A fight has started between Zambia's government and Edgar Lungu's family over his funeral plans. The government wants to hold the service at a lodge it controls in Lusaka. Officials announced they would give Lungu a state funeral. The Patriotic Front party told supporters to come to their building instead. Lungu's relatives say they must help plan everything.
The government declared seven days of national mourning starting last Saturday. The Patriotic Front made their announcement one day before that. Lungu's family opposes government involvement because they claim officials took away his former president benefits. Government leaders deny these claims. The dispute continues as both sides plan separate events.
Lungu died last Thursday at age 68 during medical treatment in South Africa. He had been fighting an illness that officials have not named. The former leader ran Zambia from 2015 until 2021. His death has created political tension between his supporters and current leaders.
The government declared seven days of national mourning starting last Saturday. The Patriotic Front made their announcement one day before that. Lungu's family opposes government involvement because they claim officials took away his former president benefits. Government leaders deny these claims. The dispute continues as both sides plan separate events.
Lungu died last Thursday at age 68 during medical treatment in South Africa. He had been fighting an illness that officials have not named. The former leader ran Zambia from 2015 until 2021. His death has created political tension between his supporters and current leaders.
