The death of Zambia’s former president, Edgar Lungu, has plunged the nation into a state of collective mourning, but also political and emotional discord. What should have been a unifying national event has instead exposed the deep divisions between the late president’s family, his party, and the current government led by President Hakainde Hichilema.

Lungu, who died last week in South Africa at the age of 68 while undergoing undisclosed treatment, left behind not only a legacy of political influence but also strict instructions: that his political rival, President Hichilema, “should not be anywhere near” his body. This final wish, confirmed by family spokesperson and lawyer Makebi Zulu, has sparked a rare and troubling standoff between the state and a grieving family over how to honor a former head of state.

Lungu’s tenure as Zambia’s president from 2015 to 2021 was marked by significant economic and political turbulence, but also by considerable grassroots support, especially within the Patriotic Front (PF). After losing to Hichilema in the 2021 election, following five failed attempts by Hichilema, Lungu initially stepped back from politics. Yet, he reemerged as a powerful figure within the PF, and despite constitutional constraints, had hinted at a potential political comeback.

The funeral standoff is more than just about protocol. It reflects lingering bitterness, unresolved political wounds, and questions over legacy, dignity, and power. The PF alleges that Lungu was previously restricted from traveling abroad for medical reasons and implies that earlier intervention might have saved his life, an accusation the Hichilema government has denied.

The Zambian government has expressed its intent to grant Lungu a state funeral, befitting his role as a former head of state. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has even sent top officials, including Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe, to South Africa to negotiate with the Lungu family and facilitate the repatriation of his remains.

While the government insists that Lungu belonged to all Zambians, the family maintains that their wishes, and those of the deceased must take precedence. “The government is acting as though the family has no say,” said Zulu in a video released Thursday. The family wants a private funeral and full control over who presides over the ceremonies, fearing that political posturing could overshadow genuine mourning.

The funeral impasse has left ordinary Zambians confused and saddened. Mourning has become a fractured experience, with the government and PF issuing conflicting directives on where to gather and how to pay respects. While the government declared a seven-day mourning period, the PF had already begun its own commemoration earlier.

Constitutional lawyer John Sangwa argues that the controversy signals a gap in the legal framework, suggesting the need for laws that clearly outline funeral protocols for presidents and former leaders. But he emphasizes that family rights must come first, especially when a person’s final wishes are clearly documented.

This is not just a personal or ceremonial matter, it is a reflection of Zambia’s political maturity. At its core, the standoff illustrates how legacies are contested, even after death. In life, Lungu was a polarizing figure; in death, he has become a symbol of unresolved political fractures.

The government must tread carefully. Balancing national honor with personal dignity, state protocol with private grief, and political rivalry with human decency, will be a test of leadership and statesmanship.

As Zambia watches and waits, one thing is clear: this funeral is about far more than one man’s passing. It’s about how a nation reckons with its past, and whether it can find a way to mourn together, even when divided.