Edgar Lungu

File:Edgar Lungu January 2015.jpg

Lungu was born 11 November 1956 at Ndola Central Hospital. After graduating with a LL.B. in 1981 from the University of Zambia, he joined the law firm Andrea Masiye and Company in Lusaka. He subsequently underwent military officer training at Miltez in Kabwe under Zambia National Service (ZNS). He then returned to practising law. He then joined politics.{{Cite web |title=Spotlight on Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/3261/spotlight-on-zambias-president-edgar-lungu/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=The Africa Report.com |language=en}}{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}}

In 2010, Edgar Lungu had his law practicing licence suspended by the Law Association of Zambia. This was after he was found guilty of professional misconduct.{{Cite web|url=https://zambia.co.zm/news/headlines/2010/07/29/laz-suspends-misa-lawyer-edgar-lungu/|title=LAZ suspends MISA lawyer Edgar Lungu|last=Zambian Watchdog|date=29 July 2010|access-date=3 April 2020|archive-date=7 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607145928/https://zambia.co.zm/news/headlines/2010/07/29/laz-suspends-misa-lawyer-edgar-lungu/|url-status=dead}}

Edgar Lungu stood as an independent parliamentary candidate in Chawama constituency at the 1996 general election,{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2015-01-26 |title=Meet Zambian President Edgar Chagwa Lungu |url=https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/meet-zambian-president-edgar-chagwa-lungu/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=herald |language=en-US}} with Christon Tembo of the MMD winning the seat ahead of him.[https://www.parliament.gov.zm/sites/default/files/images/publication_docs/Members%20of%20Parliament%20of%20Zambia%201924-2021%20First%20Edition%20March%202021..pdf Members of Parliament of Zambia 1964 - 2021] After the formation of the United Party for National Development in December 1998, Lungu joined the party.

After the formation of the Patriotic Front in 2001, Lungu joined the party and stood in Chawama constituency at the 2001 general election as the Patriotic Front's candidate, where he finished seventh in a field of eleven candidates with 2.43% of the vote.[https://www.elections.org.zm/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2001-Presidential-Election-Results.pdf 2001 Presidential Election Results - Electoral Commission of Zambia]

At the 2011 general election, Lungu once again stood as the Patriotic Front candidate for Chawama constituency and won the parliamentary seat.{{Cite web |title=Edgar Chagwa Lungu |url=https://www.parliament.gov.zm/node/297 |access-date=2024-11-02 |website=National Assembly of Zambia}} After the PF won that 2011 election, Lungu became Junior Minister in the Vice-President's office. He was subsequently promoted to Minister of Home Affairs on 9 July 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.lusakatimes.com/2012/07/10/labour-ministry-realigned-masebo-lungu-appointed-cabinet-ministers/ |title=Labour and Tourism Ministry re-aligned again, Masebo, Lungu appointed as Cabinet Ministers|website=Lusaka Times|date=10 July 2012 }} He became Minister of Defence on 24 December 2013{{cite web|url=http://www.zambianwatchdog.com/edgar-lungu-is-new-defense-minister/|title=Edgar Lungu is new Defense Minister|website=Zambian Watchdog|access-date=24 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226111143/http://www.zambianwatchdog.com/edgar-lungu-is-new-defense-minister/|archive-date=26 December 2013|url-status=dead}} after Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba resigned from his ministerial post, and he functioned as Acting President during President Michael Sata's long-term illness in 2013–14. He has also held a string of central positions in his party, including Chair of the PF Central Committee on Discipline, and he became PF Secretary General and Minister of Justice on 28 August 2014 to replace Wynter Kabimba, who was fired.{{Cite news |title=Zambia: Wynter 'Bruised'.. Edgar Lungu Is New Justice Minister and PF Secretary General |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201408290077.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160530205728/http://allafrica.com/stories/201408290077.html |archive-date=2016-05-30 |access-date=2025-05-26 |work=allAfrica.com |language=en}}

Sata went abroad for medical treatment on 19 October 2014, leaving Lungu in charge of the country in his absence.{{Cite news |date=2014-10-20 |title=Zambian President Michael Sata goes for medical check-up |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29692576 |access-date=2025-05-26 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Party rivalries grow as Sata ails |url=https://www.africa-confidential.com/index.aspx?pageid=21&articleid=5814 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=www.africa-confidential.com |language=en}} Sata died on 28 October 2014. Vice-President Dr. Guy Scott took over as Acting President, and Lungu was viewed as one of the main contenders to ultimately succeed Sata in a presidential by-election.{{Cite web|author1=Amy Copley|author2=Mwangi S. Kimenyi|date=30 October 2014|title=The Death of President Michael Sata and Issues of the Health of African Leaders|url=https://www.brookings.edu/blog/africa-in-focus/2014/10/30/the-death-of-president-michael-sata-and-issues-of-the-health-of-african-leaders/|access-date=2021-05-17|website=Brookings|language=en-US}}

On 3 November 2014, Acting President Dr. Guy Scott dismissed Lungu as Secretary-General of the PF.{{Cite web |date=2012-01-12 |title=Zambia : Why Guy Lindsay Scott Qualifies to Stand as President of the Republic of Zambia |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2012/01/12/guy-lindsay-scott-qualifies-stand-president-republic-zambia/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |language=en-GB}} He replaced him with Davis Mwila, the Member of Parliament for Chipili. The next day, Scott reinstated Lungu.{{Cite web |date=2014-11-04 |title=Zambia : Guy Scott reinstates Edgar Lungu as Secretary General until the burial |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2014/11/04/guy-scott-reinstates-edgar-lungu-secretary-general-burial/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |language=en-GB}} On 30 November, Lungu was elected as President of the Patriotic Front at a national convention of the party held in Kabwe, Zambia. However, the convention was unusual because no voting took place. Instead, the unaccredited delegates elected him by raising hands.{{Cite web|date=2014-12-09|title=Zambia: PF credibility badly damaged by Lungu's election – By Arthur Simuchoba|url=https://africanarguments.org/2014/12/zambia-pf-credibility-badly-damaged-by-lungus-election-by-arthur-simuchoba/|access-date=2021-05-17|website=African Arguments|language=en-GB}}{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}}

File:Inauguration of Edgar Lungu.jpg

On 20 January 2015, Lungu contested the presidential by-election and beat his closest rival Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development by a narrow majority of just 27,757 votes (1.66%), with just 32.36% of the registered electorate participating.{{Cite web |title=2015 Presidential Election :: Electoral Commission of Zambia |url=http://www.elections.org.zm/results/2015_presidential_election#cm3 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20181010122640/https://www.elections.org.zm/results/2015_presidential_election |archive-date=2018-10-10 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=www.elections.org.zm |language=en}} He was declared the winner by the Electoral Commission of Zambia on 24 January.{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}}

Lungu was sworn in as President of Zambia on 26 January 2015 at the National Heroes Stadium in the capital Lusaka.Matthew Hill, [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-25/edgar-lungu-sworn-in-as-president-of-zambia-in-lusaka.html "Zambian Ruling Party's Edgar Lungu Inaugurated as President"], Bloomberg, 25 January 2015. The following month, Lungu forced the head of the central bank out of office and promised lower interest rates. He appointed Inonge Wina as Zambia's first female Vice-President.Matthew Hill,[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-13/zambian-president-names-denny-kalyalya-as-central-bank-governor-i63nj3ws "Zambia central bank chief replaced as president vows lower rates"], Bloomberg, 13 February 2015.

In March 2015 Lungu collapsed while holding a speech commemorating International Women's Day in Lusaka. After spending a short while in a Zambian hospital he had an operation for his narrowed oesophagus in Pretoria, South Africa.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31795526 |title=Edgar Lungu collapse: Zambian president 'needs treatment abroad' |work=BBC News |date=9 March 2015 |access-date=3 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/zambia-lungu-surgery-idUSL6N0WG02620150314 |title=Zambia's president recovering after surgery in South Africa |publisher=Reuters |date=14 March 2015 |access-date=3 January 2016}} Lungu commuted the death sentences of 332 prisoners to life in prison on 16 July 2015 and condemned the massive overcrowding at the Mukobeko prison, calling it "an affront to basic human dignity".{{Cite news |date=2015-07-16 |title=Zambian president gives death row inmates life sentences |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-zambia-prison-idUSKCN0PQ18M20150716/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}}

In October 2015, Lungu ordered a national day of prayer in hopes of preventing further damage to the economy. Top religious and political officials participated, and other public events were cancelled. 18 October was officially registered as an annual public holiday in Zambia named the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation.{{Cite web|date=2019-10-19|title=Zambia : Zambians mark the day of National Prayers|url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2019/10/19/zambians-mark-the-day-of-national-prayers/|access-date=2021-05-17|website=LusakaTimes.com|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=National Prayer Day in Zambia in 2021|url=https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/zambia/national-prayer-day|access-date=2021-05-17|website=Office Holidays|language=en}}[https://www.parliament.gov.zm/sites/default/files/images/publication_docs/Ministerial%20Statement%20on%20the%20the%20Preparations%20of%20this%20Year's%20National%20Day%20of%20Prayer_0.pdf Ministerial statement] Questions were raised about the freedom of journalists under Lungu's presidency, though he denied his government had stopped any journalists from reporting on, or interviewing, him. Lungu appealed to the media to report "truthfully."{{Cite web |date=2016-02-11 |title=President Lungu confident of being re-elected {{!}} Lusaka Voice |url=https://lusakavoice.com/2016/02/11/president-lungu-confident-of-being-re-elected/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |language=en-US}}

Lungu emphasized the diversification of Zambia's economy away from its decades-long dependence on copper mining, towards agriculture and other sectors, and sought investors for its energy sector -- declaring it was not safe to depend on hydro-electricity, and that climate change created a need for alternative energy.

During his interim term, he met with French President François Hollande in France (early 2016), and with Pope Francis in the Vatican (calling it an "experience of a lifetime").

{{See also|Presidential eligibility of Edgar Lungu}}

File:Vladimir Putin and Edgar Lungu, 26 july 2018 (1).jpg, 26 July 2018]]

Lungu ran for a full term in the August 2016 presidential election, which turned out to be a rematch of the 2015 presidential election between Lungu and UPND candidate Hakainde Hichilema. Lungu won the election with 50.32% of the vote, just a few thousand votes over the threshold for avoiding a run-off. He also increased his margin of victory over Hichilema to 100,530 votes or 2.72%. Hichilema refused to concede defeat after the announcement of official results and filed a petition before the Constitutional Court, asking for the results to be nullified due to irregularities. The court dismissed the case on 5 September 2016 and Lungu was inaugurated for a full five-year term of office on 13 September.{{Cite web|title=Zambian court dismisses presidential election challenge|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/zambian-court-dismisses-presidential-election-challenge/641359|access-date=2021-05-17|website=Anadolu Ajansi}}{{cite web|date=2016-09-05|title=Zambian court throws out election petition case, Lungu to hold inauguration|url=https://www.africanews.com/2016/09/05/zambian-court-throws-out-election-petition-case-lungu-to-hold-inauguration/|access-date=2021-05-17|website=Africanews|language=en}}{{Citation needed|date=December 2019}}

In December 2019, Lungu expressed anti-LGBT rhetoric, stating "Even animals don't do it, so why should we be forced to do it?... because we want to be seen to be smart, civilised and advanced and so on".{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-50630026|title=US diplomat 'threatened' in Zambia gay rights row|date=2019-12-02|access-date=2019-12-26|language=en-GB}}

Lungu once again stood as the Patriotic Front candidate at the August 2021 general election. He lost the election to his closest rival, Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development, getting almost a million votes less than Hichilema.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-16 |title=Zambian president Lungu concedes defeat after rival's landslide win |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/16/zambian-president-lungu-concedes-defeat-after-rivals-landslide-win.html |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=CNBC |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-08-16 |title=Zambia election: President Edgar Lungu concedes defeat |url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/rest-of-africa/zambia-edgar-lungu-concedes-defeat-3513492 |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=The East African |language=en}} Lungu conceded defeat as Hichilema was declared the winner on 16 August 2021 by the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

On 3 May 2023, police surrounded Lungu's residence in Lusaka and demanded access to search it. His lawyer said that police were conducting a search following a complaint against his wife over her suspicious ownership of the vehicles and a title deed.{{Cite news |date=2023-05-03 |title=Police surround Zambian ex-president's home in Lusaka |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-65361155 |access-date=2023-05-03 |language=en-GB}}

After the 2021 election, Edgar Lungu decided to retire from active politics,{{Cite news |date=2023-10-29 |title=Edgar Lungu - ex-Zambian president makes political comeback |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67254347 |access-date=2024-08-14 |language=en-GB}} leaving Given Lubinda as the Patriotic Front's acting president.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-10 |title=Zambia : Lubinda focused on Uniting PF rather than contesting for Presidency |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2022/04/10/lubinda-focused-on-uniting-pf-rather-than-contesting-for-presidency/ |access-date=2022-11-19 |language=en-GB}} Lungu made an official announcement of him returning to active politics on 28 October 2023, returning to being the leader of the Patriotic Front.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-28 |title=Ex-President Lungu returns to active politics, putting to rest months of speculations |work=Zambia Monitor |url=https://www.zambiamonitor.com/breaking-ex-president-lungu-returns-to-active-politics-putting-to-rest-months-of-speculations/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |language=en-US}} However, there was a controversial extraordinary general conference that had taken place earlier that October in which Miles Sampa was declared the president of the Patriotic Front (PF) party, defeating 7 other aspirants for the same position.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-25 |title=Zambia : Miles Sampa Elected as PF Party President in Controversial Extraordinary General Conference |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2023/10/25/miles-sampa-elected-as-pf-party-president-in-controversial-extraordinary-general-conference/#google_vignette |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=Lusaka Times |language=en-GB}} Emmanuel Mwamba (the PF Information and Publicity Chairperson) argued that that convention was illegal and that the convention that took place was contrary to the party's outlined procedures in its constitution. That convention left the PF party divided and the matter was soon taken to the Lusaka High Court.{{Cite web |last=Rajtoral |first=František |date=2023-12-01 |title=ga6789 |url=https://ga67899.net/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-28 |title=Zambia : Miles Sampa Remains PF President After High Court Lifts Injunction |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2023/10/28/miles-sampa-remains-pf-president-after-high-court-lifts-injunction/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |language=en-GB}} Therefore, the Patriotic Front party consisted of two factions, one with Miles Sampa as the leader and one with Given Lubinda as the leader.{{Cite web |date=2023-10-25 |title=PF finally torn apart? Faction declares Sampa president, another expels him; Court grants restraining order |work=Zambia Monitor |url=https://www.zambiamonitor.com/pf-finally-torn-apart-faction-declares-sampa-president-another-expels-him-court-grants-restraining-order/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |language=en-US}} After Lubinda gave back the PF presidential title to Lungu (thereby demoting himself to vice-president{{Cite web |date=2023-05-15 |title=POLICE ARREST PF VICE PRESIDENT GIVEN LUBINDA |work=Diamond Media |url=https://diamondtvzambia.com/police-arrest-pf-vice-president-given-lubinda/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-23 |title=Time will come when we shall have party after party, Lubinda assures PF members |url=https://diggers.news/local/2024/05/23/time-will-come-when-we-shall-have-party-after-party-lubinda-assures-pf-members/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=Zambia: News Diggers! |language=en-GB}}), the party remained with two factions (with Sampa as the leader of the other one).{{Cite news |last=Sinyangwe |first=Chiwoyu |date=9 November 2023 |title=Daggers drawn in Zambia as Lungu announces plans to retake control of main opposition |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/326788/daggers-drawn-in-zambia-as-lungu-announces-plans-to-retake-control-of-main-opposition/ |access-date=15 August 2024 |work=The Africa Report}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-02 |title=Zambia : Police Deployed to Guard PF Secretariat Amid Fears of Clashes Following Lungu's Return to Politics |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2023/11/02/police-deployed-to-guard-pf-secretariat-amid-fears-of-clashes-following-lungus-return-to-politics/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=Lusaka Times |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2024-07-07 |title=I'm still PF president, there's no pact with Lungu – Miles |url=https://diggers.news/local/2024/07/07/im-still-pf-president-theres-no-pact-with-lungu-miles/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=Zambia: News Diggers! |language=en-GB}} As the leader of one of the two factions of the PF, Lungu decided to join the United Kwacha Alliance (UKA), an alliance of opposition political parties in Zambia, in early 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-19 |title=Zambian politics nomadic in nature, we're waiting for others to join us – Lungu |url=https://diggers.news/local/2024/02/19/zambian-politics-nomadic-in-nature-were-waiting-for-others-to-join-us-lungu/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=Zambia: News Diggers! |language=en-GB}} On top of this battle with Miles Sampa over who is the rightful PF leader, there was an ongoing and contentious issue of the Presidential eligibility of Edgar Lungu due to the fact that he was previously elected twice (in January 2015 and August 2016) to be the president of Zambia.{{Cite web |last=Ndebele |first=Lenin |title=Zambia's former president Edgar Lungu faces a full trial to get on the 2026 ballot |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/africa/news/zambias-former-president-edgar-lungu-faces-a-full-trial-to-get-on-the-2026-ballot-20240710 |access-date=2024-07-22 |website=News24 |language=en-US}} A decision was made in July 2024 to have a full trial over the matter. The Constitutional Court decided that it would issue its ruling on 10 December 2024 in the case of Lungu's presidential eligibility.{{Cite web |last=Jere |first=Joshua |date=7 October 2024 |title=Judgement in Lungu's eligibility case set for December 10 |url=https://znbc.co.zm/news/judgement-in-lungus-eligibility-case-set-for-december-10/ |access-date=8 October 2024 |website=ZNBC}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-08 |title=ConCourt stops Sangwa from making oral arguments in Lungu eligibility case |url=https://diggers.news/courts/2024/10/08/concourt-stops-sangwa-from-making-oral-arguments-in-lungu-eligibility-case/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Zambia: News Diggers! |language=en-GB}}

In November 2024, Lungu's PF faction was invited to join the Tonse Alliance and it accepted, with Lungu being appointed as the alliance chairperson{{cite web |author=Kasabo, Angel |date=November 7, 2024 |title=TONSE ALLIANCE LUNCHED, ECL AT THE HELM |url=https://rcv.co.zm/tonse-alliance-lunched-ecl-at-the-helm/ |website=rcv.co.zm}} and being chosen as the presidential candidate for the alliance for the 2026 general election.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-07 |title=Zambia : Edgar Lungu Accepts 2026 Bid, Urges Opposition Unity Against Economic Crisis |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2024/11/07/4-edgar-lungu-accepts-2026-bid-urges-opposition-unity-against-economic-crisis/#google_vignette |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Lusaka Times |language=en-GB}} Due to the UKA not being in support of a political party belonging to more than one alliance, it was decided that Lungu and the PF are no-longer part of UKA.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-14 |title=PF has effectively resigned from UKA, we don't believe in duality – Saki |url=https://diggers.news/local/2024/11/14/pf-has-effectively-resigned-from-uka-we-dont-believe-in-duality-saki/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |website=Zambia: News Diggers! |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=LUNGU HAS NO PART IN UKA – SABOI … UKA can't be forced into a polygamous marriage |work=Daily Revelation News |url=https://dailyrevelationzambia.com/lungu-has-no-part-in-uka-saboi-uka-cant-be-forced-into-a-polygamous-marriage/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |work=Times of Zambia |title=UKA disowns 'double-dealers' |url=https://www.times.co.zm/?p=135538 |access-date=2024-11-14 |language=en-US}} Due to internal divisions within the PF, the Tonse Alliance decided that it will field candidates in any upcoming elections under the New Congress Party (NCP), including the 2026 general election where they plan to register Lungu as their presidential candidate.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-19 |title=Lungu to run under New Congress Party |url=https://zambianeye.com/lungu-to-run-under-new-congress-party/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Zambian Eye}}

On 10 December 2024, the Constitutional Court barred Lungu from running again for president as he had already served a maximum of two terms.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-10 |title=A Zambian court rules former leader Lungu can't run for president again in 2026 |url=https://apnews.com/article/zambia-president-election-lungu-hichilema-75f54b22d07eb8d571efc6ee515e7ace |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=AP News |language=en}} Despite this ruling, Edgar Lungu remained the president of his Patriotic Front faction and the alliance chairperson of the Tonse Alliance. In March 2025, the Tonse Alliance spokesperson, Sean Tembo, decided to petition the Constitutional Court over this decision.{{Cite web |last=zamobserver |date=2025-03-10 |title=Sean Tembo is today expected to petition the court on the eligibility of former President Edgar LUNGU - The Zambian Observer |url=https://zambianobserver.com/sean-tembo-is-today-expected-to-petition-the-court-on-the-eligibility-of-former-president-edgar-lungu/ |access-date=2025-04-05 |language=en-US}}

On 1 May 2025, Miles Sampa decided to reunite his Patriotic Front faction with the faction for Edgar Lungu, effectively stepping down from the party presidency.{{Cite web |title=Miles relinquishes PF presidency, endorses Lungu for 2026 |url=https://diggers.news/local/2025/05/02/miles-relinquishes-pf-presidency-endorses-lungu-for-2026/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=Zambia: News Diggers! |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=SICHULA |first=AUGUSTINE |date=2025-05-01 |title=Sampa endorses Lungu for 2026 presidency, confirms Zambia Monitor’s reports on moves to unite PF factions {{!}} Zambia Monitor |url=https://www.zambiamonitor.com/sampa-endorses-lungu-for-2026-presidency-confirms-zambia-monitors-reports-on-moves-to-unite-pf-factions/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-05-02 |title=Sampa endorses ECL for 2026 |url=https://www.dailynationzambia.com/2025/05/sampa-endorses-ecl-for-2026/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=Daily Nation |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Miles endorses Lungu for 2026 – Daily Revelation News |url=https://dailyrevelationzambia.com/miles-endorses-lungu-for-2026/ |access-date=2025-05-30 |language=en-US}} Lungu was handed back the party presidency and Given Lubinda was handed back the party vice-presidency (and therefore was acting president in Lungu's absence).

Lungu married Esther Lungu in 1986 and has six children, including Tasila Lungu, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Chawama (elected in 2021).{{cite news |date=27 January 2018 |title=Esther Lungu Tells story of how she met President Edgar Lungu |url=https://www.zambianobserver.com/esther-lungu-tells-story-of-how-she-met-president-edgar-lungu-why-she-has-enrolled-at-unza/|newspaper=The Zambian Observer}} He and his family are practicing Baptists.{{cite news|title=Lungu is a kind man |url=https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/?p=75667 |work=Zambia Daily Mail |date=9 August 2016 |access-date= 20 October 2016}}

Against All Odds, a biography of Lungu by the Zambian journalist and senior diplomat Anthony Mukwita, was published by Partridge Africa on 5 January 2017.{{cite news |title=Against All Odds: Zambia's President Edgar Chagwa Lungu's Rough Journey to State House | url=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/against-all-odds-anthony-mukwita/1125443683 |date=5 January 2017}}{{cite news |title=Against All Odds - Paperback (by Anthony Mukwita (Author))|date=5 January 2017| isbn=978-1482877243 | last1=Mukwita | first1=Anthony |publisher=Partridge }}{{cite news |title=Lungu's Rough Journey to State House goes global| url=https://www.daily-mail.co.zm/lungus-rough-journey-to-state-house-goes-global/ |date=9 January 2017}}{{cite news|title=Mukwita Says Book On Pres. Lungu's Journey To Plot One Selling Like Hot Cake|url=https://zambiareports.com/2017/03/11/mukwita-says-book-pres-lungus-journey-plot-one-selling-like-hot-cake/|date=11 March 2017|access-date=17 November 2019|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709190554/https://zambiareports.com/2017/03/11/mukwita-says-book-pres-lungus-journey-plot-one-selling-like-hot-cake/|url-status=dead}}

The book set records when it became the first Zambian book to go on sale at Barnes & Noble and the first Zambian book on a head of state to be featured in the London Book Fair in Hammersmith.{{cite news |title=Against All Odds: Zambia'S President Edgar Chagwa Lungu'S Rough Journey to State House |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tMPkDQAAQBAJ |date=5 January 2016|isbn = 9781482877250|last1 = Mukwita|first1 = Anthony| publisher=Partridge Africa }}

• List of international presidential trips made by Edgar Lungu

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{YouTube|gUfu7f8awuE|2015 Campaign video}}
• [https://www.lusakavoice.com/2016/02/11/president-lungu-confident-of-being-re-elected/ "President Lungu confident of being re-elected,"] (interviews, in English, by France 24 and Radio France International), February 11, 2016, Zambia Daily Mail on Lusaka Voice.

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Category:1956 births

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