Former president Bakili Muluzi has withdrawn from the mediation process to resolve the controversy over the burial site for former Zambian president Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
Lungu passed on in June this year at a South African hospital but his remains are yet to be interred due to disagreement between his family and the Zambian Government. The government wants to take his body to Zambia for a State funeral while the family insists on burying him in South Africa purportedly because the current administration in Zambia illtreated him
In a statement issued today, Muluzi said that despite meaningful progress, certain complex matters remained unresolved, leading him to formally return the issue to the Lungu family and the Zambian Government for a conclusion.
Reads the statement in part: “It is our sincere hope that space will yet emerge for renewed, calm and principled communication so that closure may be reached.
Former President Bakili Muluzi Withdraws his Mediation Role in the Impasse Regarding the Funeral and Burial of the Late President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu
STATEMENT OF GRATITUDE AND SOLIDARITY HONOURING THE LATE SIXTH PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA, HIS EXCELLENCY MR EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU
It has now been five months since the passing of His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the Sixth President of the Republic of Zambia, on 5th June 2025.
This period has been marked by deep national sorrow and heartfelt concern across the Southern African region and the continent. I wish to acknowledge the courage, dignity, and patience of the Zambian people, who have continued to uphold peace, unity, and
restraint during this difficult time.
I respectfully encourage continued prayers and compassion, particularly for the Former First Lady, Mrs. Esther Lungu, the children, and the extended family.
I remain deeply appreciative of His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, for his readiness to receive my calls and consider my humble counsel and inquiries as I sought to
understand what was at stake in this matter.
His openness made it possible for my mediation efforts and those of colleagues supporting this process to be directed toward exploring a peaceful resolution of the
issues under consideration.
I extend sincere gratitude to the Government of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for the steady and diplomatic support extended throughout this period. Likewise, I wish to acknowledge the efforts of leaders in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), who demonstrated solidarity consistent with the values of our shared regional fraternity.
In undertaking this mediation process, I was mindful of the delicate nature generosity, coordinating engagements on the ground in Johannesburg and, without request for recognition or compensation, offering his personal cargo aircraft to support logistical considerations associated with the repatriation process.
His Grace Bishop Professor Joshua H.K. Banda, President of the Africa Christian Transformation Forum (ACT Forum), and Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Zambia, who is also President of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Africa, has been a vital partner throughout. He travelled repeatedly to Johannesburg from June onwards to provide pastoral guidance, moral clarity, and a stabilizing presence.
His involvement has been thoughtful, discreet, and deeply rooted in the values of peace and reconciliation.
Furthermore, the subsequent formal appointment on 9th September 2025 of His Grace Archbishop Dr Alick Banda of the Lusaka Archdioces and BishopProfessor Joshua H.K. Banda as co-mediators in the
process gave us renewed confidence that resolution was even more attainable. Their direct custodianship and moral authority, as eminent senior church leaders in Zambia, provided a pastoral and nationally trusted framework within which dialogue could be advanced.
This strengthened our hope, still firmly
held, that a dignified and unifying conclusion to this matter remains possible.
We are also grateful for the wise counsel and compassionate engagement of Her Excellency Mrs. Graça Machel, who reached out personally to the Former First Lady and offered reassurance during an emotionally difficult period.
Additionally, we acknowledge the contribution of Hon. Thandi Modise, appointed by the Government of South Africa, who worked closely with the Presidency and DIRCO in
maintaining constructive and transparent engagement throughout.
Throughout this process, communication was maintained with the family through their spokesperson, Counsel Makebi Zulu, while also liaising respectfully with representatives of the Government of the Republic of Zambia. Our intention at every stage was to foster understanding, restore calm, and allow
room for a dignified resolution grounded in mutual respect, African cultural values, and the honour befitting a Former Head of State.
While meaningful progress was made, including reflection of the family’s wishes regarding key ceremonial aspects, certain matters have remained complex. Attempts to secure direct dialogue among all parties did not fully succeed, and therefore the situation has not yet reached final resolution.
We remain deeply respectful of the family’s grief and their right to determine how they honour their loved one. At the same time, we acknowledge the solemn responsibility of the State toward its former leaders.
It is our sincere hope that space will yet emerge for renewed, calm, and principled
communication so that closure may be reached in a manner that upholds the dignity of the late President and strengthens unity among the people of Zambia.
The work undertaken over these months has been guided not by political or partisan interest, but by the Pan-African fraternity, respect for the Office of the Presidency, and the shared conviction that Africa is strongest when we stand together, especially in our most difficult moments.
This reflection is offered to enhance and support the ongoing efforts of the Government of the Republic of Zambia as it continues to provide leadership toward the eventual closure of this longstanding matter. We trust that the collective efforts made thus far, even where imperfect, have contributed constructively toward creating space for an eventual solution.
However, given the prevailing circumstances and the inability to secure a conclusive pathway forward, it has now become necessary to withdraw from the mediation process and formally return the matter to the
family, the Zambian people, the Zambian Government and other processes. This will allow the final arrangements for the burial of the departed Former President in a manner they will consider fitting and respectful and get this matter to a closure.
May the soul of His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu rest in eternal peace. May the people of Zambia be strengthened with wisdom, unity and grace.
Dr. Bakili Muluzi
FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALAWI 11TH November, 202
Thank you your Excellence…
You tried your best and we think we know where the problem lies, the so called spokesperson has since returned to campaign for the Top Job…
In the meantime, the empty grave remains. And it shall be occupied by a suitable candidate soon.
“HE THAT DIGS HOLES FOR OTHERS, SHALL HIMSELF BE BURIED IN THEM”. -EDITH NAWAKWI.
VOTE FOR CHANGE IN 2026.
Lungu and his family are thieves. The whole world knows his character and the families financial position before and after becoming president. Did you even know about Esther, Tasila, Daliso, or Chiyesu as rich people Lungu moved to statehouse. Have a conscious. You are on the wrong side of history as usual my guy…supporting plunderers.
We salute you your excellency. As noted there’s been a lot effort put in to resolve this issue amicably by very respected people in the SADC region. We thank you for all your efforts and time. As you can now see the SADC people have moved on and so have we. Unfortunately Lungu’s body has now become a trophy for certain people who are now pursuing political careers that are clearly destined for failure.
Munzi wapya guys….for Dr. Bakili Muluzi to quit these talks should send a warning to Makebi Zulu and the Lungu family, for only they know what’s happening to ECL’s body. I’m sure the former Malawian Pres. just saw Makebi busy campaigning for the top job using ECL’s corpse without shame and decided to pull out…ba gwamo ba Bakili. Soon we shall know the truth. Stay tuned.
When you look at the kind of people the big man was compelled to mediate not with but to, their reasonableness is questionable, and at his age and stature, to continue dealing with such people is both a disgrace and a waste of valuable time, never has a family troubled the spirit of a dead relative the way the Lungu family is resolved to do including untraditionally suggesting to burn to ashes the body of their dead relative. This is an unprecedented issue that has never happened any where on earth or in heaven and it has taken a toll on every person in the mediation team, the best is to let them be, because only they know what they are doing. It has not only taken a toll on the mediators but on their families as well while the cauprites are taking it as a holiday adventure. Enough is enough, if they want to behave like the kabanana skeleton lady, let them be but them and their families will forever live with the consequences of this decision, it will never be erased and those associating with the clan in marriage will be warned about the families behaviour, they have cursed themselves and their future generations because this won’t go away
He must have realized the madness and stupidity in this whole issue. He should put this experience in his memoirs so the whole world can know what was going on. What a coincidence, he withdraws when the so called family spokesperson has embarked on a political campaign trial. Government must now monitor money movement towards this political campaign. This could be resources stollen from government coffers.