By Scoop Reporter
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has congratulated newly elected Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera.
Dr. Chakwera has been sworn in as president of Malawi after winning an election rerun. He defeated incumbent Peter Mutharika with 58.57 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s poll, according to results announced by the electoral commission yesterday.
In February this year, Malawi’s constitutional court annulled Mr. Mutharika’s victory in the May 2019 election, citing vote tampering and the country was bitterly divided in the run-up to this week’s election.
In his letter to his new counterpart, President Lungu says the election outcome shows the confidence that Malawians have in Dr. Chakwera.
“Your election is on affirmation of the trust and confidence that the people of Malawi have in your leadership qualities, which ushers in a wave of democratic change that the people of Malawi have been advocating for,” President Lungu said.
He adds; “Zambia and Malawi share strong brotherly bonds of friendship based on mutual respect. I therefore wish to take this opportunity to reaffirm my country’s commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations that our two countries have continued to enjoyed.”
And United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema has congratulated Dr. Chakwera for the resounding election victory, in that country’s poll rerun, which he described as historical and unprecedented.
“We further wish to convey our heartfelt tribute to the gallant voters of Malawi who stood firm in demanding for a free, fair, peaceful and transparent election as they braved many months of institutional bullying and uncertainty
“This election victory is a win for democracy and justice in Africa and underscores the African people’s uncompromising universal desire to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Malawi has shown that with determination and a political will by all institutions of governance and all stakeholders including the citizens, a free, fair and democratic election is possible anywhere in Africa,” Mr. Hichilema said.
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