STATEMENT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE PASSING OF FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA H.E. MR. EDGAR LUNGU

The Secretary-General of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), H.E. Moussa Saleh Batraki, expresses profound sorrow at the passing of former Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu on 5 June 2025. On behalf of the Organisation, he extends heartfelt condolences to the Government and People of Zambia.

Secretary-General Batraki extends his deepest sympathies to President Lungu’s family, who bear the greatest weight of this loss. May they find comfort in the enduring respect and gratitude held for his service, and may his memory continue to inspire future generations. The Organisation shares in their grief and honors his legacy with profound respect and affection.

Secretary-General Batraki recalls with great esteem, President Lungu’s tenure as Head of State of the Republic of Zambia from 2015 to 2021, marked a period of active engagement of his country with the OACPS. He recalls his steadfast advocacy for debt relief for developing countries and his principled leadership during the global COVID-19 pandemic. President Lungu consistently championed the cause of multilateralism and worked to elevate Zambia’s diplomatic profile both within Africa and on the international stage.

The Secretary-General reiterates the OACPS solidarity with the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, during this time of mourning and reaffirms its support to the nation as it reflects on the legacy of a leader devoted to regional cooperation, resilience, and economic justice.