FACTBOX: Levy Mwanawasa

2008-08-19 15:14

Lusaka - Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa died in a French hospital on Tuesday after having a stroke in June, Vice-President Rupiah Banda said.

Here are some facts about Mwanawasa:

Mwanawasa was a favourite of the International Monetary Fund and other Western donors who extended billions of dollars in debt relief in the wake of his crackdown on government spending and launch of a massive anti-graft drive.

He was one of the region's strongest critics of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe, saying Zimbabwean elections would bring embarrassment to Africa.

Born on September 3 1948, Mwanawasa built his reputation as a lawyer for the former opposition, cultivating an earthy image in the process.

He became vice president in 1991 after Frederick Chiluba ousted founding President Kenneth Kaunda in landmark multiparty elections.

He stunned observers soon after winning the presidency in late 2001 by turning on Chiluba and then won vocal Western support for launching the biggest anti-corruption drive since Zambia won independence from Britain in 1964.

He narrowly defeated opposition leader Michael Sata in a presidential election in 2006.

Despite the debt relief package and major investments from China and India, Mwanawasa battled a growing public perception that his strong fiscal record had done little to benefit most of the 11.5 million people in the copper-rich nation.

Mwanawasa had a minor stroke in April 2006 that prompted him to seek treatment in Britain, but in June 2006 he declared himself fit for office. He had another stroke at the African Union summit in Egypt last June.

- Reuters