President William Ruto has joined the people of Zambia in mourning the death of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
In a statement issued on Thursday, June 5, Ruto expressed deep sorrow over Lungu’s passing, describing him as a progressive and outstanding leader.
"President Lungu was a progressive and outstanding leader who served the people of Zambia with zeal and commitment.
"May God grant the people of Zambia strength and comfort during this painful time. Rest In Peace," he said.
The death of the former Zambian Head of State was officially announced by his party, the Patriotic Front, through a statement issued by Acting Party President Given Lubinda.
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According to the Patriotic Front, Lungu died at Mediclinic Medforum Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, where he had been undergoing specialized treatment.
His daughter, Chawama Member of Parliament Tasila Lungu-Mwansa, confirmed the heartbreaking news.
Family lawyer and politician Makebi Zulu also acknowledged the development, noting that close relatives were still being informed.
"Chawama Member of Parliament and daughter to Dr. Lungu, Hon.Tasila Lungu-Mwansa, confirmed the sad development.
"And lawyer to the family, Hon. Makebi Zulu, confirmed the sad development but stated that members of the family were in the process of being informed," Lubinda said.
Lungu studied law at the University of Zambia and graduated in 1981; he initially worked as a lawyer with the Lusaka-based firm Andrea Masiye and Company.
However, in 2010, his legal license was suspended by the Law Association of Zambia due to professional misconduct.
Lungu joined politics through the Patriotic Front (PF), a party formed by Michael Sata in 2001.
As PF grew in popularity, Lungu became one of its trusted members, eventually holding several key cabinet positions.
His political stature grew significantly during President Sata’s tenure, positioning him as a prominent successor when Sata passed away in 2014.
Following Sata's death, the PF nominated Lungu to run in the January 2015 presidential by-election.
He narrowly defeated opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema and was sworn in as President on January 25, 2015.
In the August 2016 general elections, Lungu again defeated Hichilema, securing a full five-year term with just over 50% of the vote.
Lungu lost the 2021 general election to Hichilema in a peaceful transition of power.
Following his defeat, he briefly retired from active politics but made a comeback in 2023, announcing that he would challenge for the presidency again.
However, Lungu's comeback faced a legal obstacle when Zambia’s Constitutional Court ruled in December 2024 that Lungu was ineligible to run for another presidential term.
