WE ARE a nation in mourning, and we should not add to our pain and sorrow by engaging in bickering and fighting.
The political grandstanding we have witnessed since the announcement of former President Edgar Lungu’s death last Friday is deeply concerning. It raises significant worries as it has the potential to erode the peace and unity we have enjoyed for decades.
We cannot continue down this path of conflict even though we are a nation of diverse views. There is a common place that should unite us, where the only thing that matters is our shared humanity. And this is that place.
This is a time for all of us to feel the weight of loss and pain together. The war of words must come to an end—it must end now. We should mourn our fallen leader with civility and respect.
Although death remains an enduring mystery, we have been on this path before, and it is crucial that we reflect on the
lessons we learnt during those dark moments. We should remember how we mourned Levy Mwanawasa, Michael Sata, Frederick Chiluba, Rupiah Banda, and our beloved Kenneth Kaunda. We stood united then, even when the stakes were high – much higher than now.
Therefore, we urge the Lungu family, the Patriotic Front (PF) family, and Government to engage in meaningful dialogue to avoid any unnecessary stand-offs.
We also want to remind PF and the Lungu family that their party leader—and their father, uncle, or brother—had a larger family beyond their immediate circle.
Many people touched by ECL during his presidency wish to bid him farewell.
There are numerous individuals who loved the former president but did not belong to PF; they, too, deserve the opportunity to pay their last respects to him. We must not deny them this chance due to selfish or ulterior motives.
There are many citizens who did not belong to PF, but who sympathise with the widow, Esther Lungu, and the children. They must be allowed to show their humanity towards the family.
Since the passing of Mr Lungu last week, there has been an overwhelming expression of grief. This response has not come solely from his political party or just his family; rather, it has come from all corners of our country and even beyond our borders.
This is because Mr Lungu was the president of our nation, and he impacted countless lives, reaching far beyond his party and family.
And it is those countless people that he interacted with, those people whose lives he touched, that must be accorded the chance to pay him their last respects, alongside his family, friends and compatriots.
The troops that Mr Lungu once commanded as Commander-in-Chief wish to bid him farewell with the honours that reflect his stature. They must be allowed to perform their military funeral rites.
We, therefore, agree with Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa that the former head of State deserves a send-off that reflects his status.
“As a country, we should not focus on issues that distract us especially during this period of national mourning. This is the period for deep reflection and not for finger-pointing,” Mr Haimbe said when he appeared on Diamond Television on Sunday.
Giving Mr Lungu a befitting send-off should not be a subject of debate or the acrimonious back-and-forth we have witnessed so far. He deserves it as a former head of State.
We must also remember that throughout his presidency and beyond, Mr Lungu was described as a humble and jovial leader. This was his trait and trademark.
Therefore, those who were close to ECL should remember this and not let their own egos overshadow his legacy.
Let’s give ECL befitting send-of
WE ARE a nation in mourning, and we should not add to our pain and sorrow by engaging in bickering and fighting.
The political grandstanding we have witnessed since the announcement of former President Edgar Lungu’s death last Friday is deeply concerning. It raises significant worries as it has the potential to erode the peace and unity we have enjoyed for decades.
We cannot continue down this path of conflict even though we are a nation of diverse views. There is a common place that should unite us, where the only thing that matters is our shared humanity. And this is that place.
This is a time for all of us to feel the weight of loss and pain together. The war of words must come to an end—it must end now. We should mourn our fallen leader with civility and respect.
Although death remains an enduring mystery, we have been on this path before, and it is crucial that we reflect on the
lessons we learnt during those dark moments. We should remember how we mourned Levy Mwanawasa, Michael Sata, Frederick Chiluba, Rupiah Banda, and our beloved Kenneth Kaunda. We stood united then, even when the stakes were high – much higher than now.
Therefore, we urge the Lungu family, the Patriotic Front (PF) family, and Government to engage in meaningful dialogue to avoid any unnecessary stand-offs.
We also want to remind PF and the Lungu family that their party leader—and their father, uncle, or brother—had a larger family beyond their immediate circle.
Many people touched by ECL during his presidency wish to bid him farewell.
There are numerous individuals who loved the former president but did not belong to PF; they, too, deserve the opportunity to pay their last respects to him. We must not deny them this chance due to selfish or ulterior motives.
There are many citizens who did not belong to PF, but who sympathise with the widow, Esther Lungu, and the children. They must be allowed to show their humanity towards the family.
Since the passing of Mr Lungu last week, there has been an overwhelming expression of grief. This response has not come solely from his political party or just his family; rather, it has come from all corners of our country and even beyond our borders.
This is because Mr Lungu was the president of our nation, and he impacted countless lives, reaching far beyond his party and family.
And it is those countless people that he interacted with, those people whose lives he touched, that must be accorded the chance to pay him their last respects, alongside his family, friends and compatriots.
The troops that Mr Lungu once commanded as Commander-in-Chief wish to bid him farewell with the honours that reflect his stature. They must be allowed to perform their military funeral rites.
We, therefore, agree with Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa that the former head of State deserves a send-off that reflects his status.
“As a country, we should not focus on issues that distract us especially during this period of national mourning. This is the period for deep reflection and not for finger-pointing,” Mr Haimbe said when he appeared on Diamond Television on Sunday.
Giving Mr Lungu a befitting send-off should not be a subject of debate or the acrimonious back-and-forth we have witnessed so far. He deserves it as a former head of State.
We must also remember that throughout his presidency and beyond, Mr Lungu was described as a humble and jovial leader. This was his trait and trademark.
Therefore, those who were close to ECL should remember this and not let their own egos overshadow his legacy.