Rupiah Banda, Zambia's fourth democratically elected president, died yesterday Friday in the capital Lusaka after battling colon cancer for two years. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2020 and had been hospitalised in Dubai for treatments. His health had deteriorated severely in recent months.
His son, Andrew, announced in a simple statement that his 85-year-old father had passed away.
Banda ruled Zambia from 2008 to 2011 and was in tears when he handed over power to Michael Sata. He played a key role last August in the smooth transition of power after incumbent President Hakaide Hichilema won the election. It was his last major contribution to his country's political life.
Following Banda's death, Edgar Lungu (whom Hichilema succeeded as president of the country) is the only former Zambian president still alive today.
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