason charges related to a motorcade incident—an action condemned by international observers, as an AP article recalls. Hichilema was eventually released, and the charges dropped. Their rivalry persisted into the 2021 election, which Hichilema won.

Even after leaving office, Lungu remained politically active and accused Hichilema’s government of using law enforcement to intimidate him and limit his movements. His family also alleged the administration initially blocked him from seeking medical care abroad, though officials denied this.
Hichilema has since the death expressed sympathy to the Lungu family, urging national unity in the wake of his passing. Government spokesperson and Information Minister Cornelius Mweetwa stated that the administration is still hopeful that a resolution can be achieved.

By Nazrin Sadigova