The 77-year-old President was receiving treatment in a London hospital.

Zambians are mourning the death of their President, 77-year-old Michael Sata, who died in a London hospital on Tuesday, October 28, 2014, where he had been receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness, Al Jazeera TV, quoted the government as announcing.

Roland Msiska, Secretary to the Zambian cabinet, said in a statement yesterday, October 29, 2014, that Sata died late on Tuesday in London, where he was being treated. "As you are aware, the President was receiving medical attention in London," Al Jazeera cited Msiska as having told state television. "The Head of State passed on on October 28. President Sata's demise is deeply regretted. The nation will be kept informed of burial arrangements," he further said. Msiska said Sata's wife, Christine Kaseba, and other family members, were with the President when he died.

Michael Sata left Zambia for medical treatment on October 19, 2014, accompanied by his wife and family members, according to a brief government statement that gave no further details. There had been no official update on his condition. Acting President Edgar Lungu had to lead celebrations last week to mark the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence from Britain. Supporters who voted Michael Sata in 2011 see in him a no-nonsense man of action, but critics say he was an authoritarian populist.

Concern over Sata's health has been mounting in the country since June when he disappeared from the public eye without explanation and was then reported to be getting medical treatment in Israel. In September 2014, he attended the opening plenary sitting of Parliament in Lusaka. Responding to worries about his health, he reportedly declared, “I am not dead!" However, he is said to have missed a scheduled speech at the UN General Assembly the same month.