Levy Mwanawasa, Zambia’s president, dies in France
Via the BBC:
Zambia’s leader Levy Mwanawasa, 59, has died in a Paris hospital after suffering a stroke in June.
Vice-President Rupiah Banda, who is expected to take over as acting leader, made the announcement on state TV.
President Mwanawasa suffered a stroke at an African Union summit in Egypt and was then flown to France, where he had remained in hospital.
He came to prominence recently for being one of the African leaders most critical of the violence in Zimbabwe.
In a statement mailed today, Morgan Tsvangirai said:
I have, with great sadness learnt of the passing-on of a good friend and comrade, His Excellency Dr Levy Patric Mwanawasa SC. As an individual and as a party, we have always hoped and prayed for his speedy recovery. Sadly he has left us at this most trying time. Dr Levy Patric Mwanawasa SC was a champion of the democratisation of the SADC region in particular and the African continent in general, as such his passing-on is a sad day to the Zimbabwean people who at this stage are yearning for a new beginning which can unquestionably be characterised as democratic and a reflection of the will of the people.
At this most difficult time, on my behalf, on behalf of my party and the people of Zimbabwe, we send our most sincere condolences to the family of Dr Levy Patric Mwanawasa SC and the people of Zambia and we wish them God speed. May his soul rest in peace.
August 19th, 2008 16:25
This is a sad loss for Zambia and Africa. He will be greatly mourned. He has been a beacon of hope, and an example of statesmanship to his Region. RIP.
August 19th, 2008 18:02
What a sad loss, he so much would have loved to be part of a new beginning, and one of very few believing in democracy.
August 19th, 2008 18:15
May god guide Levy’s soul all the way to the rightful place it deserves. Zimbabwe has lost a brother, father and a true friend who stood by our side in our struggle for democracy.
We promise that what you started will definitely be fulfilled and SADC will one day be free from criminal political cabals.
May your soul rest in piece and may your family be healed at this critical moment.
August 19th, 2008 18:32
Brave struggle well fought. True son of Africa. Go well
August 19th, 2008 23:20
Mwanawasa, a true brother, cousin, father and leader of the starving people in Murewa, Binga, Chiweshe, Tjolotjolo, Bulalimmangwe, Chiredzi, Hurungwe, may your soul rest in peace. You were the first to identify a sinking ship. Unfortunately, you left us sinking and non of your partners in SADC except Khama realise your dream. I ask my Dear Lord - Why Mwanawasa my Lord? Oh God, you assigned Mwanawasa a task like Moses and now you have taken him before he has accomplished the task. Why my Dear Lord? I have all the faith in you and I know you my Dear Lord that you are with the people of Zambia during this time of grief. We Zimbabweans are standing with our brothers and sisters in Zambia mourning HE Mwanawasa. Lord forgive those who will come out shedding crocodile tears speechifying over the dearth of our hero Mwanawasa. They will write in books of condolences, speechifying how good he was, fly to the funeral leaving starving Zimbabweans whose lives Mwanawasa had at heart. Dear Lord, let it not be another time when those who opposed him ( I mean those tyrants) capitalise on his dearth. We have seen and known them shedding crocodile tears.
My Living God, please keep Mwanawasa safely and please give us and the Zambians another man like him who says it as it is.
Amen.