ECL dies at 68

Former President Edgar Changwa Lungu has died at the age of 69, three days after celebrating the birthday of his wife and former First Lady, Esther Lungu.

Confirming the development, his daughter, Tasila Lungu Mwansa, disclosed that Dr. Lungu passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 06:00 hours at Medforum Clinic, a medical centre in South Africa.

Mrs. Mwansa however, would not disclose the cause of her father’s demise, but according to some media reports, Dr. Lungu died of complications during a surgery he was undergoing.

“My father, President Lungu, had been under medical supervision in recent weeks. His condition was managed with dignity and privacy, with support from well-wishers,” she said.

“In this moment of grief, we invoke the spirit of ‘One Zambia, One Nation,’ the timeless creed that guided President Lungu’s service to our country,” Mrs. Mwansa added in a statement.

Dr. Lungu served as Zambia’s sixth president from January 25, 2015, to August 24, 2021, following the death of President Michael Sata in October 2014.

He was adopted as the Patriotic Front candidate during a party convention in Kabwe for the January 2015 presidential by-election, which was held to determine who would complete the remainder of President Sata’s term.

In the election, he narrowly defeated opposition candidate Hakainde Hichilema and took office on January 25, 2015.

Dr. Lungu held a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Zambia (UNZA). He graduated in 1981 and subsequently practiced law.

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