Rupiah Banda becomes Zambian president

  1. Posted on Thursday 21 August 2008 - 09:00
    Sam Banda Junior
    Image of Sam Banda Junior
    Sam Banda Junior, AfricaNews reporter Blantyre, Malawi
    Rupiah Banda, 72 vice president and a prominent businessman has taken over the leadership mantle, announced Zambian cabinet Secretary Joshua Kaganja on Wednesday . Kaganja added that vice president Banda was now running the country following the death of president Levy Mwanawasa on Tuesday and he is expected to call for early elections.
    Rupiah Banda.gif
    The vice president has been looking after the affairs of the country since Mwanawasa suffered stroke in June before his death on Tuesday.
    The former foreign minister, who has a degree in economics, was appointed as Mwanawasa's deputy two years ago.

    A Reuters report quoted Attorney-General Mumba Malila Wednesday as saying Zambia's government would set out roles for the vice president and powers as the acting.

    The report further said under the Southern African country's constitution, an election must be called within 90 days of the presidential office becoming vacant. The presidential term is five years.

    Mwanawasa, who won the hearts of the donors with his prudent leadership qualities as well as stamping out corruption, led Zambia, Africa's biggest copper producer since 2001, winning re-election in 2006 after he took over from Fredrick Chiluba.

    Zambia's finance minister Ng'andu Magande said Tuesday that the country would not waste time with political issues but rather continue with its prudent microeconomic policies.

    Mwanawasa who was the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) chairman died at the age of 59 in a French military hospital on Tuesday after suffering a stroke in June.

    He suffered stroke whilst at an African Union (AU) summit in Egypt before he was later flown to France.

    Meanwhile South African president Thabo Mbeki and his entire country joined others in extending condolences to the Zambian people following the death of Mwanawasa.

    SA's Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the government and people of South Africa, and the entire SADC region were deeply saddened to learn of the untimely death of Mwanawasa.

    Mamoepa further said that Mwanawasa left a great foundation for the Zambian people, on which they can build and continue to prosper

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