Hichilema sworn in as Zambia’s president

By Musonda Chibamba AAP

Hakainde Hichilema has been sworn in as Zambia’s seventh president. Credit: EPA

Zambia’s opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has taken his oath of office as the seventh president of the landlocked southern African country.

The 59-year-old veteran politician defeated outgoing president Edgar Lungu by more than a million votes in the elections held earlier this month.

The inauguration ceremony took place on Tuesday at Lusaka’s National Heroes Stadium, which was packed with supporters of the leader of the United Party of National Development (UPND).

“We will grow our economy so we can lift more people out of poverty than ever before,” Hichilema said in his first speech as president.

“We will promote unity in diversity and ensure respect for the fundamental human rights and freedoms for all.

“We will restore the rule of law, general order in our public places and communities, and return our country back to normalcy.”

African heads of state from Zimbabwe, Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo attended the ceremony.

Hichilema, who first tried for the copper-rich nation’s presidency 15 years ago, has his work cut out for him.

He will have to manage the country’s ongoing massive economic crisis, as well as a high rate of unemployment among the youth.

thewest.com.au