Profiles In Leadership: Edgar Lungu

Edgar Chagwa Lungu was born in Ndola Central Hospital on November 11th 1956. After graduating from the University of Zambia, Lungu worked in both law and the military before entering politics, initially involved as a member United Party for National Development (UPND) before joining the Patriotic Front (PF). 

Political Career

In 2010 Edgar Lungu had his legal licence taken away from him and was suspended by the Law Association of Zambia after he was found guilty of professional misconduct for misappropriating money meant for retirees of Lafarge. 

It was only shortly after this debacle that President Lungu started his role as the Junior Minister in the Vice President’s office after the PF won the election in 2011. 

After the death of Michael Sata in 2014, President Lungu was immediately viewed as one of the main contenders to succeed Sata in a presidential by-election. On 25th January 2015, Edgar Lungu was sworn in as President of Zambia with just 48.3% of the vote. He was sworn in for a second time after the August 11thelections in 2016. This has subsequently raised questions around his eligibility to run for a third term in office, as the Zambian constitution clearly states that “A person who has twice held office as President is not eligible for election as president.” 

Not only are President Lungu’s re-election prospects questionable, but his time as president has also brought with it lots of corruption, debt and inflation. Lungu’s controversial political career may be coming to an end if Amnesty International have anything to do about it. In a report published within the last week, they said that “what we have seen in Zambia, especially in the past five years, is an increasingly brutal crackdown on human rights, characterized by brazen attacks on any form of dissent.”  

Poor Health 

In March 2015, only two months into his presidency, Lungu collapsed while giving a speech to commemorate International Women’s Day in Lusaka. Following the collapse Lungu required treatment abroad as Zambian hospitals did not have the facilities to aid his recovery. 

A second similar event happened only weeks ago as he collapsed during a National Defence Day event. 

In spite of these events, both requiring medical assistance, Mr Lungu is yet to make drastic improvement to the state of the country’s health system. Hundreds of doctors remain unemployed and, for those who are employed, may of them go unpaid due to mismanaged finances and high government debt. 

Personal Life

Edgar Lungu married Esther in 1986 with whom he has six children. He and his family are practicing Baptists.