AS ZAMBIA MOURNS!

President Levy Mwanawasa who died at Percy Military Hospital, Paris, France from complications of a stroke he suffered on June 29th, 2008 while attending the 11th Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit in Egypt. Levy Mwanawasa was 59 years old.

Levy prior to this fatal stroke, suffered a minor stroke in April 2006, four months before he won a reelection, which term he was serving as president before his death. Also as a vice-president in the 1990s he was also involved in a near-fatal road accident.

President Levy Mwanawasa was described variously as a champion of democracy whose death was a great loss for the African continent and a great leader loved by his people because he did great things.

Levy Mwanawasa was born in Mufulira, Zambia, on 3 September 1948, second child in a family of 10. He was married and had six children. He was a practising lawyer since 1973 until 1982 when he was appointed by former president, Kenneth Kaunda, as the Solicitor General of Zambia. That same year he was appointed vice president of Zambia by then President Frederick Chiluba; a position which he resigned in 1994 in protest of gross abuse of office and corruption by some government officials. In December 2001 after his predecessor retired from power in what became the country's fourth multi-party elections since independence from Britain in 1964, Levy Mwanawasa was elected first term President of Zambia. Mwanawasa declared a zero tolerance on corruption and insisted on cautious expenditure of public resources. But his critics accused him of persecuting his political rivals under the guise of fighting corruption.

To the family of Levy Mwanawasa and his people of Zambia, Icheoku says may you treasure his memory through the legacy he left behind. To die is to live in the heart of those who loves you! Adieu President Levy Mwanawasa, rest in peace.

Obituary: Levy Mwanawasa
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