LUSAKA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The International University of Africa in Sudan will honor Zambia's first President Kenneth Kaunda this year for his contribution to the continent's liberation, a university official said Saturday.

Tagjadin Beihin Nia, the university's director for external affairs said over phone that the board of the senate of the university decided to honor Kaunda for his role in the liberation struggle and his recent fight against HIV/AIDS on the continent.

It was important for Africa to honor its leaders that have left an indelible mark on the continent while they are still alive, Nia said in a statement released by Zambia's embassy in Ethiopia.

Zambia's Ambassador to Ethiopia Susan Sikaneta, who is also ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Sudan, thanked the university over its decision to honor Kaunda in the phone call.

Kaunda served as the first president of Zambia from 1964 to 1991.