AFRICA/ZAMBIA - President Sata has died after a long illness

Lusaka (Agenzia Fides) - Zambian President Michael Sata died yesterday, 28 October, in London, where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness that had long prevented him from fulfilling presidential duties. The management of the President's illness had been criticized by the opposition and civil society, that blamed the government for exposing the Head of State to embarrassing public meetings (see Fides 13/10/2014). On September 19, during his speech to the Parliament of Zambia, Sata had appeared tired, and was forced to limit his speech. He missed a scheduled speech at the UN General Assembly in September, while rumors about his admission to a hospital in New York had spread. Defense Minister Edgar Lungu is acting as President, pending the election of a new Head of State. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 29/10/2014)