Zambian President Mwanawasa Dies

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa died in a French hospital Tuesday, Vice-President Rupiah Banda announced on Zambia’s state television. Mwanawasa has been under treatment in Paris, France, for nearly two months since he suffered a stroke while attending an African Union summit in Egypt on June 29. Under the Zambian constitution, Banda automatically becomes Acting President, but a fresh presidential election must be held within 90 days. Mwanawasa is remembered for his sustained anti-corruption campaign and for being one of the few African leaders to openly criticize Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s management of his country’s politics and economy. He was 59. [PE]