EDGAR TAKES OATH AS SIXTH PRESIDENT, APPOINTS SIMBYAKULA JUSTICE MINISTER Edgar Chagwa Lungu has been sworn in as Zambias Sixth President at a ceremony at Lusakas National Heroes stadium. The swearing in done by Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda was done to loud applause and enthusiasm. The ceremony attended by foreign dignitaries, government ministers and former heads of state. The notables are Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe who is also SADC chairperson here with his wife Grace and has been in the country for two days, the Prime-minister of Swaziland, Prime Minister of Tanzania,United States Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Sarah Sewall among others. Former Presidents Kenneth Kaunda and Rupiah Banda, Dr. Guy Scott, former First Lady Christine Kaseba, Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Patrick Matibini, Leaders of opposition political parties such as Dr. Nevers Mumba of MMD are also present. The President has spoken of his intention to fulfill his promises to the people of Zambia including his will to reduce poverty, strengthen institutions and be accountable to the people. President Lungu extended an olive branch to his competitors in the Presidential race for the acrimony that he said must be set aside for the good of the country. He also said healing and reconciliation was important in his own Patriotic Front (PF) party.He paid tribute to his predecessor Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata whose vision he has committed himself to fulfill. He held a minutes silence as a gesture of honour for the departed leader. Meanwhile the President has made his first appointment to his cabinet by appointing Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula as his Minister of Justice. Mr. Lungu said he will appoint other ministers today and swear them in tomorrow at 9:00 Hrs. He said there was no time to waste in the duties to the people and his team should start working from today. He acknowledge the short time there is between now and the next elections and said the people will judge him by his teams performance. He said while maintaining the country as a Christian nation, no religion was unprotected by the constitution. He assured foreign investors and businesses that their investments were safe on his watch and that his concern was only to get what was fair and due to the Zambian people.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 09:46:03 +0000
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