Ariddia
19-08-2008, 16:15
The Zambian president, Levy Mwanawasa, died in hospital in Paris today at the age of 59.
Mwanawasa, who was credited with fighting corruption and modernising the economy of one of the world's biggest copper-producing nations, had suffered a stroke in June.
His death was announced in a statement from the office of the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy.
In it, Sarkozy paid tribute to Mwanawasa, describing his death as "a great loss for the African continent" and to democracy.
Earlier today, Zambian state media reported that Mwanawasa's condition had worsened. News of his death was later announced on state television by the vice-president, Rupiah Banda.
Mwanasa's health had caused concern for some time. A near-fatal road accident in 1991 left him with slurred speech and he had a minor stroke in April 2006, only four months before winning his second term of office.
In July, the Zambian government was forced to deny erroneous reports that he had died.
Mwanawasa, a practising lawyer, had served as Zambia's solicitor general in the early 1990s.
He was chosen by his predecessor as president, Frederick Chiluba, to lead the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy and came to power in 2002.
One of the first African leaders to publically criticise Robert Mugabe, he described Zimbabwe as "a catastrophe" and voiced anger at the conduct of its presidential elections earlier this year.
Mwanawasa attracted billions of dollars in debt relief to Zambia after cracking down on government spending and launching an anti-corruption drive.
However, critics accused him of using the fight against corruption as a smokescreen for the persecution of political rivals.
He fell out with Chiluba after pressing for the ex-president's immunity from prosecution to be lifted. Chiluba was subsequently charged with stealing money during his time in power.
Banda will take over the presidency following the death of Mwanawasa, who was married with six children, but the Zambian constitution means elections should be held within 90 days.
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3395/mwanawasa460zo3.jpg
(link (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/19/zambia?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront))
Mwanawasa, who was credited with fighting corruption and modernising the economy of one of the world's biggest copper-producing nations, had suffered a stroke in June.
His death was announced in a statement from the office of the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy.
In it, Sarkozy paid tribute to Mwanawasa, describing his death as "a great loss for the African continent" and to democracy.
Earlier today, Zambian state media reported that Mwanawasa's condition had worsened. News of his death was later announced on state television by the vice-president, Rupiah Banda.
Mwanasa's health had caused concern for some time. A near-fatal road accident in 1991 left him with slurred speech and he had a minor stroke in April 2006, only four months before winning his second term of office.
In July, the Zambian government was forced to deny erroneous reports that he had died.
Mwanawasa, a practising lawyer, had served as Zambia's solicitor general in the early 1990s.
He was chosen by his predecessor as president, Frederick Chiluba, to lead the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy and came to power in 2002.
One of the first African leaders to publically criticise Robert Mugabe, he described Zimbabwe as "a catastrophe" and voiced anger at the conduct of its presidential elections earlier this year.
Mwanawasa attracted billions of dollars in debt relief to Zambia after cracking down on government spending and launching an anti-corruption drive.
However, critics accused him of using the fight against corruption as a smokescreen for the persecution of political rivals.
He fell out with Chiluba after pressing for the ex-president's immunity from prosecution to be lifted. Chiluba was subsequently charged with stealing money during his time in power.
Banda will take over the presidency following the death of Mwanawasa, who was married with six children, but the Zambian constitution means elections should be held within 90 days.
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3395/mwanawasa460zo3.jpg
(link (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/19/zambia?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront))