Zambia’s former president Rupiah Banda died on Friday at the age of 85 after a long battle with colon cancer, his son Andrew told AFP.
“He is gone”, Andrew Banda told an AFP correspondent in Lusaka.
The southern African country’s fourth leader since independence from Britain served for three years from 2008 — a term remembered for economic growth and corruption allegations.
Banda was vice-president when his predecessor Levy Mwanawasa unexpectedly succumbed to a stroke, propelling him into the top job.
But the veteran diplomat was defeated in the 2011 elections, despite overseeing major economic growth during his tenure.
Zambia’s economy expanded during Banda’s brief presidency, mainly on the back of rising copper prices and a surge in Chinese investment.
He pursued a construction spree started under Mwanawasa, building much-needed roads, hospitals and schools.
