Newly elected Zambian president Hakainde Hichilema twas swon into office on 23rd August at Heroes Stadium before a crowd of current and former African leaders, along with opposition politicians from countries in the region.
With the transfer of power, Zambia is the second country in southern Africa in recent years, after Malawi in 2020, to transfer its presidency to an opposition candidate.
Hichilema defeated Edgar Lungiu by almost one million votes on 12 August in his sixth bid for the presidency riding on a promise of economic transformation and democratic reforms. “It is indeed a new day. Change is here,” said Hichilema on Monday. “Let’s put the past behind us. We are not going into office to arrest those who arrested us … to replace those that have been very violent against our people only to start a new wave of violence.”
Also in attendance was Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Tanzania’s new President Samia Suluhu amongs others.
