African leaders head to Zambia for Hichilema’s inauguration

LUSAKA, Zambia

A number of African leaders are expected in Zambia for Monday’s inauguration of president-elect Hakainde Hichilema.

Zambia’s president-elect Hakainde Hichilema waves at his supporters after casting a vote at a polling station in Lusaka, Zambia, Aug. 12, 2021.

The 59-year-old was declared by the Electoral Commission of Zambia winner of the presidential election held on August 12, beating incumbent President Edgar Lungu.

Hichilema managed to pass the 50 percent-plus-one requirement for a presidential winner with 2,810,757 of the votes while Lungu got 1,814,201.

Some of the leaders that are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony include Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera and Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Hichilema, who had lost five past elections, will be faced with the task of resuscitating Zambia’s economy, a major pledge during his campaigns.

14 other candidate contested in the presidential election which attracted a voted turnout of about 70 percent of the registered voters.

Hichilema has already received congratulatory messages from other African leaders, including Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, Tanzania President Samia Hassan and Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari.