Ruto Mourns Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu
President William Ruto has led Kenya in mourning the death of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, who passed away on Thursday, June 5.
In a statement shared on X, Ruto described Lungu as a “progressive and outstanding leader” who served Zambia with commitment and zeal. He extended his condolences to the former president’s family and the people of Zambia.
“Our condolences to the family and the people of Zambia for the untimely death of Former President Edgar Lungu,” the statement read. “President Lungu was a progressive and outstanding leader who served the people of Zambia with zeal and commitment. May God grant the people of Zambia strength and comfort during this painful time. Rest In Peace.”
According to Lungu’s party, the Patriotic Front (PF), the 68-year-old former leader was undergoing specialised treatment for an undisclosed illness in South Africa. He died at a clinic in Pretoria at 6:00 am.
His daughter, in a tribute shared online, confirmed that Lungu had been under medical supervision in recent weeks. “In this moment of grief, we invoke the spirit of ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ – the timeless creed that guided President Lungu’s service to our country,” she said.
Although the nature of his illness was not disclosed, Lungu had previously undergone throat surgery abroad due to a narrowing of the oesophagus.
Lungu served as Zambia’s president from 2015 to 2021, before losing the general election to Hakainde Hichilema. He briefly retreated from political life after his defeat but later returned as a vocal critic of the Hichilema administration.
He had expressed interest in contesting the presidency again before being barred by Zambia’s Constitutional Court in 2024, which ruled that he had already served the maximum two terms allowed by law.
His presidency was shadowed by allegations of corruption and accusations of suppressing opposition voices.
Despite this, many Zambians remember him for his message of unity and national identity, often evoked through the slogan “One Zambia, One Nation.”
In other news:Kenya, Ethiopia to Build Two Bridges to Enhance Trade and Access for Border Communities
Ruto Mourns Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu