Zambian President Edgar Lungu on Monday met with the country’s newly elected President Hakainde Hichilema, reported CGTN Africa.
Hichilema was declared as the winner of the recently held presidential election with 2 810 757 votes. Lungu came in second with 1 814 201 votes. The voting turnout was around 70.9% — a huge jump from 57.7% posted in the 2016 polls.
The outgoing Zambian president announced that he met Hichilema in the presence of Commonwealth Chief Observer and former Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete and African Union Chief Election Observer and former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma.
“We remain committed to putting Zambia first,” Lungu said.
In a video posted to his Facebook page and broadcast on Zambia’s national television station, Lungu conceded his defeat and vowed for a peaceful transition of power in the country.
“Based on the revelation of the ECZ final results, I will comply with the constitutional provisions for a peaceful transition of power,” he said.
He went on to thank the Zambian people for giving him an opportunity to be their president. Lungu was elected in 2015 to serve the remaining term of President Michael Sata, who died while in office. He then narrowly beat Hichilema in the 2016 general election to become president.
After being declared as the presidential election winner, Hichilema announced that he would work to be President of all Zambians.
“With the election behind us, let us come together as Zambians. One Zambia. One Nation. To those who voted for other candidates, we extend our hand, in friendship and respect. Though today you may be disappointed, I embrace you as your brother and as your servant. I will be a President of all Zambians, of those that voted for me and of those that did not,” he said.
Hichilema also announced that he would govern without fear or favor, without preference for any Zambian group over another.
