Presidential Rivalry Intensifies Even After Lungu's Passing

 The political landscape in Zambia continues to be fraught with strife as the recent passing of former President Edgar Lungu has exacerbated tensions between him and current President Hakainde Hichilema. The rivalry that shaped their shared political history remained unresolved even in death, highlighted by Lungu’s family revealing that one of his final wishes was for Hichilema to stay away from his funeral.Originally set for Sunday, the state funeral honoring Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, has now been thrown into disarray due to escalating rifts. The venue, a prominent conference center in Lusaka, will remain vacant as neither dignitaries nor key political figures are expected to attend. Following Lungu’s death on June 5, initial tensions surfaced in a social media video shared by his daughter, Tasila Lungu, who expressed the family's desire for unity amidst grief.However, the delay in Hichilema's official condolences raised eyebrows. While Hichilema did eventually send a message urging national togetherness, critics perceived this as lacking sincerity and highlighted a deeper narrative of resentment rooted in past confrontations. Their rivalry traces back to 2017 when Hichilema was detained for over 100 days on controversial treason charges, which he attributes to Lungu’s government.Although Hichilema triumphed over Lungu in the 2021 elections, the political animosity has lingered. Faced with economic challenges, Lungu announced intentions to re-enter politics in late 2023. This sparked further disputes, leading to the stripping of his retirement benefits by the current government, which he interpreted as a vindictive act.Compounding the tensions, Lungu reported harassment from law enforcement, declaring himself virtually under “house arrest.” Despite government denials of any travel restrictions, Lungu's family has claimed that his later medical issues could have been mitigated with timelier treatment, underscoring the bitterness of their relationship with Hichilema.Disagreements continued regarding funeral arrangements. Initially, a compromise seemed possible between Lungu's family and the government, but trust disintegrated when the state altered the terms of the arrangement. Consequently, the Zambian authorities halted national mourning, designating Lungu's burial to occur in South Africa, which casts an even darker cloud over an already fractured reconciliation process.The public had hoped for a moment of unity and closure following Lungu’s death, but instead, they are faced with a profound void where both leaders could have set aside their differences. The failure to address these grievances during this pivotal time leaves a lasting impact on Zambians, depriving them of the opportunity to collectively mourn their former leader.