Raila congratulates Zambia’s President-elect Hakainde Hichilema
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has congaratulated Zambia’s President-elect Hakainde Hichilema.
Hichilema, 59, defeated his main rival, the outgoing President Edgar Lungu, by more than a million votes.
In his official Twitter account, Raila congratulated the opposition candidate for the decisive victory in the Presidential election.
“I take this earliest opportunity to congratulate my friend Hakainde Hichilema and the United Party for National Development for the decisive victory in the presidential election,” he said.
“Amidst an unprecedented public health challenge, the Zambian people have made Africa proud for conducting a successful election.”
He said it was his hope that the election strengthens the democratic life of Zambia.
“….and that it brings more prosperity to the people and reminds fellow Africans elsewhere that nothing is impossible. I wish you the best of luck in the days and years ahead,” Raila said.
It was Hichilema’s sixth attempt at winning the presidency.
His supporters have been celebrating on the streets of the capital, Lusaka.
In its final tally, the electoral commission said Hichilema had won 2,810,777 votes to Lungu’s 1,814,201 in Thursday’s election.
There were seven million registered voters.
