LUSAKA-(MaraviPost)-Republican President Hakainde Hichilema has reportedly made the difficult decision not to attend the burial of his predecessor, the late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
According to a well-placed source, this decision is aimed at honoring the wishes of Lungu’s family, who are said to have requested that Hichilema not be present at the state funeral.
The source emphasized that President Hichilema had personally desired to attend the burial, which is expected to be held at the prestigious Embassy Park, the official resting place for Zambia’s former heads of state.
However, despite having both the constitutional mandate and ceremonial authority to participate, the president has chosen to stay away to prevent any further tensions.
This act, the source claims, reflects Hichilema’s willingness to put national unity and respect for family wishes above personal or political considerations.
The same source drew parallels to a similar incident during the funeral of Zambia’s founding father, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda (KK), when Hichilema, then in opposition, was also denied the opportunity to attend.
At that time, Hichilema observed the funeral proceedings from his home, in an effort to avoid confrontations or disturbances.
A similar course of action is now expected, with the president likely to follow events surrounding Lungu’s funeral from a distance.
Vice President Mutale Nalumango, along with other senior government officials, will represent the presidency during the state funeral ceremonies.
This delegation is intended to ensure that the government is visibly present, while also adhering to the boundaries drawn by the Lungu family.
According to the anonymous source, the late President Lungu’s body may arrive in the country either on Saturday of this week or Monday of next week.
The burial is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday or Thursday next week, though official confirmation is still pending.
The situation continues to reveal the complex intersection between political transitions, respect for tradition, and the difficult balancing act that leaders must maintain in moments of national mourning.
While Hichilema’s absence may be interpreted by some as a concession, it could also be seen as a strategic act of humility meant to maintain peace and avoid unnecessary controversy.
