Zambian president leaves women's day celebration for "not feeling well"

Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Sunday excused himself from this year's International Women's Day celebration in Lusaka after "not feeling well," his spokesperson said.

The Zambian leader, who was at the National Heroes Stadium for the event, told hundreds of people who had thronged the stadium that he could not continue on the podium because he was not feeling well and asked to be excused.

"I am not feeling too well, but it is not something that should worry the nation... the proceedings should continue... I will see you tomorrow," the Zambian leader told the gathering whose proceedings were broadcast live on state television.

His spokesperson Amos Chanda later told the gathering that the Zambian leader left in order to seek emergency medical assistance.

The spokesperson said earlier tests had revealed traces of malaria and high levels of fatigue, adding that the Zambian leader had taken doctor's advice to rest.

This is the first time that a Zambian leader has come out in the open on his illness after the death of two sitting presidents.

In 2008, late President Levy Mwanawasa died after collapsing while attending an African Union (AU) Summit in Egypt while last October President Michael Sata died in London where he had gone for medical check-ups.

There have been calls that people aspiring for president of the southern African nation should undergo medical attention to ascertain their health to govern the nation. Endi