By Gidion Ngenoh
President William Ruto has led the nation of Kenya in mourning the death of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, who passed away early Thursday morning while receiving treatment in South Africa.
In a condolence message shared on his official X account, President Ruto praised Lungu as a “progressive and outstanding leader” who served Zambia with “zeal and commitment.” The Head of State expressed heartfelt sympathies to the people of Zambia and Lungu’s family, urging unity and strength during this period of national loss.
“Our condolences to the family and the people of Zambia for the untimely death of Former President Edgar Lungu,” Ruto said. “May God grant the people of Zambia strength and comfort during this painful time. Rest In Peace.”
Lungu, 68, was receiving specialised medical care in Pretoria, South Africa, for an undisclosed illness when he passed away at 6:00 a.m., according to a statement released by his party, the Patriotic Front (PF).
His daughter, in an emotional tribute shared online, confirmed that the former president had been under close medical supervision in recent weeks. “In this moment of grief, we invoke the spirit of ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ – the timeless creed that guided President Lungu’s service to our country,” she said.
Though details of his illness remain confidential, Lungu had previously undergone throat surgery abroad due to a narrowing of the oesophagus, a condition that had affected him in his later years.
Lungu served as Zambia’s sixth president from 2015 to 2021. He came to power following the death of President Michael Sata and was later elected in his own right. However, his administration was dogged by controversies, including allegations of corruption and crackdowns on opposition figures.
After losing the 2021 general election to current President Hakainde Hichilema, Lungu briefly withdrew from active politics. He later returned to the political scene as a prominent critic of the Hichilema government and had expressed interest in running again for the presidency. That ambition was cut short in 2024 when Zambia’s Constitutional Court ruled that he had already served the maximum two terms permitted by law.
Despite political turbulence, Lungu remained a symbol of national unity for many Zambians, often invoking the slogan “One Zambia, One Nation” to promote cohesion in a country with over 70 ethnic groups.
His passing marks the end of a significant chapter in Zambia’s political history, and tributes have poured in from across the African continent in recognition of his contributions.
State arrangements for his funeral are yet to be officially announced by the Zambian government.
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