President Emmerson Mnangagwa Friday declared three days of national mourning in honour of the late Zambian nationalist and founding President Kenneth Kaunda.
In a statement, President Mnangagwa said the three days of national mourning commence today, Friday 18 June 2021 and flags will fly at half-mast throughout the country. The statement read:
Following the demise of our Region’s last surviving Elder Statesman, leader of the Frontline States in the struggle against Colonialism, and founding President of the Sister Republic of Zambia, Government of Zimbabwe has decided to declare three days of National Mourning in honour of the dear departed.
For the duration of these three days of mourning which start today, Friday, 18 June 2021, flags will fly at half-mast throughout the country.
Government further encourages all religious organisations to pray for the late President, and for Father Emmanuel Ribeiro who also passed on yesterday.
Earlier on Friday, Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, the MDC Alliance urged the Mnangagwa administration to declare a period of mourning in Kaunda’s honour.
READ MORE: MDC Alliance Mourns ‘Pan-African Leader’ Kenneth Kaunda
MDC Alliance Secretary for International Relations Gladys Kudzaishe Hlatywayo said in a statement:
In the true sense of our African philosophy of ubuntu and in recognition of the immense contribution of this great son of the soil to Zimbabwe’s independence, Zimbabwe must immediately declare a period of mourning.