This book focuses on sudden deaths of African leaders. In doing so, it addresses aspects such as resulting political tensions, issues with regards to law, the constitution, and presidential succession, following a sudden death. It further sheds light on the role of media in constructing and disseminating narratives in the event of sudden deaths of political leaders in Africa. The book brings together established and emerging scholars from ten African countries namely: Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Chad, Nigeria, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique.

Authors have applied multiple methodological approaches using data collected from media discourses, documentaries, archival information which makes the book a valuable source of literature for future students, scholars, researchers, and policy makers. Generally, the book will be of an interest across the interdisciplinary fields including linguistics; journalism; political studies; psychology; communication; history, law, sociology, security studies, international relations. and culture.

Wellman Kondowe is a senior lecturer in Applied Linguistics at Mzuzu University, Malawi. He holds a PhD from Central China Normal University. He has published journal articles and book chapters with Wiley, Routledge, DeGruyter, Palgrave. He has four books: Multilingualism in Southern Africa (Routledge, 2024); Discrimination and Access to justice in Africa (Routledge, 2025); Forensic Linguistics in Southern Africa (Cambridge University Press, 2025). The current book is his fourth book publication.

Mwayi Lusaka holds a PhD in History from the University of the Western Cape in South Africa. He lectures History and Heritage Studies at Mzuzu University. Currently he is a Research Fellow with University of South Africa-Department of History. He is CODESRIA laureate under Meaning Making Research Initiative 2025.