0n 30th October 2014, two days after the demise of President Michael Chilufya Sata, I wrote this famous piece- Emmanuel Mwamba

LUSAKA – Ten years ago, on October 30, 2014, Zambia was plunged into a period of profound national mourning and constitutional uncertainty following the death of its fifth President, Michael Chilufya Sata. It was against this backdrop that Emmanuel Mwamba, then a seasoned diplomat and political analyst, penned a seminal article titled "The Veep, The Scot and The Law," which he now reflects upon as a pivotal commentary on the nation's political trajectory. President Sata's demise on October 28, 2014, in London, left a vacuum that immediately triggered constitutional provisions regarding presidential succession. The focus of Mwamba's piece, as he recollects, was to dissect the legal and political implications surrounding the then Vice President, Dr. Guy Scott, who, by virtue of his parentage, faced constitutional impediments to assuming the full powers of the presidency. Dr. Scott, born to Scottish parents, was a Zambian citizen but the constitution at the time stipulated that presidential candidates must have parents who were Zambian by birth or descent, a clause that effectively barred him from contesting the presidency, let alone fully succeeding to it. Mwamba's article aimed to clarify the intricate legal framework governing such an unprecedented situation, highlighting the nuances of Article 38 of the Zambian Constitution, which dealt with the vacancy of the office of President. It sought to inform the public and guide political discourse during a period of intense speculation and potential instability. The piece underscored the delicate balance between constitutional adherence and political expediency, emphasizing the rule of law amidst national grief and the urgent need for a smooth transition of power. The political landscape of 2014 was fraught with tension as various factions within the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) party vied for influence in the succession race. Mwamba's commentary provided a crucial independent analysis, cutting through the political rhe