4 September 2008
Lusaka — A target of Levy Mwanawasa's outspoken criticism, Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe praised the late Zambian president at his funeral yesterday as a courageous African leader.
Mugabe, who was vilified by Mwanawasa for the near collapse of Zimbabwe, joined regional leaders, including President Thabo Mbeki and another critic, Botswana's President Ian Khama, for Mwanawasa's funeral in Lusaka. The presidents of Namibia, Mozambique and Malawi also attended, joining thousands of Zambian at the Lusaka funeral.
Mwanawasa and Khama have been the most outspoken critics in the Southern African Development Community of economic and political turmoil in Zimbabwe.
Zambian state radio quoted Mugabe as saying: "Mwanawasa was a very courageous leader. He was very frank and wanted to change not only his country but the entire southern African region. We will greatly miss him."
Mbeki said Mwanawasa's death was a loss to Africa.
Mwanawasa died in a French military hospital last month after suffering a stroke in June. He had led Zambia since 2001, and was
re-elected in 2006. His tough stance against corruption and campaign in 2004 against former president Frederick Chiluba endeared him to donor countries, and his policies won the country billions of dollars in debt relief.
His economic management helped produce strong growth averaging 5% annually over the past six years, though many Zambians still live in poverty. He successfully courted China, securing unprecedented investment by Beijing in the country's copper industry. The policy, however, has not been without trouble.
More than a dozen candidates are jostling to become the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy's election candidate in November. Vice-President Rupiah Banda is acting president and a contender, but is no party insider.
Zambia, Africa's biggest copper producer, now faces political and economic uncertainty. Rifts are widening in the ruling party, which narrowly beat the opposition at the last election, raising questions on policies appreciated by donors and investors.
Finance Minister Ng'andu Magande is a leading candidate. He has been praised for his economic policies, but analysts say he does not have enough grassroots support.
With Reuters
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