It is with great sadness and shock that I heard of the death of one of Africa's true democratic sons and visionaries today. My condolences go out to the family of Levy Mwanawasa and the people of Zambia. President Mwanawasa was one of very few true leaders in our region who was principled enough and brave and who had the integrity and the courage to say when something was eminently and patently wrong with the political affairs in our region.

We could rely on him to be the moral and political compass of our struggling region. Where others wavered, Mwanawasa spoke out against the violence, the betrayal, the broken promises of the will of the people!

Where others kept quiet and tacitly approved the brazen arrogance of the yesterday's Presidents he showed us the way in his own country, Zambia.

Where others heard no evil, saw no evil, and spoke no evil he confronted it head-on!

Mr President: You will be sadly missed! To the people of Zambia I say: You have lost a great Son - may others follow in this footsteps! And may others be inspired by his courage and wisdom.

Hama Khale Mr. President!

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"Nothing is complete and thus nothing is exempt from criticism." - James Luther Adams: