Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has reportedly died at the age of 68 while receiving medical care in South Africa. The announcement was made on Thursday by his family and his political party, the Patriotic Front (PF).
According to a statement issued by the PF, Lungu had been undergoing specialized treatment at a medical facility in Pretoria, where he had been admitted in recent weeks due to ongoing health complications.
In a video message shared on social media, his daughter, Tasila Lungu-Mwansa, confirmed the sad news, saying her father had been under constant medical supervision and care. She noted that his final days were handled with dignity and privacy, supported by a wave of goodwill from across the continent. However, she did not provide further details on the exact cause of his death.
Sources close to the family disclosed that Lungu had long battled achalasia, a rare disorder that affects the esophagus by narrowing it and impairing swallowing. This condition, which he had managed over the years, reportedly worsened in recent months, prompting his move to South Africa for intensive medical care.
Lungu, a trained military officer and lawyer, served as Zambia’s sixth president. He took office in 2015 following the death of President Michael Sata, and he remained in power until 2021, when he was decisively defeated by current President Hakainde Hichilema in a historic election.
Throughout his presidency, Lungu described himself as “an ordinary Zambian from humble beginnings,” often invoking his modest upbringing to connect with the electorate.
Despite stepping down in 2021, the former president had recently signaled his interest in contesting the 2026 presidential elections, re-emerging into public life and engaging in political activities moves that drew both support and criticism amid Zambia’s evolving political landscape.
His death marks the end of a significant chapter in Zambia’s modern political history. As tributes pour in from across Africa, many remember Lungu not just for his time in office, but also for his influence on Zambia’s democratic transitions and governance.
Funeral arrangements and an official statement from the Zambian government are expected in the coming days.
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