Zambia’s Scott, once Africa’s only white leader, dies at 82

Guy Scott, a prominent figure in Zambian politics and briefly Africa's only white head of state since the end of apartheid, has died at the age of 82. The government confirmed his passing on Wednesday, stating he died at his farm in the capital, Lusaka, following a short illness.

Scott, an economist born in Zambia to Scottish parents, held the position of vice president from 2011 to 2014. His most notable period in national leadership came in 2014 when he became acting president after the death of President Michael Sata. This made him the first white head of state on the continent since South Africa's F.W. de Klerk.

His tenure as acting president lasted for nearly three months. However, Scott was constitutionally barred from seeking election to the presidency due to his parents not being Zambian citizens by birth. He was succeeded by Edgar Lungu, who subsequently led Zambia from 2015 to 2021. The country is scheduled to hold its next general elections next month.