Africa-Press – Botswana. Former Zambia president, Edgar Lungu has been lauded for serving the country with distinction while his contribution to regional integration, peace and development will be remembered with great respect. Lungu died on June 5 aged 68.
According to a press statement from SADC Secretariat, Lungu, as a SADC chairperson from August 2015 to August 2016, played a pivotal role in advancing the regional integration agenda and that his leadership was instrumental in promoting democratic governance, industrialisation and infrastructure development across the region.
The release further says under Lungu’s chairmanship, SADC witnessed important strides in economic cooperation and regional diplomacy and also championed peace and security efforts in the region with unwavering commitment to unity and solidarity among SADC Member States that reflected the core values of the community.
“As we mourn his passing, we celebrate a life dedicated to public service and Pan-African ideals. May his legacy inspire current and future generations to continue working toward a peaceful, integrated, and prosperous SADC region,” says the statement.
The release also states that in the context of Botswana and Zambia, the two shared strong bilateral relations and deep historical ties. The two governments, according to the release, funded the construction of the Kazungula Bridge with support of the African Development Bank and other partners, a model project for the African Continental Free Trade Area. Lungu and former president, Dr Mokgweetsi Maisisi officially commissioned the project on May 10, 2021.
The deceased led Zambia for six years from 2015 and lost the 2021 elections to president Hakainde Hichilema. A lawyer by training, Lungu served a number of ministries prior to leading the country among them, that of Defence and Home Affairs.
Zambia’s Ministry of Information and Media reports that president Hichilema has declared a seven-day period of national mourning from June 8 to 14 to honour Lungu.
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