Home » Africa, Politics » Zambia becomes first African country with a Caucasian President

Zambia becomes first African country with a Caucasian President

Posted by EU Times on Oct 30th, 2014 // 1 Comment

384081 Guy Scott

Zambian Vice President Guy Scott has been appointed as the country’s acting head of state, following the death of President Michael Sata.

Sata, who was long said to be seriously ill, died Tuesday while undergoing medical treatment for an undisclosed disease at London’s King Edward VII Hospital.

Scott was sworn in as Zambia’s acting president on Wednesday, making him the first Caucasian leader of an African country since FW de Klerk, the last head of state of South Africa during the apartheid era.

The 77-year-old economist will take up the interim role until Zambia goes for a presidential by-election, which according to the country’s Defence and Justice Minister Edgar Lungu is likely to be held within 90 days.

Scott, who was born to Scottish parents, is not eligible to run for the presidency because of foreign parentage rules in Zambia’s 1996 Constitution.

Political analysts say Lungu and Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda are the most likely contenders for the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) party.

Outside the PF, however, the former president, Rupiah Banda, has hinted at a possible return to politics.

“I am legally eligible to stand,” Banda was quoted as saying earlier this month, citing calls from his supporters to return to the political fray.

Sata was elected Zambia’s president following a tight presidential race against Banda in September 2011.

His successor will have to tackle unemployment, poverty and corruption, which are Zambia’s main challenges.

According to official reports, Zambia’s unemployment rate stands at a staggering 65 percent. An estimated 60 percent of Zambian people also reportedly live on less than a dollar a day.

Source

Please wait...

Did you like this information? Then please consider making a donation or subscribing to our Newsletter.

« Previous

Jupiter's 'one-eyed giant Cyclops' captured by Hubble

Leftists push for open borders in Switzerland despite majority opposition

One Response to " Zambia becomes first African country with a Caucasian President "

F-EW says:

03/11/2014 at 19:42

Zambia’s unemployment rate at 65 percent? Jesus! Has it really got that bad?

Please wait...

Reply

Conversation Guidelines

Starting a conversation on our website is very easy, all you need to do is to write your name, email and the comment itself. No account is required to leave a comment. Your email won't be used for any purpose whatsoever, if you want, you can even write a fictitious email. Please keep it civil, try to refrain from slurs and insults. We offer Free Speech rights to our comment section but please take note that the comment section is moderated so certain comments may be held for moderation in case they triggered our automatic filters. If your comment is on hold for moderation and you can't see it anywhere there is no need to repost it. Don't worry, it doesn't mean it won't get approved. Please patiently wait and check back later.