The Ethiopian Government has posthumously awarded Zambia’s First President Kenneth Kaunda with a Pan-Africanist recognition award.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who conferred the award on Dr. Kaunda and sixteen other former Heads of state, said the role played by Zambia’s founding father in the liberation struggle and fighting colonialism deserves special recognition.

Mr. Ahmed said Dr. Kaunda, who was an icon and also one of the pioneers of the formation of the African Union, can best be remembered be promoting peace in Africa.

He said Dr. Kaunda and others forged their legacies by upholding peace and security in Africa.

The Prime Minister said this during the first African Youth Leaders’ Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that attracted participants from 42 African Countries.

And receiving the award on behalf of the Kaunda family, Dr. Kaunda’s daughter Musata thanked the Ethiopian Government for recognizing her father for his contribution in fighting colonialism.

Ms. Kaunda said Dr. Kaunda would have been proud of the strides the African youths where making in ensuring that the continent continued to enjoy peace.

Other notable heads of State posthumously awarded are former South African President Nelson Mandela, former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe, former President of Tanzania Julius Nyerere, former President of Mozambique Samora Machel and former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie.

Source:Zambiareports