This archive report was first published on 25 August 2021.
President Kenyatta Attends Inauguration of Zambia's New President ¶
On August 24, 2021, President Uhuru Kenyatta was among the ten African Heads of State and Government who attended the inauguration of Zambia's new President Hakainde Hichilema in Lusaka.
President Hichilema, 59, was sworn in as the 7th President of Zambia alongside his Vice President Mrs Mutale Nalumango at a ceremony held at the National Heroes Stadium by Zambia's acting Chief Justice Michael Musonda.
President Hichilema pledged to ensure all citizens enjoy their freedoms as guaranteed by the constitution, saying, 'I am a simple village boy you have made the 7th President. This victory is for all Zambians, especially the youth who came out in great numbers to vote. We showed the whole world the resilience of our democracy.'
Leaders who spoke at the event commended Zambians for the peaceful elections, saying the smooth transfer of power had demonstrated Africa's ability to manage its affairs.
President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who is also the African Union (AU) Chairperson, and President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, who is the current Chairman of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), spoke on behalf of visiting Heads of State and Government and commended Zambians for the peaceful elections.
On Tuesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta held talks with President Hichilema during which he assured the new Zambian leader of Kenya's commitment to the deepening of bonds of friendship, economic ties, and diplomatic collaboration in furtherance of shared values and common goals between the two African nations.
