Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema sworn in as President in rare victory for an African opposition leader

Hichilema was inaugurated Tuesday morning at a ceremony attended by leaders such as Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Malawi leader Lazarus Chakwera. Zambia’s second female Vice President Mutale Nalumango was also sworn in during the ceremony. “Africa in general and Zimbabwe in particular needs leaders not rulers, strong institutions – not strong men. Leaders must lead and leave, serve and go. Zimbabwe must be free and Democratic. Freedom can be delayed but never denied,” he said when asked what the message for Zimbabwe is. It is the third time that power has shifted peacefully from a ruling party to the opposition since the southern African country’s independence from Britain in 1964.There was a huge turnout of mostly young people, some who came dressed in their academic robes to protest lack of employment post graduation. Joseph Kalimbwe, a youth representative of Hichilema’s UPND party told CNN. “Young people gave us the vote. Four million young people between the ages of 18 to 24 registered to vote. It was a huge turnout and it was very personal to them. They want to ensure the mistakes of their parents were corrected. They have voted for our leader on basis he has better policies and ideas and can strengthen our state institutions.”