{{Short description|President of Zambia from 2015 to 2021 (1956–2025)}} {{Use British English|date=August 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Edgar Lungu | office = 6th President of Zambia | image = Shinzo Abe and Edgar Lungu at the Prime Minister's Office in 2018 (1) (cropped).jpg | caption = Lungu in 2018 | predecessor = Guy Scott (acting) | successor = Hakainde Hichilema | vice_president = Inonge Wina | party = UPND (1998 - 2001)<br/>Patriotic Front (2001 - 2025) | office1 = Minister of Defence of Zambia | president1 = Michael Sata<br />Guy Scott | predecessor1 = Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba | successor1 = Davies Chama | birth_name = Edgar Chagwa Lungu | birth_date = {{birth date|1956|11|11|df=y}} | birth_place = Ndola, Loangwa, Northern Rhodesia, Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (present-day Copperbelt Province, Zambia) | death_date = {{death date and age|2025|06|05|1956|11|11|df=y}} | death_place = Pretoria, South Africa | spouse = {{marriage|Esther Lungu|1986}} | children = 6 | alma_mater = University of Zambia | education = | term_start = 26 January 2015 | term_end = 24 August 2021 | term_start1 = 23 December 2013 | term_end1 = 25 January 2015 | office2 = Member of the National Assembly for Chawama | term_start2 = September 2011 | term_end2 = 25 January 2015 | successor2 = Lawrence Sichalwe | predecessor2 = Violet Sampa-Bredt }} {{Edgar Lungu sidebar}}
'''Edgar Chagwa Lungu''' (11 November 1956 – 5 June 2025) was a Zambian politician who served as the sixth president of Zambia from 26 January 2015 to 24 August 2021.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=15 August 2016 |title=Zambia's President Edgar Lungu declared election winner |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37086365 |access-date=3 March 2023 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 January 2015 |title=Zambia Defence Minister Lungu wins presidential election |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30970952 |access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref>
Under President Michael Sata, Lungu served as Minister of Justice and Minister of Defence. Following Sata's death in October 2014, Lungu was nominated as the candidate for the Patriotic Front at the Convention of the Patriotic Front which was held in Kabwe, for the January 2015 presidential by-election, which was to determine who would serve out the remainder of Sata's term. In the election, he narrowly defeated opposition candidate Hakainde Hichilema and took office on 25 January 2015.
Lungu was elected to a full presidential term in the August 2016 election, again narrowly defeating Hichilema. Hichilema initially disputed the election result and filed a case at the Constitutional Court to nullify the result. On 5 September, however, the court dismissed the case in Lungu's favour.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-36883332and |title=Africa Live: Zambia election challenge dismissed, Somalia suspends Kenya khat fights |last1=Clare |first1=Spencer |last2=Zane |first2=Damian |date=5 September 2016 |website=bbc.com |access-date=5 September 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Lungu was sworn in for his first full term on 13 September 2016.
In 2021, Lungu was defeated by long-time opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema (his 2015 and 2016 opponent), in that year's presidential election.<ref name=":8">{{cite news|last=Mfula|first=Chris|title=Zambia opposition leader Hichilema wins landslide in presidential election|publisher=Reuters|date=16 August 2021|url=http://www.reuters.com/world/africa/zambian-opposition-leader-hichilema-heads-closer-victory-presidential-vote-2021-08-15/|accessdate=16 August 2021}}</ref> He died in June 2025 in Pretoria, South Africa following surgery complications.
==Early life and law career== Lungu was born 11 November 1956 at Ndola Central Hospital. After graduating with a LL.B. in 1981 from the University of Zambia, he joined the law firm Andrea Masiye and Company in Lusaka. He subsequently underwent military officer training at Miltez in Kabwe under Zambia National Service (ZNS). He then returned to practising law, and later entered politics.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spotlight on Zambia's President Edgar Lungu |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/3261/spotlight-on-zambias-president-edgar-lungu/ |date=9 March 2015 |access-date=17 May 2021 |website=The Africa Report.com |language=en}}</ref>
In 2010, Lungu had his law practising licence suspended by the Law Association of Zambia. This was after he was found guilty of professional misconduct.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zambia.co.zm/news/headlines/2010/07/29/laz-suspends-misa-lawyer-edgar-lungu/|title=LAZ suspends MISA lawyer Edgar Lungu|work=Zambian Watchdog|date=29 July 2010|access-date=3 April 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607145928/https://zambia.co.zm/news/headlines/2010/07/29/laz-suspends-misa-lawyer-edgar-lungu/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Political career== Lungu stood as an independent candidate in the Chawama constituency at the 1996 general election,<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=26 January 2015 |title=Meet Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu |url=https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/meet-zambian-president-edgar-chagwa-lungu/ |access-date=4 April 2025 |website=The Herald |language=en}}</ref> with Christon Tembo of the MMD winning the seat ahead of him.<ref>[https://www.parliament.gov.zm/sites/default/files/images/publication_docs/Members%20of%20Parliament%20of%20Zambia%201924-2021%20First%20Edition%20March%202021..pdf Members of Parliament of Zambia 1964 - 2021]</ref> After the formation of the United Party for National Development in December 1998, Lungu joined that party.<ref name=":9" />
After the formation of the Patriotic Front in 2001, Lungu joined that party and stood in Chawama constituency at the 2001 general election as the Patriotic Front's candidate, where he finished seventh in a field of eleven candidates with 2.43% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.org.zm/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2001-Presidential-Election-Results.pdf|title=2001 Presidential Election Results |website=Electoral Commission of Zambia}}</ref> thumb|left|200px|Edgar Lungu in January 2015 At the 2011 general election, Lungu once again stood as the Patriotic Front candidate for the Chawama constituency and won the parliamentary seat.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edgar Chagwa Lungu |url=https://www.parliament.gov.zm/node/297 |access-date=2 November 2024 |website=National Assembly of Zambia}}</ref> After the PF won that 2011 election, Lungu became Junior Minister in the Vice-President's office. He was subsequently promoted to Minister of Home Affairs on 9 July 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lusakatimes.com/2012/07/10/labour-ministry-realigned-masebo-lungu-appointed-cabinet-ministers/ |title=Labour and Tourism Ministry re-aligned again, Masebo, Lungu appointed as Cabinet Ministers|website=Lusaka Times|date=10 July 2012 }}</ref> He became Minister of Defence on 24 December 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zambianwatchdog.com/edgar-lungu-is-new-defense-minister/|title=Edgar Lungu is new Defense Minister|website=Zambian Watchdog|access-date=24 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226111143/http://www.zambianwatchdog.com/edgar-lungu-is-new-defense-minister/|archive-date=26 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> after Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba resigned from his ministerial post, and he functioned as Acting President during President Michael Sata's long-term illness in 2013–14. He has also held a string of central positions in his party, including Chair of the PF Central Committee on Discipline, and he became PF Secretary General and Minister of Justice on 28 August 2014 to replace Wynter Kabimba, who was fired.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Zambia: Wynter 'Bruised'.. Edgar Lungu Is New Justice Minister and PF Secretary General |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201408290077.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530205728/http://allafrica.com/stories/201408290077.html |archive-date=30 May 2016 |access-date=24 January 2015 |work=allAfrica.com |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref>
Sata went abroad for medical treatment on 19 October 2014, leaving Lungu in charge of the country in his absence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 October 2014 |title=Zambian President Michael Sata goes for medical check-up |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29692576 |access-date=26 January 2015 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Party rivalries grow as Sata ails |url=https://www.africa-confidential.com/index.aspx?pageid=21&articleid=5814 |date=20 October 2014 |access-date=26 January 2025 |website=www.africa-confidential.com |language=en}}</ref> Sata died on 28 October 2014. Vice-President Dr. Guy Scott took over as Acting President, and Lungu was viewed as one of the main contenders to ultimately succeed Sata in a presidential by-election.<ref>{{Cite web|author1=Amy Copley|author2=Mwangi S. Kimenyi|date=30 October 2014|title=The Death of President Michael Sata and Issues of the Health of African Leaders|url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/africa-in-focus/2014/10/30/the-death-of-president-michael-sata-and-issues-of-the-health-of-african-leaders/|access-date=17 May 2021|website=Brookings|language=en-US}}</ref> This was because Scott was ineligible to stand for election due to his parents not being born in Zambia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29816559 |title=Guy Scott's rise to Zambia's presidency |publisher=BBC News |date=29 October 2014 |accessdate=6 June 2025}}</ref>
On 3 November 2014, Acting President Dr. Guy Scott dismissed Lungu as Secretary-General of the PF.<ref name="lusakageneral">{{Cite web |date=12 January 2012 |title=Zambia : Why Guy Lindsay Scott Qualifies to Stand as President of the Republic of Zambia |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2012/01/12/guy-lindsay-scott-qualifies-stand-president-republic-zambia/ |access-date=26 May 2025 |language=en-GB}}</ref> He replaced him with Davis Mwila, the Member of Parliament for Chipili.<ref name="lusakageneral"/> The next day, Scott reinstated Lungu.<ref name="NtimpaKC">{{Cite web |date=4 November 2014 |title=Zambia : Guy Scott reinstates Edgar Lungu as Secretary General until the burial |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2014/11/04/guy-scott-reinstates-edgar-lungu-secretary-general-burial/ |access-date=5 November 2014 |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 30 November, Lungu was elected as President of the Patriotic Front at a national convention of the party held in Kabwe. However, the convention was unusual because no voting took place. Instead, the unaccredited delegates elected him by raising hands.<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 December 2014|title=Zambia: PF credibility badly damaged by Lungu's election – By Arthur Simuchoba|url=https://africanarguments.org/2014/12/zambia-pf-credibility-badly-damaged-by-lungus-election-by-arthur-simuchoba/|access-date=17 May 2021|website=African Arguments|language=en-GB}}</ref>
thumb|View of the crowd at the inauguration ceremony On 20 January 2015, Lungu contested the presidential by-election and beat his closest rival Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development by a narrow majority of just 27,757 votes (1.66%), with just 32.36% of the registered electorate participating.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2015 Presidential Election :: Electoral Commission of Zambia |url=http://www.elections.org.zm/results/2015_presidential_election#cm3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010122640/https://www.elections.org.zm/results/2015_presidential_election#cm3 |archive-date=10 October 2018 |access-date=25 January 2015 |website=www.elections.org.zm |language=en |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was declared the winner by the Electoral Commission of Zambia on 24 January.<ref name=":0" />
===Finishing Sata's term (2015–2016)=== Lungu was sworn in as President of Zambia on 26 January 2015 at the National Heroes Stadium in the capital Lusaka.<ref>Matthew Hill, [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-25/edgar-lungu-sworn-in-as-president-of-zambia-in-lusaka.html "Zambian Ruling Party's Edgar Lungu Inaugurated as President"], Bloomberg, 25 January 2015.</ref> The following month, Lungu forced the head of the central bank out of office and promised lower interest rates. He appointed Inonge Wina as Zambia's first female Vice-President.<ref>Matthew Hill,[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-13/zambian-president-names-denny-kalyalya-as-central-bank-governor-i63nj3ws "Zambia central bank chief replaced as president vows lower rates"], Bloomberg, 13 February 2015.</ref>
In March 2015 Lungu collapsed while holding a speech commemorating International Women's Day in Lusaka. After spending a short while in a Zambian hospital he had an operation for his narrowed oesophagus in Pretoria, South Africa.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31795526 |title=Edgar Lungu collapse: Zambian president 'needs treatment abroad' |work=BBC News |date=9 March 2015 |access-date=3 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/zambia-lungu-surgery-idUSL6N0WG02620150314 |title=Zambia's president recovering after surgery in South Africa |publisher=Reuters |date=14 March 2015 |access-date=3 January 2016}}</ref> Lungu commuted the death sentences of 332 prisoners to life in prison on 16 July 2015 and condemned the massive overcrowding at the Mukobeko prison, calling it "an affront to basic human dignity".<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 July 2015 |title=Zambian president gives death row inmates life sentences |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zambia-prison-idUSKCN0PQ18M20150716/ |access-date=26 May 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}}</ref>
In October 2015, Lungu ordered a national day of prayer in hopes of preventing further damage to the economy. Top religious and political officials participated, and other public events were cancelled. 18 October was officially registered as an annual public holiday in Zambia named the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation.<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 October 2019|title=Zambia : Zambians mark the day of National Prayers|url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2019/10/19/zambians-mark-the-day-of-national-prayers/|access-date=17 May 2021|website=LusakaTimes.com|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=National Prayer Day in Zambia in 2021|url=https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/zambia/national-prayer-day|access-date=17 May 2021|website=Office Holidays|language=en}}</ref><ref>[https://www.parliament.gov.zm/sites/default/files/images/publication_docs/Ministerial%20Statement%20on%20the%20the%20Preparations%20of%20this%20Year's%20National%20Day%20of%20Prayer_0.pdf Ministerial statement]</ref> Questions were raised about the freedom of journalists under Lungu's presidency, though he denied his government had stopped any journalists from reporting on, or interviewing, him. Lungu appealed to the media to report "truthfully."<ref name="confident_2016_02_11_lusakavoice_com">{{Cite web |date=11 February 2016 |title=President Lungu confident of being re-elected |work=Lusaka Voice |url=https://lusakavoice.com/2016/02/11/president-lungu-confident-of-being-re-elected/ |access-date=26 May 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Lungu emphasized the diversification of Zambia's economy away from its decades-long dependence on copper mining, towards agriculture and other sectors, and sought investors for its energy sector—declaring it was not safe to depend on hydro-electricity, and that climate change created a need for alternative energy.<ref name="confident_2016_02_11_lusakavoice_com" />
During his interim term, he met with French President François Hollande in France (early 2016), and with Pope Francis in the Vatican (calling it an "experience of a lifetime").<ref name="confident_2016_02_11_lusakavoice_com" />
===First full term (2016–2021)=== {{See also|Presidential eligibility of Edgar Lungu}} Lungu ran for a full term in the August 2016 presidential election, which turned out to be a rematch of the 2015 presidential election between Lungu and UPND candidate Hakainde Hichilema. Lungu won the election with 50.32% of the vote, just a few thousand votes over the threshold for avoiding a run-off. He also increased his margin of victory over Hichilema to 100,530 votes or 2.72%. Hichilema refused to concede defeat after the announcement of official results and filed a petition before the Constitutional Court, asking for the results to be nullified due to irregularities. The court dismissed the case on 5 September 2016 and Lungu was inaugurated for a full five-year term of office on 13 September.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zambian court dismisses presidential election challenge|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/zambian-court-dismisses-presidential-election-challenge/641359|access-date=17 May 2021|website=Anadolu Ajansi}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=5 September 2016|title=Zambian court throws out election petition case, Lungu to hold inauguration|url=https://www.africanews.com/2016/09/05/zambian-court-throws-out-election-petition-case-lungu-to-hold-inauguration/|access-date=17 May 2021|website=Africanews|language=en}}</ref>
In December 2019, Lungu expressed anti-LGBT rhetoric, stating "Even animals don't do it, so why should we be forced to do it?... because we want to be seen to be smart, civilised and advanced and so on".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-50630026|title=US diplomat 'threatened' in Zambia gay rights row|date=2 December 2019|access-date=26 December 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref>
In December 2019, Lungu fired his controversial political advisor, Kaizer Zulu and replaced him with Zumani Zimba.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-12/20/c_138647010.htm |title=Lungu fires controversial aide |website=Xinhuanet}}</ref>
Lungu once again stood as the Patriotic Front candidate at the August 2021 general election. He lost the election to his closest rival, Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development, getting almost a million fewer votes than Hichilema.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=16 August 2021 |title=Zambian president Lungu concedes defeat after rival's landslide win |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/16/zambian-president-lungu-concedes-defeat-after-rivals-landslide-win.html |access-date=14 August 2024 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=16 August 2021 |title=Zambia election: President Edgar Lungu concedes defeat |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/rest-of-africa/zambia-edgar-lungu-concedes-defeat-3513492 |access-date=14 August 2024 |website=The East African |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8" /> Lungu conceded defeat as Hichilema was declared the winner on 16 August 2021 by the Electoral Commission of Zambia.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8" />
==Post-presidency== After the 2021 election, Edgar Lungu decided to retire from active politics,<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=29 October 2023 |title=Edgar Lungu - ex-Zambian president makes political comeback |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67254347 |access-date=14 August 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref> leaving Given Lubinda as the Patriotic Front's acting president.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 April 2022 |title=Zambia : Lubinda focused on Uniting PF rather than contesting for Presidency |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2022/04/10/lubinda-focused-on-uniting-pf-rather-than-contesting-for-presidency/ |access-date=19 November 2022 |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 3 May 2023, police surrounded Lungu's residence in Lusaka and demanded access to search it. His lawyer said that police were conducting a search following a complaint against his wife over her suspicious ownership of the vehicles and a title deed.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 May 2023 |title=Police surround Zambian ex-president's home in Lusaka |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-65361155 |access-date=3 May 2023 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
=== Return to Patriotic Front presidency === Lungu made an official announcement of him returning to active politics on 28 October 2023, returning to being the leader of the Patriotic Front.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 October 2023 |title=Ex-President Lungu returns to active politics, putting to rest months of speculations |work=Zambia Monitor |url=https://www.zambiamonitor.com/breaking-ex-president-lungu-returns-to-active-politics-putting-to-rest-months-of-speculations/ |access-date=15 August 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> However, there was a controversial extraordinary general conference that had taken place earlier that October in which Miles Sampa was declared the president of the Patriotic Front (PF) party, defeating 7 other aspirants for the same position.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=25 October 2023 |title=Zambia : Miles Sampa Elected as PF Party President in Controversial Extraordinary General Conference |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2023/10/25/miles-sampa-elected-as-pf-party-president-in-controversial-extraordinary-general-conference/#google_vignette |access-date=15 August 2024 |website=Lusaka Times |language=en-GB}}</ref> Emmanuel Mwamba (the PF Information and Publicity Chairperson) argued that that convention was illegal and that the convention that took place was contrary to the party's outlined procedures in its constitution.<ref name=":4" /> That convention left the PF party divided<ref name=":4" /> and the matter was soon taken to the Lusaka High Court.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=28 October 2023 |title=Zambia : Miles Sampa Remains PF President After High Court Lifts Injunction |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2023/10/28/miles-sampa-remains-pf-president-after-high-court-lifts-injunction/ |access-date=15 August 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Therefore, the Patriotic Front party consisted of two factions, one with Miles Sampa as the leader and one with Given Lubinda as the leader.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=25 October 2023 |title=PF finally torn apart? Faction declares Sampa president, another expels him; Court grants restraining order |work=Zambia Monitor |url=https://www.zambiamonitor.com/pf-finally-torn-apart-faction-declares-sampa-president-another-expels-him-court-grants-restraining-order/ |access-date=15 August 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> After Lubinda gave back the PF presidential title to Lungu (thereby demoting himself to vice-president<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 May 2023 |title=POLICE ARREST PF VICE PRESIDENT GIVEN LUBINDA |work=Diamond Media |url=https://diamondtvzambia.com/police-arrest-pf-vice-president-given-lubinda/ |access-date=15 August 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 May 2024 |title=Time will come when we shall have party after party, Lubinda assures PF members |url=https://diggers.news/local/2024/05/23/time-will-come-when-we-shall-have-party-after-party-lubinda-assures-pf-members/ |access-date=15 August 2024 |website=Zambia: News Diggers! |language=en-GB}}</ref>), the party remained with two factions (with Sampa as the leader of the other one).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sinyangwe |first=Chiwoyu |date=9 November 2023 |title=Daggers drawn in Zambia as Lungu announces plans to retake control of main opposition |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/326788/daggers-drawn-in-zambia-as-lungu-announces-plans-to-retake-control-of-main-opposition/ |access-date=15 August 2024 |work=The Africa Report}}</ref><ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 November 2023 |title=Zambia : Police Deployed to Guard PF Secretariat Amid Fears of Clashes Following Lungu's Return to Politics |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2023/11/02/police-deployed-to-guard-pf-secretariat-amid-fears-of-clashes-following-lungus-return-to-politics/ |access-date=15 August 2024 |website=Lusaka Times |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 July 2024 |title=I'm still PF president, there's no pact with Lungu – Miles |url=https://diggers.news/local/2024/07/07/im-still-pf-president-theres-no-pact-with-lungu-miles/ |access-date=15 August 2024 |website=Zambia: News Diggers! |language=en-GB}}</ref>
As the leader of one of the two factions of the PF, Lungu decided to join the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA), an alliance of opposition political parties in Zambia, in early 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 February 2024 |title=Zambian politics nomadic in nature, we're waiting for others to join us – Lungu |url=https://diggers.news/local/2024/02/19/zambian-politics-nomadic-in-nature-were-waiting-for-others-to-join-us-lungu/ |access-date=15 August 2024 |website=Zambia: News Diggers! |language=en-GB}}</ref> On top of this battle with Miles Sampa over who was the rightful PF leader, there was an ongoing and contentious issue of the Presidential eligibility of Lungu because he had previously been elected ''twice'' (in January 2015 and August 2016) to be the president of Zambia.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Ndebele |first=Lenin |title=Zambia's former president Edgar Lungu faces a full trial to get on the 2026 ballot |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/zambias-former-president-edgar-lungu-faces-a-full-trial-to-get-on-the-2026-ballot-20240710 |access-date=22 July 2024 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref> A decision was made in July 2024 to have a full trial over the matter.<ref name=":7" /> The Constitutional Court decided that it would issue its ruling on 10 December 2024 in the case of Lungu's presidential eligibility.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jere |first=Joshua |date=7 October 2024 |title=Judgement in Lungu's eligibility case set for December 10 |url=https://znbc.co.zm/news/judgement-in-lungus-eligibility-case-set-for-december-10/ |access-date=8 October 2024 |website=ZNBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 October 2024 |title=ConCourt stops Sangwa from making oral arguments in Lungu eligibility case |url=https://diggers.news/courts/2024/10/08/concourt-stops-sangwa-from-making-oral-arguments-in-lungu-eligibility-case/ |access-date=8 October 2024 |website=Zambia: News Diggers! |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In November 2024, Lungu's PF faction was invited to join the Tonse Alliance and it accepted, with Lungu being appointed the alliance chairperson<ref name="T">{{cite web |author=Kasabo, Angel |date=7 November 2024 |title=TONSE ALLIANCE LUNCHED, ECL AT THE HELM |url=https://rcv.co.zm/tonse-alliance-lunched-ecl-at-the-helm/ |website=rcv.co.zm}}</ref> and being chosen as the presidential candidate for the alliance for the 2026 general election.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2024 |title=Zambia : Edgar Lungu Accepts 2026 Bid, Urges Opposition Unity Against Economic Crisis |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2024/11/07/4-edgar-lungu-accepts-2026-bid-urges-opposition-unity-against-economic-crisis/#google_vignette |access-date=14 November 2024 |website=Lusaka Times |language=en-GB}}</ref> Due to UKA not being in support of a political party belonging to more than one alliance, it was decided that Lungu and the PF were no-longer part of UKA.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 November 2024 |title=PF has effectively resigned from UKA, we don't believe in duality – Saki |url=https://diggers.news/local/2024/11/14/pf-has-effectively-resigned-from-uka-we-dont-believe-in-duality-saki/ |access-date=14 November 2024 |website=Zambia: News Diggers! |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LUNGU HAS NO PART IN UKA – SABOI … UKA can't be forced into a polygamous marriage |work=Daily Revelation News |url=https://dailyrevelationzambia.com/lungu-has-no-part-in-uka-saboi-uka-cant-be-forced-into-a-polygamous-marriage/ |access-date=14 November 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |work=Times of Zambia |title=UKA disowns 'double-dealers' |url=https://www.times.co.zm/?p=135538 |access-date=14 November 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> Due to internal divisions within the PF, the Tonse Alliance decided that it would field candidates in any upcoming elections under the New Congress Party (NCP), including the 2026 general election where they planned to register Lungu as their presidential candidate.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 2024 |title=Lungu to run under New Congress Party |url=https://zambianeye.com/lungu-to-run-under-new-congress-party/ |access-date=24 November 2024 |website=Zambian Eye}}</ref>
On 10 December 2024, the Constitutional Court barred Lungu from running again for president as he had already served a maximum of two terms.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 December 2024 |title=Court rules former Zambian leader Lungu can't run for president again in 2026 election |url=https://apnews.com/article/zambia-president-election-lungu-hichilema-75f54b22d07eb8d571efc6ee515e7ace |access-date=10 December 2024 |website=Associated Press |language=en}}</ref> Despite this ruling, Lungu remained the president of his Patriotic Front faction and the alliance chairperson of the Tonse Alliance. In March 2025, the Tonse Alliance spokesperson, Sean Tembo, decided to petition the Constitutional Court over this decision.<ref>{{Cite web |work=The Zambian Observer|date=10 March 2025 |title=Sean Tembo is today expected to petition the court on the eligibility of former President Edgar LUNGU |url=https://zambianobserver.com/sean-tembo-is-today-expected-to-petition-the-court-on-the-eligibility-of-former-president-edgar-lungu/ |access-date=5 April 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref>
On 1 May 2025, Miles Sampa decided to reunite his Patriotic Front faction with the faction for Lungu, effectively stepping down from the party presidency.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=Miles relinquishes PF presidency, endorses Lungu for 2026 |url=https://diggers.news/local/2025/05/02/miles-relinquishes-pf-presidency-endorses-lungu-for-2026/ |access-date=30 May 2025 |website=Zambia: News Diggers! |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=SICHULA |first=AUGUSTINE |date=1 May 2025 |title=Sampa endorses Lungu for 2026 presidency, confirms Zambia Monitor's reports on moves to unite PF factions |work=Zambia Monitor |url=https://www.zambiamonitor.com/sampa-endorses-lungu-for-2026-presidency-confirms-zambia-monitors-reports-on-moves-to-unite-pf-factions/ |access-date=30 May 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |date=2 May 2025 |title=Sampa endorses ECL for 2026 |url=https://www.dailynationzambia.com/2025/05/sampa-endorses-ecl-for-2026/ |access-date=30 May 2025 |website=Daily Nation |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=Miles endorses Lungu for 2026 |work=Daily Revelation News |url=https://dailyrevelationzambia.com/miles-endorses-lungu-for-2026/ |access-date=30 May 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref> Lungu was handed back the party presidency and Given Lubinda was handed back the party vice-presidency (and therefore was acting president in Lungu's absence).<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":12" /><ref name=":13" /><ref name=":14" />
==Personal life and death== {{See also|Death and state funeral of Edgar Lungu}} Lungu married Esther Lungu in 1986 and had six children, including Tasila Lungu, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Chawama (elected in 2021).<ref>{{cite news |date=27 January 2018 |title=Esther Lungu Tells story of how she met President Edgar Lungu |url=https://www.zambianobserver.com/esther-lungu-tells-story-of-how-she-met-president-edgar-lungu-why-she-has-enrolled-at-unza/|newspaper=The Zambian Observer}}</ref> He and his family were practising Baptists.<ref name=zdm>{{cite news|title=Lungu is a kind man |url=https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/?p=75667 |work=Zambia Daily Mail |date=9 August 2016 |access-date= 20 October 2016}}</ref>
In 2015, it was disclosed that Lungu was being treated outside of Zambia for achalasia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/zambia-president-hospitalized-after-collapsing-at-a-ceremony/2672363.html|title=New Zambian President Needs Treatment Abroad|publisher=VOA News|accessdate=5 June 2025|date=9 March 2015}}</ref> In June 2021, he collapsed during a televised military event due to a hypoglycaemic attack, a complication of achalasia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.africanews.com/2021/06/14/zambia-president-collapses-from-dizziness-during-televised-ceremony//|title=Zambia: President collapses from dizziness during televised ceremony|date=14 June 2021 |publisher=Africa News|accessdate=5 June 2025}}</ref>
In early 2025, Lungu travelled to South Africa to receive specialised treatment for an undisclosed illness. By May 2025, it was reported that his condition was steady despite rumours about his ailing health.<ref name=bbcobit/> On the morning of 5 June 2025, Lungu died after suffering cardiac complications from a surgery he was undergoing at the Mediclinic Medforum in Pretoria, South Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zambianobserver.com/edgar-lungu-has-died-of-complications-during-a-surgery-he-was-undergoing-this-mornin/#google_vignette|title=Edgar Lungu has died of complications during surgery|accessdate=5 June 2025|date=5 June 2025}}</ref><ref name=bbcobit>{{Cite web |date=5 June 2025 |title=Edgar Lungu: Zambia's former president dies aged 68 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4gp07y3xmo |access-date=5 June 2025 |website=BBC News |language=en-gb}}</ref> He was 68 years old.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Mfula |first1=Chris |last2=Sinyangwe |first2=Chiwoyu |date=5 June 2025 |title=Zambia's former president Edgar Lungu dies aged 68 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/zambias-former-president-edgar-lungu-has-died-his-party-says-2025-06-05/ |access-date=5 June 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> The Zambian government declared seven days of mourning, with flags flown at half-mast, while Mozambique declared three days of mourning.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.trtafrika.com/english/article/0aedc6d8e627|title=TRT Afrika - Zambia declares national mourning for former President Lungu|website=www.trtafrika.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aimnews.org/2025/06/10/governo-decreta-luto-nacional-pela-morte-do-antigo-presidente-da-zambia/|title=Governo decreta Luto Nacional pela morte do antigo Presidente da Zâmbia|website= aimnews.org}}</ref>
Lungu's family and the Patriotic Front rejected the Hichilema government's offer to have Lungu's remains repatriated from South Africa and be accorded a state funeral, with his family adding that Lungu had instructed that President Hichilema not be let near his body.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 June 2025 |title=Lungu funeral row continues as family says President Hichilema not welcome |url=https://www.africanews.com/2025/06/13/lungu-funeral-row-continues-as-family-says-president-hichilema-not-welcome/ |access-date=14 June 2025 |work=Africanews |language=en}}</ref> Following negotiations, the Lungu family agreed to have Hichilema preside over a state funeral to be held on 22 June.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 June 2025 |title=Zambian ex-president's family settle funeral row with government |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1kvkwdp1xzo |access-date=16 June 2025 |work=BBC |language=en}}</ref> The repatriation was again delayed on 18 June after the Lungu family accused the government of violating the agreed terms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Family of Zambia's ex‑President Lungu halts body return, accuses government of breaching deal |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyl6v27vv3o |date=2025-06-18 |access-date=2025-06-18 |website=BBC News}}</ref> The family announced on 20 June that the burial will take place in South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-20 |title=Edgar Lungu: Zambian ex-president will be buried in South Africa, family says |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8k7x32z1eo |access-date=2025-06-20 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> On 25 June, the burial, which had been scheduled on that day, was suspended after the Pretoria High Court granted a request by the Zambian government to postpone the event pending a final decision on the location.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-25 |title=Court order stops a former Zambian president's burial in South Africa on the day of his funeral |url=https://apnews.com/article/zambia-lungu-funeral-hichilema-e1d958b11767f09ef37c994c3836e527 |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=AP News |language=en-US}}</ref>
On 8 August, the Pretoria High Court ordered Lungu's family to repatriate his remains to Zambia and allow the government to hold a state funeral for him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 August 2025 |title=Hand over the body for burial at home, a South African court tells Zambian ex-president's family |url=https://apnews.com/article/zambia-edgar-lungu-president-south-africa-repatriation-c30d61aada43c88feebcb002e2a4319d |access-date=8 August 2025 |website=AP News |language=en-US}}</ref> However, within a few hours, Lungu's family applied for leave to appeal, challenging the order issued by the judge, which effectively halted the repatriation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daka |first=Precious |title=Burial battle continues, as Lungu family appeals court ruling |url=https://diggers.news/courts/2025/08/09/burial-battle-continues-as-lungu-family-appeals-court-ruling/ |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=Zambia: News Diggers! |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-09 |title=Zambia : Lungu's Body to Remain in South Africa Pending Appeal |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2025/08/09/lungus-body-to-remain-in-south-africa-pending-appeal/ |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=Lusaka Times |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-08 |title=Edgar Lungu: South African court rules that Zambia can repatriate body of ex-president |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gz2dg9wzwo |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Books == ''Against All Odds'', a biography of Lungu by the Zambian journalist and senior diplomat Anthony Mukwita, was published by Partridge Africa on 5 January 2017. The book set records when it became the first Zambian book to go on sale at Barnes & Noble and the first Zambian book on a head of state to be featured in the London Book Fair in Hammersmith.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lungu's Rough Journey to State House goes global| url=https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/lungus-rough-journey-to-state-house-goes-global/ |date=9 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Mukwita Says Book On Pres. Lungu's Journey To Plot One Selling Like Hot Cake|url=https://zambiareports.com/2017/03/11/mukwita-says-book-pres-lungus-journey-plot-one-selling-like-hot-cake/|date=11 March 2017|access-date=17 November 2019|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190554/https://zambiareports.com/2017/03/11/mukwita-says-book-pres-lungus-journey-plot-one-selling-like-hot-cake/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Electoral history == {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;" |+ Electoral history of Edgar Lungu ! rowspan="2" style="background:#eaecf0;" |Year ! rowspan="2" style="background:#eaecf0;" |Office ! colspan="2" rowspan="2" style="background:#eaecf0;" |Party ! colspan="4" style="background:#eaecf0;" |Votes received ! rowspan="2" style="background:#eaecf0;" |Result |- ! style="background:#eaecf0;" |Total ! style="background:#eaecf0;" | % ! style="background:#eaecf0;" |{{abbr|2=Position|P}}. ! style="background:#eaecf0;" |Swing |- !2015 | rowspan="3"|President of Zambia | rowspan="3" style="background:{{party color|Patriotic Front (Zambia)}};" | | rowspan="3"|PF |807,925 |48.84% |1st | {{n/a}} | {{Won}} |- !2016 |1,860,877 |50.35% |1st | +1.51 | {{Won}} |- !2021 |1,870,780 |38.71% |2nd | -11.64 | {{Lost}} |}
==See also== * List of international presidential trips made by Edgar Lungu
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{YouTube|gUfu7f8awuE|2015 Campaign video}} * [https://www.lusakavoice.com/2016/02/11/president-lungu-confident-of-being-re-elected/ "President Lungu confident of being re-elected,"] (interviews, in English, by France 24 and Radio France International), 11 February 2016, ''Zambia Daily Mail'' on Lusaka Voice.
{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Guy Scott<br />{{small|Acting}}}} {{s-ttl|title=President of Zambia|years=2015–2021}} {{s-aft|after=Hakainde Hichilema}} {{s-end}}
{{Edgar Lungu}} {{Lungu cabinet}} {{ZambianPresidents}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lungu, Edgar}} Category:Edgar Lungu Category:1956 births Category:2025 deaths Category:Defence ministers of Zambia Category:Justice ministers of Zambia Category:Patriotic Front (Zambia) politicians Category:People from Ndola Category:Presidents of Zambia Category:University of Zambia alumni Category:20th-century Zambian lawyers Category:Zambian Baptists Category:Members of the National Assembly of Zambia Category:Home affairs ministers of Zambia Category:Deaths from surgical complications