The passing of Zambia’s former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu at the age of 68 marks a poignant turning point in the nation’s political trajectory. More than a former head of state, Lungu was a defining figure in Zambia’s contemporary politics. He was polarizing, tenacious, and deeply influential even after leaving office.

His death in Pretoria, South Africa, after weeks of medical care, reverberates beyond mourning; it ushers in a moment of reflection and potential recalibration for Zambia’s political future.

Lungu’s political journey was nothing short of remarkable. A lawyer-turned-politician, his ascent from the backbenches of parliament to the presidency in less than five years reflected both his political agility and the Patriotic Front (PF)’s need for continuity after the untimely death of President Michael Sata in 2014.

After winning the 2015 special election and securing a full term in 2016, Lungu presided over a transformative yet controversial six-year period characterized by Chinese-backed infrastructure expansion, economic headwinds, and growing authoritarianism.

Supporters hailed him as a patriot who prioritized national development and stability; detractors pointed to allegations of corruption, human rights abuses, and economic mismanagement. By the time of his electoral defeat in 2021 to Hakainde Hichilema, the electorate’s verdict was clear: a call for change had triumphed over the weight of incumbency.

Though initially retreating from public life after his loss, Lungu’s return to active politics in 2023 was a testament to his enduring relevance. As Hichilema’s government faced mounting pressure over cost-of-living issues and governance criticisms, Lungu seized the moment to recast himself as a defender of democracy.

His public statements, political appearances, and allegations of state harassment galvanized PF supporters and reignited political rivalry in Zambia’s increasingly polarized landscape.

Even after the Constitutional Court barred him from seeking the presidency again, Lungu's influence remained significant. He became a moral figurehead for the PF and a rallying point for opposition unity. His voice was a steady source of criticism against the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), ensuring that his political presence loomed large, regardless of official limitations.

Lungu’s demise leaves the Patriotic Front at a crossroads. Without a unifying leader of his stature, the PF faces an urgent need to redefine its identity and leadership. Internal divisions that were previously held at bay by Lungu’s charisma and clout may now surface. The search for a new torchbearer will be fraught with competition, as various factions vie to steer the party through the post-Lungu era.

His death may also embolden reformist voices within the PF, potentially pushing the party to reassess its political strategies, ideological footing, and engagement with the broader Zambian public. It is a moment that could either rejuvenate the PF with fresh ideas and leadership or plunge it into uncertainty and fragmentation.

For Zambia’s broader political ecosystem, Lungu’s absence could recalibrate the dynamics between the opposition and government. Hichilema, who has called for unity in this time of national mourning, may face less direct political confrontation. Yet, the responsibility to uphold democratic norms, foster political tolerance, and deliver economic progress remains.

The test of Zambia’s democracy now lies in how it manages dissent, nurtures political diversity, and honors the legacy of peaceful transitions, even amidst fierce ideological rivalries.

Lungu's death also reminds Zambia and the wider African continent of the importance of institutional memory. He was part of a generation that bridged post-independence politics and modern-day governance challenges.

His leadership, for better or worse, shaped Zambia’s journey over the past decade, and his absence invites deeper reflection on how nations remember their leaders beyond partisan lines.

Edgar Lungu's death is more than the passing of a former president; it is the closing of a consequential chapter in Zambia's democratic history. It invites introspection not only from the PF but from all political actors, civil society, and ordinary citizens about the kind of political culture they wish to cultivate.

As Zambia mourns, the nation must also take stock of where it has come from, where it stands, and where it intends to go.

In life, Lungu was never far from controversy or acclaim. In death, he leaves behind a legacy that demands both critique and respect, a reflection of the democratic maturity that Zambia must continue to build upon.