Zambia: President Lungu takes oath of office

By Francis Maingaila

LUSAKA, Zambia

President Edgar Lungu has taken oath of office for a five-year term on Tuesday.

He defeated main rival Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND), in a disputed Aug. 11 election marred by allegations of fraud and election results falsification. Lungu was sworn in along with his vice president Inonge Wina.

The opposition, namely Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND, disputed the results before the Constitutional Court.

In a heavily guarded National Heroes Stadium in Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, local and foreign dignitaries, including the government, and tens of thousands of people witnessed the inauguration as Lungu pledged to unite and defend a country. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Ian Kharma of Botswana also attended the function.

Hichilema abstained himself from the inauguration ceremony after his failed attempt to overturn the election as his appeal was dismissed by the Constitutional Court.