Ailing Zambian President Michael Sata has not been seen in public for more than two months, prompting a behind-the-scenes power struggle to succeed him.
Publicly at least, the government of this copper-rich nation maintains that 77-year-old Sata – once nicknamed “King Cobra” – is in sound health and is discharging his duties as normal.
But inside Lusaka’s State House and the headquarters of his ruling Patriotic Front (PF), such is the worry about Sata’s health that jockeying for position has already begun, according to analysts.
“There is a power struggle because those that are close to him know that he is not strong enough to live much longer, and they have advanced their preparations for elections,” political scientist Neo Simutanyi told AFP.
Sata has not been seen in public since June 19, when state television showed him meeting visiting Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao.
Since then he has been conspicuous by his absence from a top-level US-Africa summit in Washington, a meeting of southern African leaders just across the border in Zimbabwe and even the opening of a bridge named after him.
If the president dies in office or steps down for health reasons, the cabinet will name an acting president.
Vice-President Guy Scott, who is of Scottish descent, is not eligible to take over as his parents were not born in Zambia.
The next national election is not due until 2016, but in the event of Sata’s death a presidential vote would have to be held within 90 days.
NMG
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