Edgar Lungu
| Edgar Lungu | |
|---|---|
 Zambian President Edgar Lungu | |
| Born | Ndola |
| Nationality | Zambian |
| Years active | 1960s to present |
| Known for | Former President of Zambia |
Edgar Lungu is a politician and former president of Zambia. He was inaugurated as the new president on Sunday 25 January 2015 in Lusaka, replacing the late Michael Sata. Before his elevation to the presidency, Lungu had worked for the Zambian government in various in capacities and also for the ruling Patriotic Front party.
Lungu was Zambian president between January 2015 and August 2021. He was succeeded by Hakainde Hichilema.
Background
Lungu was born in Ndola and went to school in the mining town of Kitwe on 11 November in 1946. He grew u in Chimwemwe township and went to Mukuba Secondary School. He studied at the University of Zambia and underwent military training, according to a profile by the Patriotic Front. He is married to Esther Lungu. He graduated as one of the best law students from the University of Zambia (UNZA) on October 17, 1981 and Law Practice Institute in 1982. He eventually attained his legal practicing certificate.[1]
Elections and Elevation to Presidency
Lungu, the nationalist candidate of the ruling Patriotic Front, took the oath of office on January 25 at the National Heroes Stadium in the capital, Lusaka after defeating Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the opposition United Party for National Development, by a 48.3 percent to 46.7 percent margin.[2]
Work history and Positions Held
Lungi is a trained lawyer and has worked for the state mining company and the local unit of Barclays Plc (BARC).[2]
- Deputy Minister in the vice president's office- 2001
- Minister of Justice- 2004
- Secretary General of the Patriotic Front- August 2014[2]
- Minister of Defence- 2013
- Minister of Home Affairs
- Chairman of the Patriotic Front Disciplinary Committee
- President of all African Parties
Factionalism
Lungu emerged as the ruling party’s presidential candidate in December after a public fight to succeed Sata saw him clash publicly with the then Acting President Guy Scott.[2] Lungu is said t have remained loyal to the then president Sata at a time when the party was torn apart by rivalry and factionalism. When Sata went to Britain for medical treatment, Lungu was left at the helm of the nation and this put him on the frontline of all factional wars that were taking place.[3] After the death of Sata, Guy Scott became acting president and he dramatically did not appoint Lungu Secretary General of the party as was expected. This further exposed the differences between the two.[3]
Appointments
Soon after his inauguration, Lungu appointed Inonge Wina who became the first female vice president. He then dropped Guy Scott who was tipped for the position.
References
- ↑ , Edgar Lungu Profile,retrieved:27 Jan 2015"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 M. Hill, Zambian Ruling Party’s Edgar Lungu Inaugurated as President,Bloomberg, published:25 Jan 2015,retrieved:27 Jan 2015"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 , Party rivalries grow as Sata ails,AllAfrica, published:24 Oct 2014,retrieved27 Jan 2015:"
|}
