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The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Edgar Lungu's death sparks outcry, allegations of poisoning and political suppression
Former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has died at the age of 68, with his final days clouded by political tension, medical struggles, and serious allegations of state-sponsored persecution. Lungu passed away on Thursday in a South African hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. However, the official silence on the cause of death and mounting accusations from his political allies have sparked a storm of controversy, including claims that the former head of state may have been poisoned to prevent him from contesting the 2026 presidential elections. Lungu, who served as Zambia's sixth president from 2015 to 2021, had announced a political comeback in late 2023 after years of relative quiet following his electoral defeat to current President Hakainde Hichilema (popularly known as HH). But what began as a bid to return to the ballot box quickly turned into a contentious and, some claim, dangerous standoff with the ruling administration. A Contested Comeback Lungu's return to politics was met with immediate resistance from the Hichilema-led government. In December 2024, the Constitutional Court ruled that Lungu was ineligible to contest again, arguing that his first, partial term from 2015 to 2016 counted as a full term under Zambia's constitutional two-term limit. Lungu's legal team and supporters decried the judgment as politically motivated, pointing to his widespread popularity among grassroots voters and within opposition coalitions as a threat to the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND). But critics say the court ruling was just the beginning of a broader campaign to shut Lungu out of national politics. Stripped of Protection and Benefits Soon after his political re-entry, Lungu was stripped of all retirement benefits typically afforded to former heads of state. These included state-provided security, official transportation, medical support, and diplomatic privileges. The government justified the move by citing a legal provision that bars retired presidents from engaging in politics if they wish to retain those benefits. While technically legal, the action had far-reaching consequences for Lungu's safety and well-being. Without state protection, his movements were left exposed. More alarmingly, his access to healthcare, particularly urgent specialist treatment, was severely limited. Sources within the Patriotic Front (PF), Lungu's party, say repeated requests for travel permits to receive medical care abroad were delayed or denied. 'He was denied not only political freedom but medical care too,' said a senior PF official. 'When it became clear that he needed to leave for urgent treatment, the government stalled. That decision may have cost him his life.' Allegations of Poisoning With the cause of Lungu's death yet to be officially confirmed, speculation is growing that he may have been deliberately poisoned. Though no forensic evidence has been made public, the PF is calling for an independent international investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. His daughter, Tasila Lungu-Mwansa, confirmed in a public statement that her father had been unwell for weeks and had travelled to South Africa under medical supervision. However, she also alluded to the family's belief that his condition may have been the result of "external interference" — a veiled reference to suspected foul play. PF leaders have taken a more direct stance. 'This was not a natural death,' said Brian Mundubile, a close ally of Lungu. 'We believe this was orchestrated to eliminate him politically and permanently.' Restricted Movement and Surveillance Beyond the courtroom and hospital bed, Lungu's daily life was increasingly policed. Police were reportedly stationed outside his home, monitoring his activities and restricting public engagements. Even routine morning jogs and Sunday church services were flagged as political activity and discouraged or blocked by law enforcement. 'It was humiliation, plain and simple,' said one family confidant. 'He was a former president being treated like a common criminal just for exercising and praying.' Human rights activists and opposition figures have condemned the government's treatment of Lungu as not only unconstitutional but dangerous for Zambia's democratic fabric. 'What happened to President Lungu sets a dangerous precedent,' said a representative of the Zambia Human Rights Commission. 'If a former president can be silenced this way, what protection exists for the ordinary citizen?'
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Edgar Lungu's death sparks outcry, allegations of poisoning and political suppression
Secretary General of Zambia's Patriotic Front Raphael Mangani Nakacinda addressing a media round table in Sandton Johannesburg on the impasse between the Zambian government and the Patriotic Front. Medical Staff at the hospital that treated President Lungu say they have been threatened by Zambian government officials who wanted to remove and repatriate the presidents body to Zambia without the family's consent or knowledge. Former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has died at the age of 68, with his final days clouded by political tension, medical struggles, and serious allegations of state-sponsored persecution. Lungu passed away on Thursday in a South African hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. However, the official silence on the cause of death and mounting accusations from his political allies have sparked a storm of controversy, including claims that the former head of state may have been poisoned to prevent him from contesting the 2026 presidential elections. Lungu, who served as Zambia's sixth president from 2015 to 2021, had announced a political comeback in late 2023 after years of relative quiet following his electoral defeat to current President Hakainde Hichilema (popularly known as HH). But what began as a bid to return to the ballot box quickly turned into a contentious and, some claim, dangerous standoff with the ruling administration. A Contested Comeback Lungu's return to politics was met with immediate resistance from the Hichilema-led government. In December 2024, the Constitutional Court ruled that Lungu was ineligible to contest again, arguing that his first, partial term from 2015 to 2016 counted as a full term under Zambia's constitutional two-term limit. Lungu's legal team and supporters decried the judgment as politically motivated, pointing to his widespread popularity among grassroots voters and within opposition coalitions as a threat to the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND). But critics say the court ruling was just the beginning of a broader campaign to shut Lungu out of national politics. Stripped of Protection and Benefits Soon after his political re-entry, Lungu was stripped of all retirement benefits typically afforded to former heads of state. These included state-provided security, official transportation, medical support, and diplomatic privileges. The government justified the move by citing a legal provision that bars retired presidents from engaging in politics if they wish to retain those benefits. While technically legal, the action had far-reaching consequences for Lungu's safety and well-being. Without state protection, his movements were left exposed. More alarmingly, his access to healthcare, particularly urgent specialist treatment, was severely limited. Sources within the Patriotic Front (PF), Lungu's party, say repeated requests for travel permits to receive medical care abroad were delayed or denied.'He was denied not only political freedom but medical care too,' said a senior PF official. 'When it became clear that he needed to leave for urgent treatment, the government stalled. That decision may have cost him his life.' Allegations of Poisoning With the cause of Lungu's death yet to be officially confirmed, speculation is growing that he may have been deliberately poisoned. Though no forensic evidence has been made public, the PF is calling for an independent international investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. His daughter, Tasila Lungu-Mwansa, confirmed in a public statement that her father had been unwell for weeks and had travelled to South Africa under medical supervision. However, she also alluded to the family's belief that his condition may have been the result of "external interference" — a veiled reference to suspected foul play. PF leaders have taken a more direct stance. 'This was not a natural death,' said Brian Mundubile, a close ally of Lungu. 'We believe this was orchestrated to eliminate him politically and permanently.' Restricted Movement and Surveillance Beyond the courtroom and hospital bed, Lungu's daily life was increasingly policed. Police were reportedly stationed outside his home, monitoring his activities and restricting public engagements. Even routine morning jogs and Sunday church services were flagged as political activity and discouraged or blocked by law enforcement.'It was humiliation, plain and simple,' said one family confidant. 'He was a former president being treated like a common criminal just for exercising and praying.' Human rights activists and opposition figures have condemned the government's treatment of Lungu as not only unconstitutional but dangerous for Zambia's democratic fabric. 'What happened to President Lungu sets a dangerous precedent,' said a representative of the Zambia Human Rights Commission. 'If a former president can be silenced this way, what protection exists for the ordinary citizen?'
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US warns Americans over new Zambian cybersecurity law
The US embassy in Zambia has warned its citizens to be wary of a new "intrusive" cybersecurity law introduced in the southern African country. The embassy issued an alert telling Americans "in or planning to visit Zambia of a new law that requires the interception and surveillance of all electronic communications in the country". This includes calls, emails, texts and streamed content "in-country to assess if they include any transmission of 'critical information,' a term the law defines so broadly that it could apply to almost any activity", the embassy says. Zambia's government said the law was needed to tackle online fraud and child pornography, as well as the spread of disinformation. Following the alert from the US embassy, Zambia's foreign ministry released a statement saying that the new law was "not intended to invade any person's privacy" - whether Zambians or foreigners. "The Law does not authorize mass or random surveillance. Any interception or data request requires a court-issued warrant," it said. The statement added that the "classification of 'critical information'" referred to national security, "and any assessments or actions taken are carried out by authorized institutions, in line with due process". There are fears that the law could be use against anyone who criticises the government, especially with elections due next year. Some Zambians have expressed concern that a new cybersecurity unit is being set up in the president's office. The new measure empowers a law enforcement officer with a warrant to enter any premises to search and seize a computer or computer system containing material that is either evidence necessary to prove an offence or acquired by a person as a result of an offence. It also allows the government to extradite Zambians deemed to have committed any offence under the law, with a range of jail terms prescribed. Offenders may be fined or jailed for between five and 15 years, depending on the crime they have committed. Among other provisions, the legislation requires Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies to proactively intercept all electronic communications. It was signed into law by President Hakainde Hichilema on 8 April with very little publicity and the first many Zambians knew about it was when the US embassy posted its alert on Facebook. "As this new law introduces an intrusive surveillance ecosystem significantly different from privacy protection provisions that prevail in many countries, the embassy of the United States encourages Americans living in Zambia or considering visiting the country to carefully assess the implications of this law and adjust accordingly," the US statement said. The alert came as a surprise to many as the US has widely been seen to enjoy a warm relationship with the Hichilema-led administration, although the ambassador has recently been critical of alleged corruption in the government. Zambia had enjoyed a frosty relationship with the US after the former government expelled its pro-gay rights ambassador Daniel Foote in 2019 but relations had improved since Hichilema was elected in 2021. Social commentator and civil rights activist Laura Miti accused the US embassy of "hypocrisy", while also labelling the new law "tyrannical". "Until Edward Snowden revealed the matter, the US secretly surveilled its citizens for years. He remains in exile and one of the most wanted people by American law enforcement," she wrote on Facebook. "That raises an eyebrow about this from the American embassy. Hypocritical really." However, she also condemned the new law. "This... is a very tyrannical law which the government only needs because it feels insecure." In 2021, while still in opposition, Hichilema opposed a similar law when the former government wanted to pass it, writing: "The Cyber Security and Crime Bill is not about preventing cyber-bullying. It is about clamping down on freedom of expression and spying on citizens." Opposition lawmaker Miles Sampa has accused Hichilema of performing a U-turn now that he is president. "My question is when did you change this stance to now sign a law that almost 100% prohibits us citizens from expressing ourselves on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, etc., without being jailed for 25 years or life imprisonment," he wrote on Facebook. "In the current state of the Cyber Laws that you have assented to, Mr President, you may as well also sign a martial law (State of Emergency) to discard democracy so we all stop talking and leave it to your good self to express alone." Zambia president orders ministers to stop sleeping in cabinet Bitcoin in the bush - the crypto mine in remote Zambia Drunken Zambian policeman freed 13 suspects to celebrate New Year 'My son is a drug addict, please help' - the actor breaking a Zambian taboo Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Zambian cybersecurity law: US embassy issues alert
The US embassy in Zambia has warned its citizens to be wary of a new "intrusive" cybersecurity law introduced in the southern African embassy issued an alert telling Americans "in or planning to visit Zambia of a new law that requires the interception and surveillance of all electronic communications in the country".This includes calls, emails, texts and streamed content "in-country to assess if they include any transmission of 'critical information,' a term the law defines so broadly that it could apply to almost any activity", the embassy government said the law was needed to tackle online fraud and child pornography, as well as the spread of disinformation. Following the alert from the US embassy, Zambia's foreign ministry released a statement saying that the new law was "not intended to invade any person's privacy" - whether Zambians or foreigners. "The Law does not authorize mass or random surveillance. Any interception or data request requires a court-issued warrant," it statement added that the "classification of 'critical information'" referred to national security, "and any assessments or actions taken are carried out by authorized institutions, in line with due process".There are fears that the law could be use against anyone who criticises the government, especially with elections due next Zambians have expressed concern that a new cybersecurity unit is being set up in the president's new measure empowers a law enforcement officer with a warrant to enter any premises to search and seize a computer or computer system containing material that is either evidence necessary to prove an offence or acquired by a person as a result of an also allows the government to extradite Zambians deemed to have committed any offence under the law, with a range of jail terms may be fined or jailed for between five and 15 years, depending on the crime they have other provisions, the legislation requires Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies to proactively intercept all electronic was signed into law by President Hakainde Hichilema on 8 April with very little publicity and the first many Zambians knew about it was when the US embassy posted its alert on Facebook."As this new law introduces an intrusive surveillance ecosystem significantly different from privacy protection provisions that prevail in many countries, the embassy of the United States encourages Americans living in Zambia or considering visiting the country to carefully assess the implications of this law and adjust accordingly," the US statement alert came as a surprise to many as the US has widely been seen to enjoy a warm relationship with the Hichilema-led administration, although the ambassador has recently been critical of alleged corruption in the had enjoyed a frosty relationship with the US after the former government expelled its pro-gay rights ambassador Daniel Foote in 2019 but relations had improved since Hichilema was elected in commentator and civil rights activist Laura Miti accused the US embassy of "hypocrisy", while also labelling the new law "tyrannical"."Until Edward Snowden revealed the matter, the US secretly surveilled its citizens for years. He remains in exile and one of the most wanted people by American law enforcement," she wrote on Facebook. "That raises an eyebrow about this from the American embassy. Hypocritical really."However, she also condemned the new law."This... is a very tyrannical law which the government only needs because it feels insecure."In 2021, while still in opposition, Hichilema opposed a similar law when the former government wanted to pass it, writing: "The Cyber Security and Crime Bill is not about preventing cyber-bullying. It is about clamping down on freedom of expression and spying on citizens."Opposition lawmaker Miles Sampa has accused Hichilema of performing a U-turn now that he is president."My question is when did you change this stance to now sign a law that almost 100% prohibits us citizens from expressing ourselves on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, etc., without being jailed for 25 years or life imprisonment," he wrote on Facebook."In the current state of the Cyber Laws that you have assented to, Mr President, you may as well also sign a martial law (State of Emergency) to discard democracy so we all stop talking and leave it to your good self to express alone." More Zambia stories from the BBC: Zambia president orders ministers to stop sleeping in cabinetBitcoin in the bush - the crypto mine in remote ZambiaDrunken Zambian policeman freed 13 suspects to celebrate New Year'My son is a drug addict, please help' - the actor breaking a Zambian taboo Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
