Malawi has declared seven (7) days of national mourning in honour of Zambia’s founding president Kenneth Kaunda who died on Thursday, aged 97.
In a statement on Friday, Malawi’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the country’s president, Lazarus Chakwera directed that flags fly at half-mast during these days.
Chakwera is expected to attend Kaunda’s funeral once the details of the funeral and burial programme are announced. The statement read:
The Government of the Republic of Malawi has received with deep regret the sad news of the death of His Excellency Dr Kenneth David Kaunda, former President of the Republic of Zambia.
The Government and the people of the Republic of Malawi join the immediate family of Dr Kenneth Kaunda, the Government and the people of the Republic of Zambia in mourning the passing of a great Statesman and Son of Africa.
Former President Kaunda will be remembered as one of the brave sons of Africa and founding Father of the Southern African Frontline States who diligently fought for the sovereignty of the African countries in general, and Zambia in particular.
His Excellency Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi has since declared seven (7) days of national mourning and has further directed that flags fly at half-mast during these days.
His Excellency the President will attend the funeral of the late Dr Kenneth David Kaunda in Lusaka Zambia once the details of the funeral and burial programme are announced.