The unresolved deadlock over the burial arrangements of Zambia’s former president Edgar Lungu is fast escalating from a family-government dispute into a flashpoint with serious political and security ramifications for the country’s leadership.
More than three weeks after Lungu’s sudden death on 5 June, his family has yet to agree to a state funeral, citing mistrust over the government’s intentions and handling of funeral protocols.
The impasse has stoked tensions in an already charged political atmosphere and threatens to test national stability ahead of Zambia’s 2026 general elections.
The family says deep-seated grievances and perceptions of humiliation during Lungu’s post-presidency period have made them reluctant to embrace a state-sponsored burial.
They instead wanted the remains of Zambia’s Sixth President interred in South Africa until a court stopped the burial on Wednesday, urging the two parties to find common ground.
As emotions rise, analysts warn that even symbolic missteps – such as the attendance of President Hakainde Hichilema at funeral events – could ignite unrest among Lungu’s loyalists.
“The optics of Hichilema presiding over the funeral of a man whose supporters believe was politically sidelined could be explosive. It’s a tinderbox that could spiral if not handled with utmost caution,” warns political analyst Donald Porusingazi.
He warned that the Hichilema administration should tread carefully and avoid providing political fodder to Lungu’s supporters.
“Should the Lungu family eventually agree to bury him in Zambia, President Hichilema is better advised to steer clear of the funeral proceedings. His presence could trigger protests that could spiral out of control, thereby posing security challenges for the country.”
The situation is particularly delicate because Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, remains a towering figure in the Patriotic Front (PF), the former ruling party now in opposition.
PF figures have already seized on the controversy to accuse the United Party for National Development (UPND) government of politicising a solemn occasion and disrespecting Lungu’s legacy.
Porusingazi warned that the PF may use the funeral standoff to galvanise its base, frame Hichilema as divisive and mount a stronger challenge in the 2026 elections.
Hichilema is seeking a second and final term of office in 2026.
Beyond the political fallout, the analyst expressed concern about the potential for prolonged protests or clashes, especially if large public gatherings are poorly managed or perceived to be exclusionary.
Calls for restraint have emerged from civil society groups, who are urging both the government and the Lungu family to find a dignified resolution that preserves national unity.
As Zambia marks this solemn chapter, its handling of the funeral may set the tone for political discourse in the months to come – either as a model of restraint or a prelude to deeper division.
JN/APA