Acting Zambian leader fires presidential contender

Acting Zambian leader Guy Scott has dismissed a presidential front-runner as secretary-general of the ruling party pointing to a fiercely contested election in the next three months to succeed the late leader Michael Sata.

Mr. Scott has not given any reason for the surprise removal of defense minister Edgar Lungu from his top post in late President Sata's Patriotic Front Party, which came to power after elections in 2011.

When Mr. Sata died in a London hospital last week at the age of 77, Vice President Scott became Africa's first white leader in 20 years.

However, he is constitutionally barred from running for President because his parents were born in Scotland.

Mr. Lungu, who is also the Minister of Justice, had often stepped into Mr. Sata's shoes as 'acting president' in the last year.

Reports say many Zambians considered him the person most likely to win the presidential elections that are due by the end of January.

Source: News 24