A Rift Unresolved: The Toxic Legacy of Hichilema and Lungu's Conflict in Zambia

Fri Jul 18 2025 00:12:31 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
A Rift Unresolved: The Toxic Legacy of Hichilema and Lungu's Conflict in Zambia

The rivalry between Zambia's current president and his predecessor continues to overshadow the nation, even after Edgar Lungu's passing, preventing a much-needed reconciliation.


The bitter feud between Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and his late predecessor Edgar Lungu remains unresolved following Lungu's death, complicating both mourning and funeral arrangements while deepening national divisions.


The political landscape in Zambia is marred by an intense rivalry that transcends mere competition, persisting even in the aftermath of Edgar Lungu's death. The tension between Lungu, who served as president from 2015 until his electoral defeat in 2021, and Hakainde Hichilema, currently in office, has brewed a climate of distrust and animosity that is palpable, even in death.

Lungu's family made a poignant declaration regarding his wishes on his deathbed, emphasizing that Hichilema should not attend his funeral, a sentiment that has hindered government efforts to pay tribute to the former leader and has sparked a nationwide crisis of division. The state funeral scheduled for the 68-year-old has been marred by controversy and the venue, a prominent conference center in Lusaka, is set to remain empty, devoid of visiting dignitaries and public participation.

Grief was palpable in a video announcement made by Lungu’s daughter, Tasila, who expressed their wish for national unity in this moment of loss. However, the absence of a timely public condolence from Hichilema only intensified the suspicion and discord, with the national broadcaster opting to remain silent during the initial hours following Lungu's death on June 5. This silence was unsettling for Lungu's supporters, who felt Hichilema's call for unity rang disingenuous.

In 2021, Hichilema won the presidency after a long struggle that included Lungu’s government imprisonment of him back in 2017 under controversial treason charges. Their history, marked by conflict and resentment, continued past the electoral contest, as economic struggles under the current administration resurrected Lungu's desire to return to politics, an attempt that frustrated the presidency.

Lungu was stripped of his retirement benefits upon returning to active politics, a decision that has fueled discontent within his family and supporters. Allegations of state harassment followed, with Lungu claiming he faced restrictions and hostility from the current administration, significantly impacting his quality of life. Additionally, Hichilema's anticorruption policies have drawn scrutiny for targeting those associated with Lungu, deepening the cracks in the relationship further.

Despite attempts to arrange a state funeral that would honor Lungu, the government and the family fell out over control issues, culminating in an abrupt cessation of funeral arrangements in Zambia. It was determined that he would be buried in South Africa, casting aside any hopes of reconciliation that the Zambian people yearned for.

Even in death, the feud continues to define the political narrative in Zambia, thwarting both familial closure and national healing. Lungu's passing encapsulates a legacy of discord that many Zambians hoped would soften with time, yet it stubbornly persists, reflecting a stark organizational and social impasse within the country.

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