Zambian President Edgar Lungu was forced to cut short his presence and return to the State House after he collapsed during a national defence day celebrations in the capital Lusaka on Sunday, local media reported.
In a statement issued later, government said the president experienced “dizziness” resulting into his collapse.
Shortly after, Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr Simon Miti, issued a statement to reporters and the State TV, assuring the local public and the international community that President Lungu “is well and has continued to discharge his duties”.
“The President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, this afternoon experienced sudden dizziness whilst officiating at the 45th Defence Force Day Commemoration and Investiture Ceremony. His Excellency recovered immediately and walked to the official car and returned to his residence at State House,” said Dr Miti.
“The President wishes to assure the general public and all concerned citizens and the international community that he is well and has continued to discharge his duties as Head of State, Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force.”
Mr Lungu aged 64 years is said to have walked on his own to his car and returned to State House.
The Zambian leader had a similar experience in 2015 when he collapsed while giving a speech to commemorate International Women’s Day in the capital. The presidency said the incident was due to an “esophagus condition”.
Mr Lungu was elected in a 2015 by-election necessitated by Michael Sata’s death in 2014. During the campaign, Mr Lungu’s allies denied reports he was sick and he offered to undergo a medical check-up.
Zambia is currently preparing for a general election set for August 12.
Following Sata’s death in October 2014, Lungu was adopted as the candidate of the ruling Patriotic Front in a Convention of the Patriotic Front in Kabwe, for the January 2015 presidential by-election, which was to determine who would serve out the remainder of Sata’s term. In the election, he narrowly defeated opposition candidate Hakainde Hichilema and took office on January 25, 2015.