LUSAKA, Zambia
Zambia's holding of general elections on August 12, 2021, and the peaceful transition of power by the incumbent president maintained Zambia as one of the few countries on the continent to see peaceful transitions.
President Hakainde Hichilema inspects the guard of honor during the inauguration ceremony at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka |
The southern African nation has established a
reputation as one of Africa's stable democratic nations with regular elections
followed by peaceful transfers of power since the country's founding leader,
the late Kenneth Kaunda, introduced multiparty democracy in 1991.
Zambia has so far stood out in peaceful
transition on the African continent, known for disputed elections and failure
by incumbents to hand over power.
In the polls, former President Edgar Lungu lost
power to main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema. Lungu polled 1.8 million
votes against Hichilema's 2.8 million during the elections which saw 16
presidential candidates participating.
Lungu peacefully conceded defeat and handed
over power to his successor in the election that was marred by violence during
the campaigns.
Lungu, who becomes the third president to
peacefully hand over power after Kaunda who peacefully handed power after
losing the 1991 elections and President Rupiah Banda after losing the 2011
polls, has gone into the annals as one of Africa's statesmen.
In his remarks after conceding defeat, Lungu
said the desire to see a peaceful nation should override personal ambitions.
"I want to thank you the Zambian people for
giving me the opportunity to be your president. I will forever cherish and
appreciate the authority you invested in me," he said.
Lungu has since stepped aside from active
politics in line with the country's constitution.
Political observers have lauded the peaceful
transition of power in Zambia and believe that other African countries need to
emulate the gesture.
"There is no doubt that Zambia's democracy
has been maturing and this peaceful transition to power just goes to show the
direction the democracy is going," Stewart Daka, a political commentator,
told Xinhua.
Both the African Union (AU) and the Southern
African Development Community (SADC) paid tribute to Zambia on the peaceful
transition.
Felix Tshisekedi, the AU Chairperson and
President of DRC, said it was gratifying that Zambia has maintained the legacy
of holding peaceful polls and smooth transition of power, saying it is a model
that should be emulated.
On the other hand, the President of Malawi and
SADC Chairperson Lazarus Chakwera said Zambia has written a story that
shows the world that Africa can solve its own problems and does not need to be
nursed by anyone.
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