President Hichilema Ends National Mourning, Urges Unity Amid Funeral Dispute
BY Wagon Media Team
Lusaka, June 19, 2025
President Hakainde Hichilema has formally concluded the national mourning period for the late 6th Republican President, Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, citing the need for national healing, stability, and a return to normalcy following a prolonged standoff regarding funeral arrangements.
In a televised address to the nation, President Hichilema reflected on the past 14 days as a time of deep sorrow and a profound test of Zambia’s unity and commitment to peace.
“While mourning the loss of our former Head of State, we have also witnessed the strength of our nation — our people’s patience, compassion, and calm,” he said.
The President extended heartfelt gratitude to religious leaders, traditional authorities, and citizens for their moral support. He also praised the diplomatic team, including former Vice President Enock Kavindele, Chief Mumbi, and government officials, for their efforts in seeking a peaceful and inclusive solution to the state funeral impasse.
A special note of appreciation was offered to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the people of South Africa for their readiness to host the repatriation of Mr. Lungu’s remains with full military honours — arrangements that ultimately fell through after the family reversed an earlier agreement.
President Hichilema expressed regret over the incident, stating, “We sincerely apologize to President Ramaphosa, the South African Government, and the people for the inconvenience and disappointment caused.”
Despite repeated efforts by the Zambian government to facilitate a dignified state funeral, the unexpected change by the late President’s family forced a difficult but necessary decision.
“We cannot remain in mourning indefinitely. As of today, June 19, the official period of national mourning has come to an end,” the President declared.
He reaffirmed that Mr. Lungu, as a former Head of State, deserves to be laid to rest in Zambia with full honours, underscoring that the legacy of national service places him in the hearts of all Zambians — beyond family or politics.
Calling for peace and restraint, President Hichilema urged citizens to remain united and law-abiding during this emotionally charged time.
“Our doors remain open for further dialogue with the Lungu family. Let us move forward with dignity, compassion, and above all, national unity.”
The PF had declared 7 days national mourning. It has now expired. Let those that are bitter over this matter seek comfort in the sangomas. Well done to the ECL family for making the decision they have made. All those that loved ECL are very happy now, and that is all that matters.
Pwaaaaahahahahehehe mow mow mow.
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The grave the state dug for ECL can be used to bury Hakainde when he dies. Keep it open so we do not waste taxpayers’ money digging another grave. Imagine someone digging their own grave without even knowing it. At least he knows where he will get burried now. Ala, this life is full of surprises. Ala, one can even laugh if the situation were not grave, no pun intended. My prayer is that he dies in Zambia to avoid this circus.
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Grow up my friend such thinking is not befitting for a man of your caliber.
You’re a deranged person. There’s no humanity in you at all!!!
This is not time to write such senseless comments. Grow up and get a life please, you are a low and primitive form of life.
Mwanyala tu PF! You can go ahead with your burial. Mutivute
Grow up my friend such thinking is not betting for a person of your caliber.
Good call Your Excellency. This was the right decision and we appreciate all your efforts. May God bless you.
This is as was expected of your leadership Mr. President HH. I salute you for declaring the end of national mourning and to let the country move on. We have to stay productive as a country. There @indigo and your PFools you heard it no more lawlessness will tolerated. That means gathering at PF secretariat is non existent now. No more useless and biased press conferences.
Thank you President for your resilience, steadfastness and calmness during the mourning period of the late Pres. ECL.
So holding a press conference is against Hakainde’s laws? Why can’t you people just talk without making threats to non birthright and non UPND citizens? Send your police to scatter and arrest the crowds at the secretariat, you will regret it.
My advice to you people is to just let it go. You are hurting that the body did not come, but just accept it and move on with your lives. The national mourning that PF declared has already expired. No one really acknowledged the national mourning by Hakainde. That is the reality my friend. Stay blessed.
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God humbles the Proud
For In Trickery they live
The holy masquerades
The Abuse, their Trails
And the Rot in them
to the Woman’s Wails
Oh that Cloth of Dignity
For a day to mourn
The Dress of Hypocrisy
All the life they live
How Hollow are the empty words
A pain to my soul
The barren land they make
Of more tears to come
Not for mine I say
For to hold I will
Against all might
I live another day
Away from me
Are the waters of Vanity
The dignity of emptiness
Lo to the wind it belongs
For I will carry mine
To the ends of the earth
And I will reach
Wherever I go
Yes the soil carries me
And in peace
I will bury mine!
God humbles the Proud.
The PF opposition party has exhibited hostility and hypocrisy in an attempt to mislead the public. Under the capable leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, the government has taken actions that a thoughtful leader would undertake. The PF opposition has criticized and insulted the president using derogatory language aimed at undermining the government.
Now that the government has announced the conclusion of the National Mourning, it is up to the Lungu family to determine what is best for them.
We support your decision President HH. Bravo
But some people, if Lungu’s family have refused to burry him in the grave dug and prepared for him, do you think Hakainde’s family can accept to burry him in Lungu’s grave? That’s madness, the State will all make him his own grave just as it has done to others.