President Hakainde Hichilema today confirmed Zambia’s unwavering commitment to laying former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu to rest in his homeland, following a high-level courtesy visit by Mr. Ronald Ozzy Lamola, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
During the visit, Minister Lamola conveyed condolences from His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa and the people of South Africa on the passing of Zambia’s sixth Republican President. The heartfelt message underscored the historical bonds and enduring solidarity between the two nations.
President Hichilema described the meeting as “meaningful and respectful,” noting that both sides had a frank discussion about the burial arrangements. “We reaffirmed our firm position that His Excellency Mr. Lungu should be laid to rest in his homeland, the Republic of Zambia,” he said in an official statement.
The President extended his deepest appreciation to the Government of South Africa for the care provided to President Lungu during his period of illness. He also issued a formal apology to the South African National Defence Force for the unforeseen challenges that delayed the repatriation of the late President’s remains on Wednesday, 18 June 2025.
That’s it? Nothing more?
I expected the president to make it final and close this chapter
Solve this impasse once and for all ,the greater interests of 18m Zambians can’t be held hostage by 0.0001% of the population.Even God Almighty hates prideful souls.
This story is becoming boring now…don’t we have other more serious issues to deal with…please find a solution to address loadsheding and plant more trees and let us keep our surroundings clean
@Anonymous Very well said
Do we even know diplomacy in Zambia? If we did, by now we would gone past burial.
Did he think by emotionally moaning and cancelling the national mourning, he would strike a favourable deal? Diplomacy is tact and consideration. This phase of talks must yield a closure.
Over 2 weeks since ECL passed away and we’re still at loggerheads? No wonder Zambian’s have been wandering for 60yrs in the desert called underdevelopment.
We have eye sight but no vision.
The family need to understand that the State has say over them on the burial of ECL. It is only by discretion that the State gives the family control over the burial. As a former President, the State by Law has precedent over the handling of the burial ceremony of the former President. The family can do nothing about this.