Zambia’s first president, Kenneth Kaunda dies aged 97

Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s first president and one of the last of the generation of African leaders who fought colonialism, has died aged 97.

Kaunda was admitted to a military hospital in the capital, Lusaka, on Monday suffering from pneumonia. His aides said he did not have Covid-19. Authorities in Zambia have declared 21 days of mourning for the liberation hero.

In the 1950s, Kaunda was a key figure in what was then Northern Rhodesia’s independence movement from Britain.

He became president following independence in 1964.

The late President Kenneth Kaunda enjoyed good relations with the Republic of Somaliland. He visited Somaliland capital city, Hargeisa in 1968 in the presence of President Egal. Following the announcement, Somalilanders have expressed their condolences to the people of Zambia on twitter and other social media platforms. May his soul rest in peace.