AU to honour Kaunda

Times of Zambia reported yesterday.
The African regional body is scheduled to hold its 50th anniversary in May this year at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“I am happy to inform you that Dr Kaunda will be honoured this year here at the AU for his role he played in the liberation of southern Africa.

You know, Zambia sacrificed so much of its resources including manpower to liberate the southern African region,” Francis Simenda, Zambia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, said ahead of the 20th Ordinary Session of the Summit of AU which starts on Sunday.

The Zambian envoy said Kaunda, who will turn 89 on April 24 this year, was among the great African leaders who immensely contributed to the liberation struggles in most African countries, adding that it was surprising that even after the immense contribution he made, the former Zambian leader was barely noticed.

Kaunda ruled Zambia from 1964 when the country gained independence from Britain to 1991 when he was defeated in an election after the reintroduction of multiparty politics.

During his reign, he helped other countries get their liberation and Zambia hosted several freedom fighters from neighbouring countries.

After retiring from active politics, the former Zambian leader has been involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS through his Kenneth Kaunda Children of Africa Foundation. — Xinhua.