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Article: Leader broke ranks to accuse Mugabe.
- Article from:
- New Zealand Herald (Auckland, New Zealand)
- Article date:
- August 23, 2008
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Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 2008 Independent News & Media PLC. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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LUSAKA: Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa, who broke the African tradition of silence and solidarity among leaders to denounce neighbouring Zimbabwe's economic ruin, has died aged 59 after a stroke.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy called Mwanawasa's death "a great loss for the African continent" and for democracy.
Mwanawasa's illness precipitated power struggles within and between Zambia's political parties and his death leaves a power vacuum.
He did not groom a successor, and vice president Rupiah Banda was expected to continue as acting President until an election that must be held within 90 days.
Widely regarded as a man of integrity, he won praise for ...