South Sudan’s Kiir declares 3-day mourning over death of ex-Zambian president

JUBA – South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has joined the rest of the world in mourning the death of Zambian former President, Kenneth Kaunda, declaring three days of mourning across the country.

Former President Kaunda died on 17th June from pneumonia in a military hospital in the capital, Lusaka, where he was admitted.

“On behalf of the people of South Sudan and the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, I offer my heartfelt condolences to Your Excellency and the people of Zambia,” Kiir said, in a message of consolation communicated to the media by the Minister of Presidential Affairs Hon. Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin.

“In honor to the Late Former President of Zambia Kenneth Kaunda, President Salva Kiir Mayardit has declared three days of mourning across South Sudan and instructs all the Government institutions and South Sudan’s diplomatic missions to fly flags Half-mast during this period beginning from today Tuesday 22nd June 2021,” Marial said.

“The people of South Sudan are deeply saddened and grieving with their brothers and sisters in Zambia and the entire continent for the immense loss, adding that the people of South Sudan stand in solidarity with the Government and people of Zambia,”

Benjamin described late Kaunda was a true Pan Africanist who steadfastly supported the liberation of Africa from the scourge of colonialism.

“Zambian former President Kenneth Kaunda gave a lot of support to the people of South Sudan during the liberation struggle and contributed tirelessly on the achievements of South Sudan’s independence,” he said.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit prays to the almighty God to give strength and comfort to the people of Zambia and the family of the Late to withstand this immense loss,” he added.

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.

As head of the left-leaning United National Independence Party (UNIP), Kaunda then led the country through decades of one-party rule.

He stepped down after losing multi-party elections in 1991.