Zambia: Zambian President Barred From Lungu’s Funeral

Feeble sixth Zambian President Edgar Lungu household has barred President Hakainde Hichilema from attending President Lungu’s funeral.

In an announcement learn on behalf of the household from Johannesburg, South Africa, where the extinct president died on June 5, they acknowledged it change into once the gradual president’s need that the display cloak president would possibly perhaps well quiet not plan anyplace finish to his body.

The household acknowledged his need change into once that “Mortal remains be conveyed by the family privately and not the government of the Republic of Zambia,” and that “President Hakainde Hichilema should not be anywhere near the body of President Edgar Lungu for reasons that have since become common cause.”

The household has confirmed their frustration with the Zambian Authorities; it has tried to override their decisions on funeral arrangements and violating the Lungu’s closing wishes.

“The family is disturbed by the desire of the government of the Republic of Zambia to convey the mortal remains of the 6th Republican President in ways that suggest that they have no say, that is the family, that the family has no say in the manner the same will be conveyed and how they desire that he be mourned,” acknowledged the household.

Tensions appear to beget escalated after two govt delegations engaged with the household in Johannesburg, simplest to later shift their positions, additional straining household.

Meanwhile, the Zambian govt had deliberate to soar his body again dwelling on Wednesday, but didn’t attain so due to a dispute with Lungu’s household and his political birthday celebration, the Patriotic Front (PF), over mourning and funeral arrangements.

The two leaders were long-standing political opponents, with Hichilema defeating Lungu in the 2021 election after failing in five outdated attempts.

The household had promised to pause dedicated to the sixth Republican President’s wishes.