Death and state funeral of Michael Sata

Michael Sata, the President of Zambia, died on 28 October 2014 in London, United Kingdom at the age of 77, after suffered from an undisclosed severe illness few months earlier.[1] The state funeral took place on November 11 with the funeral being attended by 9 heads of state, 9 foreign representatives, 2 heads of multilateral organizations and 2 former African political leaders.

State funeral of Michael Sata
Michael Sata in 2013, a year before his death
Date11 November 2014
LocationLusaka, Zambia
ParticipantsGuy Scott
Edgar Lungu

Background edit

On 19 October 2014, Sata left the country for a medical check-up in the United Kingdom, leaving Defence Minister Edgar Lungu in charge in his absence.[2][3] Sata's absence from public view, given that the 50th anniversary of the country's independence was 4 days away, rumours emerged on the status of Sata's health. He died in London on 28 October at King Edward VII Hospital alongside his wife, Christine, son, Mulenga, and other family members.[4][5] Vice-President Guy Scott was named acting leader until an election, making him the first democratically elected white leader of a Sub-Saharan African government since F. W. de Klerk in South Africa.

Dignitaries edit

Country Title Dignitary
  Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta[6]
  Madagascar President Hery Rajaonarimampianina[7]
  Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima[7]
  Mozambique President Armando Guebuza[7]
  Namibia President Hifikepunye Pohamba
  South Africa Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa[7]
  Swaziland Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini[7]
  Tanzania Vice President Mohamed Gharib Bilal[8]
  Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe[7]

Government representatives edit

Country Title Dignitary
  Angola Speaker Fernando dos Santos[9]
  China Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Chen Zhenggao[10]
  Ethiopia Speaker Abadula Gemeda[9]
  Ghana Minister of Central Region Aquinas Tawiah Quansah[11]
  Sahrawi Republic Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Salem Ould Salek[12]
  South Africa First Lady Bongekile Zuma[9]
  Tanzania Speaker Anne Makinda[13]
  United Kingdom Countess of Wessex Sophie[7]
  Zimbabwe First Lady Grace Mugabe[7]

Heads of multilateral organizations edit

Organisation Title Dignitary
African Union Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma[9]
  Southern African Development Community Executive Secretary Stergomena Tax[7]

Former leaders edit

Country Title Dignitary
  Botswana 3rd President Festus Mogae[14]
  Nigeria Head of State Yakubu Gowon[7]

See also edit

  • Embassy Park

References edit

  1. ^ "Zambian President Michael Sata dies in London", BBC News – Africa, 29 October 2014.
  2. ^ "Zambian President Michael Sata goes for medical check-up", BBC News, 20 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Party rivalries grow as Sata ails", Africa Confidential, volume 55, number 21, 24 October 2014.
  4. ^ Clement Malambo (29 October 2014). "President Michael Sata Has Died". Zambia Reports.
  5. ^ "Zambian President Michael Sata dies in London", BBC News – Africa, 29 October 2014.
  6. ^ "President Kenyatta travels to Zambia for Sata's burial". Daily Nation. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Foreign Dignitaries visit State House in Pictures". Lusaka Times. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  8. ^ "VP Dr Bilal represents Tanzania at the state funeral of President Sata". Michuzi Blog. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  9. ^ a b c d "Foreign dignitaries arrive". Daily Mail. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  10. ^ "Chinese president's envoy to attend Zambian president's funeral". globalpost.com. 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  11. ^ "Foreign dignitaries view Sata's body". Lusaka Voice. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  12. ^ "MFA in Lusaka to represent President of Republic at funeral of former Zambian president". Sahara Press Service. 11 November 2014. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  13. ^ "Makinda to lead Sadc House team to Sata burial". Daily News. 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  14. ^ "Former president to represent Botswana at Sata's funeral". starafrica.com. 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.

External links edit