Online Reporter
Kuda Bwititi, Zimpapers Politics Hub
SADC Chairperson, President Mnangagwa, yesterday dispatched Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga to Zambia to meet with President Hakainde Hichilema in a bid to ease tensions surrounding the burial of Zambia’s sixth former President, Edgar Lungu — a situation that had threatened to escalate.
Former President Lungu, aged 68, passed away on June 5 while receiving medical treatment in South Africa.
His family said the former President had barred President Hichilema from attending the funeral, sparking a dispute with the Zambian Head of State.
However, in his capacity as SADC Chairperson, President Mnangagwa deployed Vice-President Chiwenga as his Special Envoy yesterday to engage in quiet diplomacy and mediate the disagreement.
In an interview last night, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet responsible for Presidential Communications, Mr George Charamba, confirmed that President Mnangagwa had sent Vice-President Chiwenga as his Special Envoy.
“This is part and parcel of the responsibilities of the SADC Chair. It also reflects Zimbabwe’s typical approach of quiet diplomacy, which is solution-oriented.
“The President, as Chair of SADC, has been closely monitoring developments in Zambia following the passing of that country’s sixth president and the apparent misunderstanding between the current president and the Lungu family.
“As a result, and following consultations with other regional stakeholders, the President this morning (yesterday) dispatched Vice-President Chiwenga to Zambia to reaffirm Zimbabwe’s and the SADC Chair’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the impasse.”
Diplomatic sources indicated that President Mnangagwa’s intervention had been effective, with his mediation helping to avert a potentially volatile situation.
“Had the impasse continued, it could have led to a highly problematic scenario — burying a former Head of State without the presence of the current Head of State. That would have set a very unfortunate precedent,” said the sources.
Following his meeting with Vice-President Chiwenga, President Hichilema expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa for his intervention.
“We are very grateful that you have shared in our grief. We do not take our neighbours for granted. When such gestures are extended to us, it is only right that we express our thanks . . . Please convey our appreciation to President Mnangagwa,” he said.
President Hichilema acknowledged the ongoing challenges with the Lungu family, stating that he would continue to pursue dialogue in line with President Mnangagwa’s counsel.
“We have faced difficulties with the family in reaching agreement on burial arrangements.
“By now, we would have announced the programme. However, we believe consensus is within reach. My approach, as Head of State, is to prioritise dialogue over confrontation. . . not to wield presidential powers unnecessarily.
“Engaging with the family, listening to their concerns and wishes, is something we have chosen to invest in.
“We apologise for the delay, but we are confident that an amicable resolution will be reached. Once that happens, we will communicate the funeral programme to Zimbabwe through President Mnangagwa and yourself,” said President Hichilema.
