President Edgar Lungu Collapses on Live Television

President Edgar Lungu
President Edgar Lungu Collapses on Live Television

Edgar Lungu, the President of Zambia, assumed office in 2015. However, his success in the election met extreme dispute from the opposition. Despite the waves, President Edgar Lungu maintained his position as the Head of State in Zambia.

What Happened to Edgar Lungu?

Zambian President Edgar Lungu passed out at the country’s televised annual National Defence Forces Day celebration on Sunday. The ceremony got interrupted following the dreadful moment. Edgar Lungu, who is over 60 years old, suffers from a rare condition known as Achalasia. The disease or condition affects mostly the esophagus and there are hypoglycemic attacks, too.

His collapse on Sunday was not the first time Edgar Lungu experienced a dangerous situation with his condition. In 2015, he had fallen ill and got hospitalized.

More about Achalasia

A rare condition that makes food and liquids difficult to flow through the stomach. Damage to nerves in the food tube causes Achalasia, which prevents the food tube from squeezing food into the stomach. An aberrant immune system reaction could be at blame. Reflux of food into the throat (regurgitation), chest pain, and weight loss are all symptoms. Doctors usually treat Achalasia with endoscopic (minimally invasive) treatments or surgery.

What’s Next for the Head of State?

Fortunately, Edgar Lungu recovered from his disease and currently, he is performing his duties very well. This is per the official statement that the presidency issued.

Zambia’s 2021 Elections

The Southern African landlocked state of over 15 million people prepares its elections ahead of 12th August. Despite Edgar Lungu’s condition, he has decided not to give up. He is running for re-election in August. However, his bid for partaking presidency again is extremely controversial. Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND), the key opposition figure, will be his opponent once more.

The current state of Zambia Ahead of its Polls

The tiny, landlocked country in southern Africa, with a large population of about 18 million people, is in serious financial problems and has declared a default. According to estimates, its external debt is worth 10 billion euros, with private creditors holding fifty percent. The debt crisis, as well as the country’s economic struggles, will dominate the 2018 elections.

Debt not only affects Zambia but most African countries. Recently, Kenya read its budget and its debt levels were worrying.

To say, Kenya is facing two pandemics, are Covid-19 and debt. The African continent needs to resolve the issue with debts since it’s one of the reasons making the region grow slowly. Debts make the lives of people harder. This is because as a country borrows more expensive loans for consumption or development, the effect will flow towards taxes, increasing the taxes so that a country can service its loan. Just at the beginning of this year, the African Diaspora created a way of how African states can finish their loans. They came up with the idea of the Lumi currency.

As Zambians are heading for elections, they should be vigilant and wise in electing a leader who will not only lead but also transform the state.

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