SOUTHERN Africa’s regional bloc praised Zambia on Tuesday for overseeing a peaceful transition of power after a veteran opposition politician won a landslide victory at the ballot box.
Hakainde Hichilema was declared winner on Monday after roundly defeating Edgar Lungu, who had been in power for six years.
It is the third time that power has changed hands to the opposition in Zambia since 1991, on a continent where incumbent leaders often hold on to power for decades.
“The pattern of peaceful transitions of power we have been seeing in our region in recent years, … (with) Zambia being the latest member to embody that, are worthy of global acclaim and our applause,” said Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, launching a summit of southern African leaders.
“To all the leaders and people of Zambia, we say thank you,” he said.
Chakwera, himself a former opposition politician, came to power last year
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