Zambia president Mwanawasa says fit to rule despite stroke

LUSAKA – Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa yesterday declared himself fit to rule despite suffering a minor stroke.

Mwanawasa said he would return home on Friday after staying in a London hospital for nearly three weeks. “I am very well, although I am not fully recovered, and my illness will not affect my work,” Mwanawasa, 57, said in a broadcast on state radio yesterday.”I am determined to continue with my duties until we remove the yoke (of poverty) affecting Zambians,” Mwanawasa added.Mwanawasa’s illness had become the subject of controversy after an influential opposition leader Michael Sata wrote to the chief justice asking him to explain Mwanawasa’s condition.Chief Justice Ernest Sakala referred the matter to the cabinet, which has not commented yet.Mwanawasa told state radio he would be discharged from hospital yesterday but would remain in London as an outpatient until Friday.He gave no further details of his illness.A senior official of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) party said Mwanawasa was due to launch his re-election campaign for this year’s presidential polls when he returns from London, but it was not clear when he would do this.Mwanawasa, who is eligible for a second and final five year term, is expected to face a stiff challenge from an opposition alliance led by wealthy businessman Anderson Mazoka, whom he narrowly defeated in 2001.It was not immediately clear whether Mwanawasa’s health problems could affect his bid for re-election.Mwanawasa, one of the founders of the MMD, took office after December 2001 elections, succeeding Frederick Chiluba who stepped down at the end of his 10-year mandate.He has made an anti-corruption drive targeting Chiluba and his circle the hallmark of his first term, winning accolades from international donors but ruffling some feathers among powerful MMD members.Chiluba himself is recovering in South Africa where he was sent for medical care last month for kidney and liver problems.- Nampa-Reuters”I am very well, although I am not fully recovered, and my illness will not affect my work,” Mwanawasa, 57, said in a broadcast on state radio yesterday.”I am determined to continue with my duties until we remove the yoke (of poverty) affecting Zambians,” Mwanawasa added.Mwanawasa’s illness had become the subject of controversy after an influential opposition leader Michael Sata wrote to the chief justice asking him to explain Mwanawasa’s condition.Chief Justice Ernest Sakala referred the matter to the cabinet, which has not commented yet.Mwanawasa told state radio he would be discharged from hospital yesterday but would remain in London as an outpatient until Friday.He gave no further details of his illness.A senior official of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) party said Mwanawasa was due to launch his re-election campaign for this year’s presidential polls when he returns from London, but it was not clear when he would do this.Mwanawasa, who is eligible for a second and final five year term, is expected to face a stiff challenge from an opposition alliance led by wealthy businessman Anderson Mazoka, whom he narrowly defeated in 2001.It was not immediately clear whether Mwanawasa’s health problems could affect his bid for re-election.Mwanawasa, one of the founders of the MMD, took office after December 2001 elections, succeeding Frederick Chiluba who stepped down at the end of his 10-year mandate.He has made an anti-corruption drive targeting Chiluba and his circle the hallmark of his first term, winning accolades from international donors but ruffling some feathers among powerful MMD members.Chiluba himself is recovering in South Africa where he was sent for medical care last month for kidney and liver problems.- Nampa-Reuters