Breaking: Zambian Church Leaders Urge Lungu Family to Understand the Nation Deserves to Mourn Sixth President with Dignity

Three prominent Zambian church bodies have issued a statement calling for calm and resolution amid ongoing tensions surrounding the burial arrangements for Zambia’s Sixth Republican President, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu. The Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ), The Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), and the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) expressed concern over the lack of progress in repatriating and laying to rest the former president’s remains.

In a statement, released today, the church bodies acknowledged initial plans for the repatriation of Dr. Lungu's remains on June 18, 2025, which were later cancelled. The churches noted that the prolonged uncertainty is disrupting national mourning and the country’s ability to function. “It is regrettable that the funeral of a former head of state remains in limbo,” the statement read, urging the family to “understand that the grief they are sharing is shared by the entire nation. Dr. Lungu served Zambia and the nation deserves the opportunity to mourn him with dignity.”

The church leaders emphasized the importance of unity during this period, including respect and harmony during funerals. They called for both the government and the Lungu family to find “common ground in the spirit of mutual respect and national unity”. The statement also cautioned against insensitive public commentary, urging Zambians to refrain from turning the solemn occasion into a subject of ridicule.

The church bodies assured the public of their active role in mediating between the Lungu family and the government, both publicly and behind the scenes, to foster dialogue and promote healing. “The Lungu family needs healing, the Government needs healing, and Zambia as a nation needs healing,” the statement concluded, invoking a call for peace and unity rooted in Zambia’s national values.