Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia's charismatic first president and one of the giants in Africa's fight against colonialism, is dead at 97
His death was confirmed by Zambia's current President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, who said in a Facebook post Thursday:"I learnt of your passing this afternoon with great sadness."On behalf of the entire nation and on my own behalf I pray that the entire Kaunda family is comforted as we mourn our First President and true African icon," the President added.
Criticized for one-party ruleFollowing Zambia's independence in 1964, Kaunda emerged as the country's first president and kept his grip on power for 27 years under a one-party rule.Kaunda was widely criticized and accused of championing a dictatorship regime over his preference for a one-party system. He told CNN his decision to uphold a single-party arrangement was justified and not borne out of a dictatorship."...I have never been a dictator. It was a bargain with the people.
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