The Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional bloc praised Zambia on Tuesday for overseeing a peaceful transition of power. This was after a veteran opposition politician won a landslide victory at the ballot box.

Zambia’s Electoral Commission declared Hakainde Hichilema winner on Monday after roundly defeating Edgar Lungu. Hichilema garnered 2,810,777 votes against incumbent Edgar Lungu’s 1,814,201.

Meanwhile, the defeat marks an end to Edgar Lungu who had been in power for six years. This further consolidates Zambia’s democratic credentials on the African continent and the world at large.

Notably, it marks the third time that power has changed hands to the opposition in Zambia since 1991. This is worth commending since in Africa incumbent leaders often hold on to power for decades. The leaders at the 41^st SADC summit applauded Zambia and other countries with stable democracies in the bloc.

Pattern of peaceful transitions

Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera, noted that the region has seen a pattern of peaceful transitions of power in recent times. Adding that Zambia is the latest member to embody that. As a result, he indicated that it is “worthy of global acclaim and our applause”.

“To all the leaders and people of Zambia, we say thank you” .
President Lazarus Chakwer

President Chakwera told the 16-nation bloc that regional peace and security depended on democratic norms. According to him, sustaining these norms in addition to the protection of human rights is key for regional peace.

Interestingly, President Chakwera himself was a former opposition politician who came to power last year. He assumed office after the re-election of his predecessor Arthur Mutharika was nullified. Arthur was found guilty of vote rigging and the ballot re-staged.

Lungu conceded defeat

Meanwhile, the incumbent, Lungu, earlier claimed that the election was not free or fair as the counting of votes was in progress. But hours after the vote was declared, Lungu conceded defeat and promised to peacefully hand over power.

A few hours later he met Hichilema in the presence of former leaders — Zambia’s Rupiah Banda, Tanzania’s Jakaya Kikwete and Sierra Leone’s Ernest Bai Koroma.

Yesterday, AU chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat congratulated Hakainde Hichilema on winning Thursday’s presidential election.

Mahamat noted Lungu’s gesture and praised him “for his tenure and demonstrating strong leadership and statesmanship”. This is on the back of “his gracious acceptance of the outcome of the elections”.

Also, the AU Chairperson congratulated the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and all national stakeholders for their collective efforts. According to him, the people of Zambia had exhibited exemplary conduct of peaceful, free and fair elections.

High expectations from young Zambians

Hichilema is a 59-year-old wealthy businessman who had lost in five past elections. As President-elect, he is tasked with resuscitating the country’s economy, a major focus of his election campaign.

To many young Zambians, the election of a new leader will see an end to growing authoritarianism in the country. They also believe it will improve the economic prospects of the country.

Ahead of Zambia’s vote, the main opposition leader was confident that he was going to unseat the incumbent. As a result, Hakainde Hichilema said he would not accept defeat. True to his words, he won this time around. Shortly after the ECZ declared the results, the capital, Lusaka, erupted in celebrations that lasted late into the night. Supporters sung, danced and waved his party’s flags, signaling the beginning of a new dawn.