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Zambian President Micahel Sata goes for medical check-up | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Zambia's President Michael Sata has gone abroad for a medical check-up amid persistent speculation that he is seriously ill. | Zambia's President Michael Sata has gone abroad for a medical check-up amid persistent speculation that he is seriously ill. |
Mr Sata's office said the 77-year-old leader flew out on Sunday but it did not disclose his destination. | Mr Sata's office said the 77-year-old leader flew out on Sunday but it did not disclose his destination. |
Mr Sata made a rare public appearance last month to tell parliament: "I am not dead." | |
The BBC's Meluse Kapatamoyo says this is the first time the authorities have said he is seeking medical treatment. | |
Defence Minister Edgar Lungu has been named acting president. | |
Vice-President Guy Scott, who is of British descent, cannot fill in for the president as neither of his parents were born in Zambia, as the constitution requires. | |
Known as "King Cobra" for his venomous tongue, Mr Sata was elected Zambia's president in 2011. | Known as "King Cobra" for his venomous tongue, Mr Sata was elected Zambia's president in 2011. |
It is unclear whether he will return by Friday to preside over celebrations to mark 50 years of Zambia's independence. | It is unclear whether he will return by Friday to preside over celebrations to mark 50 years of Zambia's independence. |
Mr Sata has not been seen in public since returning from the UN General Assembly last month, where he failed to make a scheduled speech, the AFP news agency reports. | Mr Sata has not been seen in public since returning from the UN General Assembly last month, where he failed to make a scheduled speech, the AFP news agency reports. |