Lusaka: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has extended condolences to the Zambian nation following the death of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Lungu, who served as Zambia's sixth president from 2015 to 2021, died on Thursday aged 68 after receiving specialized medical treatment at a clinic in South Africa.

In her message of condolences issued Thursday evening, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the death of the former president is deeply felt by the Namibian people, who have forged strong bonds of friendship with the Zambian people over many decades. She highlighted that the Namibian people have greatly benefited from the generosity of the Zambian government and its people, who hosted the liberation movement Swapo and its leadership at significant cost to their own internal security.

The Head of State further indicated that, at independence in 1990, Namibia relied on Zambian expertise in developing administrative frameworks for government, noting that President Lungu continued with the tradition of close cooperation and friendship between the two nations. Nandi-Ndaitwah, recalling her meetings with Lungu during his tenure, emphasized his resolute commitment to stronger bilateral cooperation between Namibia and Zambia.

On behalf of the people and Government of Namibia, she conveyed heartfelt condolences to President Hakainde Hichilema and former First Lady Madam Esther Lungu, their children, and the entire bereaved family. Lungu lost his bid for re-election to President Hichilema in 2021.