In brief
Edgar Lungu, the sixth president of Zambia, has died at a medical facility in South Africa at the age of 68, as confirmed by his political party, the Patriotic Front, and his daughter Tasila Lungu Mwansa.
Former President Edgar Lungu of Zambia passed away on June 5, 2025, in South Africa, where he was receiving medical treatment. The news was shared by his daughter and the Patriotic Front, the political party he led. In a video, Tasila highlighted that her father had been under medical care for several weeks prior to his death. Lungu served as president from 2015 until his re-election defeat in 2021. His term was marked by aggressive infrastructure development that significantly increased Zambia's national debt, alongside growing concerns over the decline of political freedoms and press autonomy, as his administration invoked emergency powers to maintain order amid public unrest. After losing to current President Hakainde Hichilema in the 2021 elections, Lungu aimed for a political comeback but faced legal hurdles. A ruling by Zambia’s Constitutional Court deemed him ineligible for another presidential run, citing he had already served two elected terms, despite his first term being notably short. Critics suggested this ruling might have been influenced by political maneuverings from Hichilema's government, particularly regarding the removal of judges from the high court.
