Zambian president dies

Levy Mwanawasa - 1948-2008

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has died at a Paris hospital following a series of strokes. The leader had been making “steady progress” according to Zambia's Vice-President Rupiah Banda, but on Sunday night he required emergency surgery. His situation rapidly deteriorated. President Mwanawasa, 59, suffered a mild stroke at an African Union summit in Egypt, late in June and in July, Zambia's opposition called for an investigation into whether the president was fit to lead the country. He was later flown to France following his stroke, where he has remained in hospital. During his political career he attempted to mediate between the outside world and Zimbabwe during the political crisis there. He was one of the first African leaders to speak out against the Mugabe regime. For his own country he has been criticized for failing to tackle widespread poverty. However he has brought in much foreign investment from China, Canada, the US and Britain which has brought much needed employment [CNN].