Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu Dies at Clinic in South Africa

Zambia’s former president, Edgar Lungu, has passed away at the age of 68, according to a statement released by the Patriotic Front (PF) party.

Lungu had reportedly been undergoing specialized medical treatment in South Africa for an illness that was not publicly disclosed.

Lungu served as the country’s leader from 2015 until 2021, when he was defeated by Hakainde Hichilema in a landslide election. After initially stepping away from political life, Lungu later returned with aspirations of contesting the presidency again. However, the Constitutional Court ruled against his candidacy in late 2024, determining that he had already completed the maximum two terms permitted by law.

His daughter, Tasila Lungu, confirmed his death in a brief video message, stating that he passed away at a clinic in Pretoria, South Africa, at 06:00 local time on Thursday (04:00 GMT).

She described her father as being under close medical care in recent weeks and paid tribute to his legacy, invoking the national motto: “One Zambia, One Nation.”

Lungu initially assumed office in January 2015 after winning a snap election following the death of then-President Michael Sata.