Story
21 September 2026
65 Years On, Dag Hammarskjöld’s Legacy of Peace Still Speaks to Zambia
A Swedish diplomat and the second Secretary-General of the United Nations, Hammarskjöld devoted his life to peace, diplomacy and international cooperation. He died on 18 September 1961 when the aircraft carrying him and 15 others crashed near Ndola while he was on a peace mission during the Congo crisis.On 18 September 2026, Zambia, Sweden and the United Nations gathered at the Dag Hammarskjöld Memorial to honour the man, remember those who died alongside him, and reflect on the unfinished work of peace that brought him to Africa.The commemoration was more than a remembrance ceremony. It brought together Zambia’s Defence Forces, members of the diplomatic corps, United Nations representatives, government officials, delegates from Sweden, students from Mukuba University and pupils from Dag Hammarskjöld Primary School. Together, they demonstrated the enduring relevance of a legacy that continues to bridge generations, nations and institutions.For Mr. Kagosi Mwamulowe, Executive Director of the National Heritage Conservation Commission, the memorial represents far more than a monument to a Swedish statesman. He described it as a site of international significance and reminded those gathered that Hammarskjöld “was a person that was representing the global stage.”Mwamulowe also underscored the importance of preserving the site for future generations. The memorial, he said, is not only a place of remembrance but also a centre for education, public engagement and the promotion of peace. Zambia has designated the site a national monument, while efforts continue to strengthen its international heritage status.The spiritual dimension of the commemoration was highlighted in a homily delivered by the Zambia Army. Challenging attendees to reflect on their own role in building peace, the message stressed that lasting peace requires both justice and personal commitment. The reflection was followed by a 21-gun salute in honour of Dag Hammarskjöld.“Peace is not just the absence of bullets; it is the presence of justice,” Major (Father) Lazarus Mbewe said, before posing a question that seemed to reach far beyond the memorial grounds: “Are you a peacemaker or a peacebreaker in your family, in your community, nation or globally?”
His message also drew attention to Hammarskjöld’s willingness to leave his comfort zone in pursuit of peace. “Peace requires us to leave our comfort zone,” he reminded the gathering.For Sweden, the anniversary was both a moment of remembrance and reflection. Mr. Mikael Lindvall, Director-General for Global Affairs at Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thanked Zambia for hosting the ceremony and preserving the memorial site. He described Hammarskjöld as an “exceptional international civil servant” whose principles remain as relevant today as they were 65 years ago.Lindvall noted that the world continues to grapple with armed conflicts, geopolitical tensions and pressures on the rules-based international order. Honouring Hammarskjöld’s legacy, he said, requires continued commitment to “respect for international law, dialogue and confidence in multilateral cooperation.”The questions surrounding the circumstances of the 1961 crash also remain unresolved. Lindvall reaffirmed Sweden’s support for efforts to establish what happened, noting that the unanswered questions “continue to warrant further investigation.”Mr. James Swan, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), linked Hammarskjöld’s legacy directly to the realities of modern peacekeeping. He described him as “a courageous hero in the cause of peace” whose leadership was marked by “integrity in the face of raw power, compassion for those who are suffering and humility.”Swan said Hammarskjöld believed that dialogue must remain possible even amid profound disagreement. For those engaged in contemporary peace operations, he added, his example remains a powerful guide: “International law matters. Civilians must be protected. Political differences ultimately require political solutions.”One of the ceremony’s most moving moments came through a poem performed by Ms. Given Chiwele of the Dag Hammarskjöld Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies at Copperbelt University. Traversing the origins of civilisation and the conflicts of today, her poem questioned whether humanity had forgotten the value of dialogue.“Why did you choose the battlefield?” she asked, imagining future generations reflecting on opportunities for peace that were lost. Yet her message ultimately affirmed hope and reconciliation: “We reached out, we held on, we spoke, we listened. We negotiated.”The pupils of Dag Hammarskjöld Primary School brought a different energy to the memorial. Through songs and poetry, they transformed the solemn occasion into a living lesson on peace, demonstrating that Hammarskjöld’s story is not confined to history books but continues to inspire new generations.Guest of Honour Mr. Oliver Kalaba, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, said the memorial should remind future generations that peace is a shared responsibility. He acknowledged that important questions surrounding the crash remain unanswered and reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to efforts aimed at establishing what happened on that fateful night.At the same time, Kalaba stressed that Hammarskjöld’s legacy extends far beyond the circumstances of his death. His contribution, he said, reflected “a profound commitment to the peaceful resolution of international disputes” and to safeguarding the independence and effectiveness of the United Nations.For Ms. Margaret Phiri, a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism student at Mukuba University, the day offered lessons that extended beyond history. “Heritage of this kind is never only about monuments,” she said. “It is about meaning and about opportunity.”Her words captured perhaps the most enduring message of the anniversary. The Dag Hammarskjöld Memorial stands at the intersection of history, diplomacy, peace, education and tourism. It is a place where past and present meet, inviting reflection on the choices that shape societies and nations.Sixty-five years after his final mission, the man who came to Africa in search of peace is still bringing people together. Soldiers stood alongside diplomats. Government officials shared space with UN representatives. University students sat beside primary school children.And in the quiet grounds where Hammarskjöld’s journey ended, his legacy continues to pose a simple yet demanding question: What will each generation do with the opportunity to choose peace?
His message also drew attention to Hammarskjöld’s willingness to leave his comfort zone in pursuit of peace. “Peace requires us to leave our comfort zone,” he reminded the gathering.For Sweden, the anniversary was both a moment of remembrance and reflection. Mr. Mikael Lindvall, Director-General for Global Affairs at Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thanked Zambia for hosting the ceremony and preserving the memorial site. He described Hammarskjöld as an “exceptional international civil servant” whose principles remain as relevant today as they were 65 years ago.Lindvall noted that the world continues to grapple with armed conflicts, geopolitical tensions and pressures on the rules-based international order. Honouring Hammarskjöld’s legacy, he said, requires continued commitment to “respect for international law, dialogue and confidence in multilateral cooperation.”The questions surrounding the circumstances of the 1961 crash also remain unresolved. Lindvall reaffirmed Sweden’s support for efforts to establish what happened, noting that the unanswered questions “continue to warrant further investigation.”Mr. James Swan, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), linked Hammarskjöld’s legacy directly to the realities of modern peacekeeping. He described him as “a courageous hero in the cause of peace” whose leadership was marked by “integrity in the face of raw power, compassion for those who are suffering and humility.”Swan said Hammarskjöld believed that dialogue must remain possible even amid profound disagreement. For those engaged in contemporary peace operations, he added, his example remains a powerful guide: “International law matters. Civilians must be protected. Political differences ultimately require political solutions.”One of the ceremony’s most moving moments came through a poem performed by Ms. Given Chiwele of the Dag Hammarskjöld Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies at Copperbelt University. Traversing the origins of civilisation and the conflicts of today, her poem questioned whether humanity had forgotten the value of dialogue.“Why did you choose the battlefield?” she asked, imagining future generations reflecting on opportunities for peace that were lost. Yet her message ultimately affirmed hope and reconciliation: “We reached out, we held on, we spoke, we listened. We negotiated.”The pupils of Dag Hammarskjöld Primary School brought a different energy to the memorial. Through songs and poetry, they transformed the solemn occasion into a living lesson on peace, demonstrating that Hammarskjöld’s story is not confined to history books but continues to inspire new generations.Guest of Honour Mr. Oliver Kalaba, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, said the memorial should remind future generations that peace is a shared responsibility. He acknowledged that important questions surrounding the crash remain unanswered and reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to efforts aimed at establishing what happened on that fateful night.At the same time, Kalaba stressed that Hammarskjöld’s legacy extends far beyond the circumstances of his death. His contribution, he said, reflected “a profound commitment to the peaceful resolution of international disputes” and to safeguarding the independence and effectiveness of the United Nations.For Ms. Margaret Phiri, a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism student at Mukuba University, the day offered lessons that extended beyond history. “Heritage of this kind is never only about monuments,” she said. “It is about meaning and about opportunity.”Her words captured perhaps the most enduring message of the anniversary. The Dag Hammarskjöld Memorial stands at the intersection of history, diplomacy, peace, education and tourism. It is a place where past and present meet, inviting reflection on the choices that shape societies and nations.Sixty-five years after his final mission, the man who came to Africa in search of peace is still bringing people together. Soldiers stood alongside diplomats. Government officials shared space with UN representatives. University students sat beside primary school children.And in the quiet grounds where Hammarskjöld’s journey ended, his legacy continues to pose a simple yet demanding question: What will each generation do with the opportunity to choose peace?
