Zambian President Michael Sata, who was nicknamed “King Cobra” for
his fiery tongue and larger-than-life personality, has died. He was 77.
Officials did not
disclose a cause of death. But Sata had traveled to London for
unspecified medical treatment last week. He died in a hospital there
Tuesday evening.
disclose a cause of death. But Sata had traveled to London for
unspecified medical treatment last week. He died in a hospital there
Tuesday evening.
“It’s shocking, it’s
devastating, because I knew he was sick. But I did not know it was going
to end this way,” said George Zulu, permanent secretary at the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. “(We) lost a man who devoted his whole life to his
country.”
devastating, because I knew he was sick. But I did not know it was going
to end this way,” said George Zulu, permanent secretary at the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. “(We) lost a man who devoted his whole life to his
country.”
Succession of office
Zambia’s constitution requires fresh elections to be called within 90 days.
Ministers were in a Cabinet meet Wednesday to discuss who will take over the reins in the interim period.
Defense Minister Edgar Lungu was appointed Acting President before Sata left for London.
“The acting president is still in charge, we are awaiting the cabinet announcement on the transition,” Zulu said.
The Cabinet meet will also discuss the eligibility of Vice President Guy Scott taking over.
Scott is a white Zambian
of Scottish descent. Even if he is named interim head, that will make
him the first white head of state in Africa since apartheid.
of Scottish descent. Even if he is named interim head, that will make
him the first white head of state in Africa since apartheid.
Absence of leadership
Sata took office in September 2011 after the incumbent President tearfully conceded in a televised speech, a rare moment in a continent known for volatile elections and leaders fighting their defeat tooth-and-nail.
Analysts hailed his election as an example of an African nation
with a vibrant democracy. But not too long after he took office,
speculation swirled over his lack of visibility — which especially
stood out for a man who loves the spotlight.
with a vibrant democracy. But not too long after he took office,
speculation swirled over his lack of visibility — which especially
stood out for a man who loves the spotlight.
Aides said his absence
was a result of private international visits, and maintained those trips
had nothing to do with medical treatment.
was a result of private international visits, and maintained those trips
had nothing to do with medical treatment.
The nation’s bloggers have frequently criticized what they describe as “absence of leadership,” leading him to make a surprise appearance in parliament last month and declare that he was not dead.
Political origins
Sata was born in the
Zambian town of Mpika in 1936, and worked as police officer during the
colonial administration. He later trained as a pilot in Russia before
returning home and helping develop housing projects in the nation.
Zambian town of Mpika in 1936, and worked as police officer during the
colonial administration. He later trained as a pilot in Russia before
returning home and helping develop housing projects in the nation.
During Zambia’s struggle
for independence from Britain, he jumped into politics, and later
founded the Patriotic Front — then an opposition party. His campaign
events electrified crowds drawn to his extroverted nature and fight for
the average man.
for independence from Britain, he jumped into politics, and later
founded the Patriotic Front — then an opposition party. His campaign
events electrified crowds drawn to his extroverted nature and fight for
the average man.
Sata, who narrowly lost
to his predecessor Rupiah Banda in 2008, was a major critic of Chinese
investment in the nation’s copper industry. He especially targeted
foreign companies that mistreat Zambian workers, making him popular
among the nation’s miners who accused the Chinese of deplorable work
conditions.
to his predecessor Rupiah Banda in 2008, was a major critic of Chinese
investment in the nation’s copper industry. He especially targeted
foreign companies that mistreat Zambian workers, making him popular
among the nation’s miners who accused the Chinese of deplorable work
conditions.
While in office, he
warned foreign companies that while their investment is crucial to his
nation, they must abide by the labor laws.
warned foreign companies that while their investment is crucial to his
nation, they must abide by the labor laws.
The veteran politician
has served in other positions, including city council, member of
parliament and cabinet minister for local government.
has served in other positions, including city council, member of
parliament and cabinet minister for local government.
Before his election, the tiny, copper-rich nation in southern Africa had been ruled by the same party for decades.
CNN.COM
