Statement by the Commonwealth Secretary-General on the passing of former President of Zambia Dr Kenneth Kaunda

Commonwealth Secretary-General The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC has expressed sympathy and a sense of loss at the passing of Zambia’s founding President, HE Dr Kenneth Kaunda.

She said: "I have learned with great sadness news of the death of President Kaunda, who passed on earlier today. On behalf of the Commonwealth family, I extend heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Zambia. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and particularly with the family of President Kaunda at this time of grieving and profound loss."

The Secretary-General said that President Kaunda was a great African statesman and Commonwealth leader whose legacy of fostering unity, equality, peace, and human dignity will endure.

She added: "His contribution towards building the modern Commonwealth is one of his enduring legacies. President Kaunda hosted the 1979 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which saw the adoption of the Lusaka Declaration of the Commonwealth on Racism and Racial Prejudice, which was a reaffirmation of the Commonwealth commitment to fighting inequality and racial prejudice."

The Secretary-General gave her assurance of the Commonwealth’s solidarity with the people of Zambia during this difficult period.