Zambian Presidential Funeral Row and Political Crisis

[DrWilly]

There’s some interesting politics going on in Zambia right now. I’ve asked GenAI for a brief summary.

I need to search for current information about Zambian politics and Edgar Lungu, as this involves recent political developments.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Currently the body of the former president is still in South Africa almost two weeks after his death as the government has proposed a state burial which they are bound to do and the family are refusing.




Edgar Lungu’s Death and Political Tensions


Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu died on Thursday at the age of 68, six months after an attempted return to politics was thwarted by a court ruling that he could not run for office again. On the morning of 5 June 2025, Lungu died after suffering cardiac complications from a surgery he was undergoing at the Mediclinic Medforum in Pretoria, South Africa.


The Funeral Row and Political Crisis


Lungu’s death has sparked a major political crisis centered around funeral arrangements:


Family vs. Government Standoff:

The row over the funeral of former Zambian president Edgar Lungu shows no sign of letting up after his family announced on Friday that Lungu had left instructions that the current president, Hakainde Hichilema, should not be allowed “anywhere near his body.”


Competing Mourning Venues

The government announced there would be a state funeral and declared that the official venue for mourning would be a lodge it owns in the capital, Lusaka, but the PF dismissed this plan, directing mourners to its headquarters instead.

Background Political Tensions


The current crisis stems from deep-seated political rivalry:


- The pair are long-time rivals – in 2017, when Lungu was president, he had Hichilema locked up for over 100 days on treason charges after Hichilema’s motorcade allegedly refused to give way for him.
- Lungu’s party, the Patriotic Front (PF), claims that he had been barred from leaving the country to seek medical treatment for several years.
- Lungu claimed last year that his movements were being monitored by police and he had effectively been placed under house arrest to restrict his return to politics.

Impact on Opposition Politics


Lungu’s passing leaves a vacuum that will reshape the power contest before the 2026 general elections, testing the weakening opposition’s resilience and the UPND’s adaptability. The death creates a leadership crisis for the opposition Patriotic Front, which had unified around Lungu despite his disqualification from the 2026 elections by the Constitutional Court.


The situation reveals deep political polarization in Zambia and questions about President Hichilema’s leadership approach during this crisis.

[malmomike77]

have you got your bailout bags ready?

[cyrille]

How far are you from the airport?

[taxexile]

dr. willy PhD "snigger"

I’ve asked GenAI for a brief summary.

i asked genAI for a brief summary of the facepalm.

AI Overview

A facepalm is a gesture where someone covers their face with their hand, often to express frustration, embarrassment, or disappointment.
It's a common way to show exasperation or disbelief, either in real life or online, often as a meme.

Here's a more detailed explanation:
Gesture:
The physical act of placing one's hand against their face, either covering the eyes, forehead, or entire face.

Meaning:
It signifies a range of negative emotions, including:

Frustration: Feeling annoyed or exasperated.

Embarrassment: Feeling ashamed or awkward about something.

Disappointment: Feeling let down or discouraged.

Disbelief: Feeling surprised or unable to accept something.

honestly willy. your idiocy knows no bounds

[39TG]

The ambiguous "GorillaWilly" might have been a better name.

[cyrille]

Didn't you post elsewhere that six inches was well beyond your specs, cashew cock?

[DrWilly]

have you got your bailout bags ready?

How far are you from the airport?

leaving this arvo, thanks for the concern.

[DrWilly]

dr. willy PhD "snigger"

There wasn’t a new article succinct enough for you to grasp it.

I dunno if it’s hit the news yet, but the president has canceled his visit to Rome as a precaution. That’s a good indication that they’re worried.

[armstrong]

There wasn’t a new article succinct enough for you to grasp it.

I dunno if it’s hit the news yet, but the president has canceled his visit to Rome as a precaution. That’s a good indication that they’re worried.

If it's not hit the news yet did he just tell you that

[Joe 90]

Refuge will always be available at the Lusaka Golf clubs 19th .

[DrWilly]

The plot thickens.

[DrWilly]

And speaking of the meeting (to sign off on the Lobito corridor) in Rome, the delegation was going to be 50 people strong (a few WAGS involved in that), all on a mix of First and Business class. No wonder the country struggles to pay bills.