Zambia returns to white rule: Guy Scot acting president
Zambia reverted to white rule on Wednesday when vice president Guy Scott of Scottish descent were elevated to the top job after the demise of President Michael Sata on Tuesday.
Guy Scott and his wife Charlotte Harland-Scott
The Cambridge-educated economist Scott, 70, became the first white leader of an African country since FW de Klerk stepped down as president of South Africa in 1994 – and the first white head of a democratic government in Africa “since the Venetians”.
Scott, who will serve for 90 days until a new election is held, according to the constitution of Zambia.
He is quoted by UK’s Telegraph that his sudden promotion was “a bit of a shock to the system”, but added: “I’m very proud to be entrusted with it.”
“I am the acting president at the moment. It has just been passed by cabinet,” he said.
Sata, 77, died in London’s King Edward VII hospital on Tuesday night.
His death death comes just days after Zambia celebrated the 50th anniversary of independence from the UK.
He is the second Zambian leader to die in office after Levy Mwanawasa in 2008.
Until Sata’s death, the acting president of Zambia was Edga Lungu, the defence minister, but Scott said he had stepped into the position, in accordance with the constitution.
Scott’s parents were not born in Zambia, so he may fall foul of a constitutional clause on parentage which would nullify his candidacy in the presidential by-elections.
“I won’t run for the presidency at the election because constitutionally, I can’t,” he told The Telegraph
Lungu confirmed Scott will act as president “ until the country goes for a presidential by election”.
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I agree with most comments which are against the heading of this article. This heading disgust me , it is racist. It is high time we referred to Malawians, Zambians, Zimbabweans and South Africans of white colour as Africans because they are Africans too whether someone likes it or not. I wish Scot would be the president of Zambia for longer than 90 days.
Article 38 of the Zambian republican constitution states that if the office of the president becomes vacant,the vice president or,in the absence of the vice president or if the vice president is unable,by reason of Physical or Mental infirmity,to discharge the function of his office,a member of the cabinet elected by the cabinet shall perform the functions of the office of the President until a person elected as President in accordance with Article 34 assumes office«««««»»»PERIOD. Guy Scott will be with us in this Transition period of 90 days till the next By-Elections are held. He can not stand as… Read more »
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kutha mau kumeneko a nyasa times – whats the meaning of WHite rule – analys your subject or heading please
I WISHED HE HAD CONTINUED EVEN AFTER 90 DAYS BECAUSE AKUDA IFE TALEPHERANA. KOKERA KWANU NDI AMENE AVUTA. IMAGINE MULHAKHOISM ALL OVER THE PLACE. AM WORRIED WITH THE FOLLOWING PARASTATALS: IMMIGRATION, POLICE, MBC, MACRA, ESCOM, VICE CHANCELLOR IN ALL THESE COMPANIES I CAN SEE THE CEO’S BEING FIRED AND WILL BE REPLACED BY THEIR TRIBES.
HENCE AZUNGU ARE BETTER OFF AND CHITUKUKO SAKONDERA AYI. GUY SCOT WILL SEE ZAMBIA AS ONE NATION AS THEIR SLOGAN.
PLEASE LET GUY SCOT CONTINUE RULING WILL HELP YOUR COUNTRY TO MOVE FORWARD.
Welcome guy scort. Ur a president of Zambia till 90 days. Becareful some country leaders.
After 50 years, at lease in the coming 90 days he will be the only leader not to milk the public cash drawer for luxuries as most of our black leaders fancy. luxurious homes, etc. Zambia has the best option in him but unfortunately for only 90 days
Nysatimes sometimes be serious why can you not write a good heading, he is interim president and apart from the Zambia is different from your nyasaland where the president has a lot power, so the decisions made will be by cabinet not your stupid rabber stamp cabinet who are there to dance and praise for the leader of their party, not in Zambia Zambians are much far from your pathetic system of running affairs of the state. No wonder cash gate is not there so next time please bring in a good heading.
RIP Late Sata, you have done a good job in Zambia