Guy Scott named interim Zambia president after death of Sata

Oct 29, 2014

Zambian Vice President Guy Scott has been named acting leader following the death of President Michael Sata, Defence and Justice minister Edgar Lungu said Wednesday.

Zambian Vice President Guy Scott has been named acting leader following the death of President Michael Sata, Defence and Justice minister Edgar Lungu said Wednesday.

 
"Dr Scott will act as president of the Republic of Zambia until the country goes for a presidential by election" said Lungu, announcing the appointment of Africa's first white leader since South Africa's FW de Klerk. 
 
Sata died in the British capital where he had been receiving treatment for a long-rumoured but undisclosed illness.
 
For supporters who voted him into office in 2011 he was a no-nonsense man of action. For critics, the former policeman, trade unionist and taxidermist was an authoritarian populist. 
 
What is undisputed is that he seemed to revel in scorched earth politics.
 
Detractors, political foes, the media and even allies frequently came under attack from a man who earned the sobriquet "King Cobra".
 
He once publicly upbraided his whole cabinet, threatening to collapse his own government if they did not do a better job.
 
The final period of Sata's rule saw a crackdown on political opponents and critical journalists who reported on his long-suspected illness and frequent "working trips" abroad, apparently for medical treatment. 

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