Late 6th President of The Republic of Zambia, H.E Edgar Chagwa Lungu (MHSRIEP)Urgent PRESS STATEMENT
Sudden Demise of Mr. Edgar Lungu reveals ZAMBIA’S LEADERSHIP VACUUM – A CRISIS OF HUMANISM, UBUNTU, AND NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY - Kasonde Mwenda C, EFF President
Date: 26th June 2025
Moral Mandate
Fellow citizens,
Today, as Zambia stands at a crossroads, we must confront an uncomfortable truth: our nation is suffering from a deep and dangerous leadership vacuum. Let it be clear—this is not a partisan attack on the United Party for National Development (UPND) or any one party. This is a call to the conscience of the Republic of Zambia. Our crisis is not merely political; it is a crisis of values, of humanism, and of ubuntu—the very foundation upon which our beloved nation was built.
True leadership is not measured by the power one wields, but by the humanity one extends. Leadership is defined by selfless service, empathy, and the courage to put the needs of the people above personal or political gain. It is the ability to unite, to heal, and to inspire hope in the darkest of times.
Our founding father, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, enshrined humanism as the bedrock of our national identity—a philosophy rooted in compassion, dignity, and respect for every Zambian. Ubuntu teaches us that “I am because we are”—that our strength lies in how we care for one another, especially in times of vulnerability and grief.
These values are glaringly absent in our current leadership. The antagonism between our former and current presidents was laid bare when President Hichilema exercised his authority to prevent President Lungu from traveling to South Africa for urgent medical care. This was not just a political decision; it was a profound failure of humanism. Some may speculate that this lack of timely medical intervention contributed to President Lungu’s demise. While we cannot pass judgment, we all witnessed the heartbreaking images of President Lungu waiting outside Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, denied his basic right to seek medical treatment.
Letter of Medical Treatment Denial to late President Edgar Chagwa Lungu by the Office of The President - Cabinet Office of ZambiaTrue leadership is not about how much power you hold, but about knowing when not to use it. The greatest test of authority is the ability to exercise restraint and empathy. Was it not enough to torment President Lungu in life by limiting his access to medical care? Must we now persecute and prosecute his grieving family? This lack of empathy not only prolongs the suffering of a bereaved family but leaves our entire nation in a state of suspended mourning, unable to lay to rest our sixth president.
A Surrender of Sovereignty
The crisis deepens when we see the Zambian government, under President Hichilema, seeking recourse in the South African courts to resolve what is fundamentally a Zambian issue. This act is nothing less than a surrender of our sovereignty. Have we ever heard of South Africa sending envoys to our High Courts to settle their domestic affairs? Yet here we are, handing over our dignity and credibility to foreign jurisdictions. With the Pretoria High Court set to hear this case on August 4, 2025, our mourning is prolonged, our divisions are exposed, and our inability to resolve our own affairs is laid bare before the world.
Once, Zambia was a beacon of hope, unity, and African progress. Today, we risk becoming a cautionary tale of lost credibility and fractured leadership.
UNDER AN EFF-LED GOVERNMENT: A PROMISE OF RESTORATION
Under an EFF-led government, Zambia will be driven by empathy—not empty words, but real, practical care for every citizen. We will put ubuntu at the center of our governance, ensuring that no Zambian is left behind, and that we lift each other up as one people. Guided by the spirit of humanism that Dr. Kenneth Kaunda taught us, we will restore our nation’s sovereignty and rebuild our credibility on the world stage.
No Zambian will ever be denied dignity, whether in life or in death. We will lead with compassion, with understanding, and with an unwavering commitment to the values that define us as Zambians. This is our solemn promise: to return Zambia to a path of justice, unity, and hope, where the government serves the people—not the other way around.
Let us remember: “May his soul rest in peace” is not a mere phrase to be uttered at a funeral. It is a sacred duty—to ensure that the soul of the departed is truly put to rest, and that the living are left with dignity, unity, and hope.
May the soul of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu rest in eternal peace.
May this nation rediscover its heart, its humanity, and its sovereignty.
May we, as a people, restore the spirit of humanism, empathy, and credibility that once made Zambia a light unto Africa.
Wherever we want to go, our feet will take us there.
Kasonde C. Mwenda,
President
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)
