The long-standing uncertainty surrounding the funeral and burial arrangements for Zambia's late former President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, has finally been resolved. After days of intense behind-the-scenes negotiations, the Government of Zambia and the Lungu family have reached a definitive agreement. The Patriotic Front (PF) confirmed that President Lungu's remains, which have been in South Africa since his passing on June 5, 2025, will be repatriated to Zambia on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, with the official burial scheduled for Monday, June 23, 2025. This breakthrough follows a period of public concern and a reported impasse between the family and the state over funeral protocols and burial rights.

The resolution was largely due to the unexpected yet crucial mediation efforts led by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Catholic Archbishop Dr. Alick Banda. President Mnangagwa, who shared a personal friendship and academic history with the late Lungu as fellow law students at the University of Zambia, utilized his regional stature and personal rapport to bridge the divide. He remembered Lungu as a soft-spoken yet firm leader committed to peace and regional integration. Archbishop Banda, despite past political friction with the current Zambian government, stepped forward as a critical bridge builder, leveraging his close relationship with the Lungu family and his moral authority within the Catholic Church. Their combined approach succeeded where earlier political and diplomatic efforts by the Zambian government, including high-level envoys, had reportedly failed to secure the body or formal agreement.

While the agreement signifies progress, the Lungu family has reportedly placed firm conditions on the government's participation in the funeral. These conditions aim to ensure the ceremony remains free from political grandstanding, that the family's wishes are honored, and that the proceedings are conducted with the dignity and respect befitting a former head of state. Sources indicate that the Zambian State House is currently consulting on these conditions, with a mutual understanding seemingly within reach.

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) had earlier weighed in on the matter, expressing national grief and advocating for a state funeral. LAZ emphasized that having held the highest office, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu ceased to be an ordinary citizen and was entitled to a state funeral, defined as a public ceremony observing strict protocol to honor individuals of national significance. They also highlighted the lack of specific legislation guiding the balance between private interests and state protocols in such sensitive times.

In response to the public discourse and delays, President Hakainde Hichilema expressed disappointment over the politicization of the funeral. He called for unity and responsibility, urging Zambians and political stakeholders to allow for a dignified send-off, deferring political discussions to a more appropriate time. President Hichilema, who had earlier met with Zimbabwe's Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, conveyed his government's commitment to positive dialogue and respect for the family's wishes, even issuing an apology to African delegates for the delay in finalizing the burial program.

Echoing the call for unity, Robert Chabinga, the acting President of the Patriotic Front and Leader of the Opposition, stood in solidarity with President Hichilema's message. He urged PF members and all Zambians to recognize Lungu as a leader for all, transcending political affiliations. Chabinga emphasized that this moment calls for empathy and shared grief, not partisan divides, and affirmed the party's commitment to peace, order, and upholding the rule of law during the national mourning period. A joint press briefing is anticipated on Sunday, June 15, to formally announce the comprehensive details of the funeral arrangements.