Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has abruptly ended the national mourning for former President Edgar Lungu following an escalating standoff between his family and the government over burial plans.

It follows the last-minute cancellation of the return of Lungu’s body from South Africa by his family on Wednesday, leaving the country uncertain about when and where the former president will be buried.

In his address President Hakainde Hichilema announced an immediate end to the mourning period, saying the country needed to “resume normal life”.

The national mourning period initially ran from 8 to 14 June but was later extended until 23 June, with flags flying at half-mast and radio stations playing solemn music.

The extension followed a meeting between government officials and Lungu’s family in an attempt to resolve the deadlock over his funeral programme.

Burial arrangements had been finalised and his remains were due to be flown back home on Wednesday on a private charter plane.

President Hichilema and senior officials had been prepared to receive the coffin with full military honours, and plans were set for the body to lie in state at Lungu’s residence before a funeral this Sunday and burial Monday.

However, on Wednesday Lungu’s family halted the repatriation of Lungu’s remains, saying the government had reneged on its agreement over the funeral plans.

The government expressed regret over the family’s action and issued an apology to the South African government and military, who had prepared for the handover.

Hichilema said his government had “reached a point where a clear decision has to be made,” adding that the country “cannot afford a state of indefinite mourning”.

The opposition Patriotic Front (PF), the party Lungu led until his death, has backed the family’s position.

Lungu, who led Zambia from 2015 to 2021, died earlier June month in South Africa where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.