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Following a standoff between the government and the family of late Sixth Republican President, Edgar Lungu, President Hakainde Hichilema has declared Wednesday, June 19, 2025, as the end of the national mourning period for the late leader, who died in South Africa on June 5.
President Hichilema also extended an apology to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the government, and the people of South Africa for the impasse surrounding the repatriation of President Lungu’s remains.
Addressing the nation on Wednesday evening, President Hichilema explained that the decision to end the mourning period was necessary to allow the country to begin returning to normalcy.
“The country cannot afford a state of indefinite mourning,” he said. “While we recognise that the Sixth Republican President should be buried in Zambia with full honours—and not in any other nation—I wish to inform the nation that, as of the end of today, June 19, 2025, this particular national mourning period is officially over.”
Failed repatriation effort
The President said the government had exhausted all avenues of engagement with the late President’s family in a bid to reach a consensus over the funeral programme.
“By last Sunday, June 15, a mutual understanding was achieved and was expressed through the joint press briefing in South Africa,” he said, adding that the breakthrough brought hope and relief to the nation.
President Hichilema noted that the government and Zambian people were fully prepared to receive President Lungu’s body on Wednesday, June 18, with the funeral programme scheduled to culminate in a state burial on Monday, June 23.
“In view of this positive development, we extended the mourning period by another nine days and began fulfilling our commitments towards a state funeral with full honours,” he said.
However, President Hichilema expressed disappointment that despite the preparations, the family reversed their position at the last minute.
“Yesterday, June 18, the people of Zambia were ready to receive the remains of our former President, but were surprised by the family’s reversal of the agreed course of action,” he stated.
He added that the South African government had also made extensive preparations, including mounting military honours through its Defence Force, which were ultimately in vain as the body was not released by the family for repatriation.
“In the meantime, we urge our citizens to maintain calm and orderliness. No amount of lawlessness will be tolerated,” he warned.
President Hichilema reiterated the government’s commitment to unity and peace, and said authorities remain open to further engagement with the family, as appropriate.
He also expressed gratitude to the South African government for its exceptional cooperation and compassion throughout the process.
Earlier on Wednesday, the family of the late President Lungu held a press briefing in Pretoria, where family spokesperson Makebi Zulu announced the suspension of plans to repatriate the body.
Zulu cited escalating tensions and alleged breaches of earlier agreements with the government.
Among the concerns raised were the Road Development Agency’s June 16 announcement of roadworks along the planned funeral procession route without consulting the family, and a June 17 statement by the Secretary to the Cabinet restricting public participation in receiving the body—again, allegedly without the family’s input.
Church bodies call for restraint
Earlier on Thursday, three church mother bodies—the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) and Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB)—warned against turning the mourning period into “a subject of ridicule.”
CCZ General Secretary Father Emmanuel Chikoya, speaking on behalf of the trio, appealed for compassion and unity:
“While the public has a right to express opinions, we caution against turning this solemn occasion into a subject of ridicule. The Lungu family needs healing, and the nation needs clarity and unity.”
Social‑media reaction
On social media, many users praised President Hichilema’s decision to end the extended mourning, saying it struck a balance between respect for the former head of state and the need for economic and social continuity.
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