Former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has died at the age of 68 while receiving medical treatment in South Africa, his family confirmed on Thursday.
Lungu passed away at the Medforum Clinic in Pretoria, where he had been under close medical supervision for the past several weeks. His daughter, Tasila Lungu, made the announcement in a recorded statement, expressing gratitude to those who supported the family during his illness.
“His condition was managed with dignity and privacy,” she said.
A trained lawyer by profession, Lungu served as Zambia’s sixth president, holding office from 2015 until 2021. He came to power following the death of President Michael Sata and was later elected in the 2015 and 2016 elections. Lungu’s presidency ended after his defeat to current President Hakainde Hichilema in the hotly contested 2021 general election.
Until his passing, Lungu was Zambia’s only surviving former head of state.
Details regarding funeral arrangements are expected to be released by the family and government in the coming days. Messages of condolence are already pouring in from across the country and the region.
