After days of uncertainty and negotiations, the funeral preparations for Zambia’s former president had been finalised.
Edgar Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, died 11 days in the past in South Africa the place he used to be receiving remedy for an undisclosed sickness.
In step with his circle of relatives, he had left directions that his political rival and present President Hakainde Hichilema “will have to now not come anyplace close to his frame”.
However a spokesperson for the Lungu circle of relatives showed that an settlement were reached with the federal government that allowed for Hichilema to preside over a state funeral subsequent Sunday.
The row brought about consternation amongst some in Zambia with folks left questioning how they will have to mourn their former chief.
After days of talks, the Lungu circle of relatives and the federal government have agreed that:
- The previous president’s frame might be flown to the Zambian capital, Lusaka, on Wednesday on a non-public constitution airplane
- On arrival on the airport, the frame might be gained by means of the circle of relatives after which there might be complete army honours
- It is going to then be transported to Lungu’s place of dwelling in Lusaka the place it is going to lie in state
- For 3 days, beginning on Thursday, it is going to be taken to a convention centre within the capital the place the general public will pay their respects
- A state funeral might be hung on Sunday 22 June with respectable mourning finishing day after today
- The previous president might be interred on Monday at Embassy Park, the respectable presidential burial grounds.
At a joint press briefing in South Africa, Lungu circle of relatives spokesperson Makebi Zulu, sitting along Secretary to Zambia’s Cupboard Patrick Kangwa, stated the circle of relatives apologised “for the inconvenience and ache that the protracted negotiations could have brought about however we have been doing our easiest to honour the previous president’s non-public needs”.
Mr Zulu additionally stated that the circle of relatives used to be continuing at the foundation that the federal government would “now not deviate from our settlement”.
Talking for the federal government, Mr Kangwa appealed for solidarity and thanked Zambians for his or her persistence “all over this tough time”.
After six years as head state, Lungu misplaced the 2021 election to Hichilema by means of 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 remaining yr the Constitutional Court docket barred him from working, ruling that he had already served the utmost two phrases allowed by means of regulation.
In spite of his disqualification from the presidential election, he remained massively influential in Zambian politics and didn’t hang again in his grievance of his successor.
Final yr, Lungu complained of police harassment and accused the government of successfully placing him below area arrest. He additionally stated he were averted from leaving the rustic. The federal government denied each accusations.
