President Michael Sata Has Died – AP

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FILE- In this Sept. 24, 2013 file photo, Michael Chilufya Sata, President of Zambia, speaks during the general debate of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters.
FILE- In this Sept. 24, 2013 file photo, Michael Chilufya Sata, President of Zambia, speaks during the general debate of the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters.

JOHANNESBURG—Zambia’s populist President Michael Sata has died in a London hospital, the country’s finance minister said on Wednesday, raising questions about who will take charge of the copper-rich southern African country.

Zambia’s Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda said Mr. Sata died Tuesday evening at a hospital in London where he had been receiving treatment for ailments his office hadn’t fully described. The 77-year old president, who was elected in 2011, didn’t appear in public for months this year, fueling suspicions he was gravely ill.

Mr. Chikwanda, who was huddling Wednesday morning with other cabinet ministers in Zambia’s capital, wouldn’t say whether Mr. Sata will be succeeded by his Vice President Guy Scott. A person who answered Mr. Scott’s mobile phone declined to make him available.

Mr. Sata’s declining health has sparked a succession battle within the ruling Patriotic Front party, threatening to unsettle one of Africa’s most stable nations.

In July Mr. Sata made a visit to Israel which government officials later said may have included some medical treatment. He appeared briefly in public last month but missed his scheduled speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Mr. Sata suffered a heart attack in 2008 but recovered following treatment in South Africa.

Mining companies including Glencore PLC, Vedanta Resources PLC, First Quantum Minerals and China Nonferrous Metals Co have invested billions of dollars in the Zambian mining industry in recent years, helping to turn around the once ailing sector.

Write to Patrick McGroarty at [email protected] and Nicholas Bariyo at[email protected]

 

WALL STREET JOURNAL

Zambian Government Says President Michael Sata Has Died After an Illness

JOHANNESBURG — Oct 29, 2014, 3:02 AM ET

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100 COMMENTS

  6. so sad losing the seating president. May the soul of Michael Chilufya Sata rest in peace

  7. His excellence,man of action, our father we ll live to remember u for the great work you have done for us.Zambia would have been pearl of greater development under your government.always love you MCS.

  14. Our be loved father what happened imwe shuwa aweh may u mak samething in heaven as it wz in the world may yo soul rest in peace

  18. my deapest condorances 2 the family may the soul of our president rest in entenal peace

  20. it really hates to loose such a wonderful president my GOD i pray that his soul may R.I.P nd continue blessing our lovely country.

  24. Too bad for Zambia and all of us in the Region. 2nd time this is happening. But is it really true he has died?

  28. Whatever our differences,our political affiliations,religious back ground,Mother Zambia lets come together as one & MOURN our father,brother,grandfather, & most importantly our PRESIDENT in Peace.May His Soul Rest In Peace.

  79. awe he wasn’t ready to die pipo he has gone too soon fairwell my father untill we meet again to da otherside

    • Rest in peace our beloved president may his soul rest in internal peace not forgeting the 25 who who died when the capsized.

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