Zambia’s former President Edgar Lungu, who died final week, left directions that his successor Hakainde Hichilema “shouldn’t be anyplace close to” his physique, a household spokesman has mentioned.
That is the newest growth within the bitter feud over funeral plans for the late president following his demise in South Africa on the age of 68.
The federal government had deliberate to fly his physique again dwelling on Wednesday, however failed to take action due to a dispute with Lungu’s household and his political get together, the Patriotic Entrance (PF), over mourning and funeral preparations.
The 2 leaders had been long-standing political rivals, with Hichilema defeating Lungu within the 2021 election after failing in 5 earlier makes an attempt.
In an handle to Zambians on Thursday night, the president didn’t refer on to the reported needs of his predecessor, however reiterated a “name for peace, a name for love and a name for unity” on this time of “collective grief”.
Showing to make the case for a state funeral, he urged Zambians “to place apart our variations” and made a plea to “enable the individuals of Zambia to bid farewell to their former president with the respect and honour that befits the excessive workplace he as soon as held”.
Lungu died of an undisclosed sickness, however the PF mentioned final week that he had been receiving “specialised therapy” in South Africa.
The PF alleged that Lungu was banned from leaving the nation for years and that if he had been allowed to journey to hunt medical therapy sooner, he may nonetheless be alive.
The federal government has denied the allegation.
Zambia’s International Minister Mulambo Haimbe was amongst authorities officers who flew to South Africa on Wednesday for talks with Lungu’s widow, Esther, and his influential daughter, Tasila, to interrupt the impasse over what occurs subsequent.
The federal government needs to provide Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, a state funeral.
The Lungu household’s spokesman, lawyer Makebi Zulu, beforehand instructed the BBC that the household was not against this, but it surely needed a say over who would preside over the service.
Nonetheless, in a video launched from South Africa on Thursday, Mr Zulu mentioned the household had put in place “all logistics” to fulfil Lungu’s needs to be given a non-public funeral and that Hichelema “shouldn’t be anyplace close to” his physique.
The federal government was behaving as if the household had “no say” over his burial and the best way he must be mourned, Mr Zulu added.
It was the household’s need that the “conscience of the deceased shouldn’t be betrayed”, he mentioned.
In his response, Haimbe mentioned that whereas the bereaved household had put ahead its needs, Lungu’s funeral involved all Zambians as he was a former president.
“I am certain all of us would wish to have a becoming send-off for our former president, and that’s what we should work in the direction of reaching,” the overseas minister instructed native journalists.
In an earlier assertion, the federal government mentioned that “constructive consultations” had been persevering with with Lungu’s household to make sure the “clean repatriation” of his physique.
The dispute has brought on a lot unhappiness and confusion amongst Zambians who’re unclear learn how to mourn the ex-president.
The federal government declared a seven-day nationwide mourning interval beginning final Saturday, although the PF introduced one days earlier.
The federal government declared that the official venue for mourning could be a lodge it owns within the capital, Lusaka, however the PF dismissed this plan, directing mourners to its headquarters as a substitute.
Constitutional lawyer John Sangwa instructed the BBC that the “tug-of-war” highlighted the necessity for Zambia to provide you with a regulation which outlined funeral preparations for presidents and ex-presidents, however he believed that on the finish of the day the desires of the household must be revered.
After Lungu’s defeat within the 2021 election, he stepped again from politics however later returned to the fray.
He remained the largest political drawcard of the PF, and he had ambitions to vie for the presidency once more.
Nonetheless, on the finish of final 12 months the Constitutional Courtroom barred him from working, ruling that he had already served the utmost two phrases allowed by regulation.
Extra BBC tales from Zambia:
[Getty Images/BBC]
Go to BBCAfrica.com for extra information from the African continent.
Observe us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Fb at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
BBC Africa podcasts
