Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu Dies at 68

Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu, who led the southern African nation from 2015 to 2021, has died at the age of 68. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Tasila Lungu-Mwansa, in a video posted Thursday on the official Facebook page of his political party, the Patriotic Front.

Lungu-Mwansa, a sitting member of Zambia’s National Assembly, said her father passed away at a hospital in South Africa, where he had been under medical supervision in recent weeks. She did not disclose the cause of death.

Lungu first assumed the presidency in 2015 following the death of then-President Michael Sata, serving out the remainder of Sata’s term. He went on to win a full five-year term in 2016, defeating current President Hakainde Hichilema.

Lungu sought re-election in 2021 but was defeated by Hichilema, marking the country’s second democratic transfer of power in its history.

In 2023, Lungu attempted to run for president again in the 2026 election, but a court ruled that his initial 10 months in office—from January 2015 to August 2016 – qualified as a full term under Zambia’s constitution. As a result, he was barred from contesting the upcoming election, having already served the maximum allowable two terms.

Lungu is survived by his wife, Esther, and their six children.