Overview

• Lungu died on June 5, 2025, in a Pretoria hospital following specialized care for achalasia, a disorder that narrows the food pipe.
• As Zambia’s sixth president from 2015 to 2021, he elevated the country’s diplomatic profile and launched major infrastructure projects.
• His administration wrestled with a severe economic downturn culminating in a 2020 sovereign debt default.
• Critics faulted his use of emergency powers and rapid enactment of cybercrime legislation for stifling opposition and media freedoms.
• His daughter Tasila Lungu-Mwansa said the family managed his health issues with dignity and privacy, honoring his wishes for discretion.