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Zambia opposition leader criticizes president's salary rise

Xinhua, March 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

Zambia's main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema on Tuesday urged President Edgar Lungu to reverse a decision to increase his salary due to economic challenges facing the country.

Lungu has recently increased his salary and other allowances -- the third time since taking office in January last year.

Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda signed a bill on Lungu's salary increase on March 10 and the new salary has been backdated to January 2016.

Hichilema described the decision as "outrageous" and "selfish" as the majority of people he said were "suffering", adding the Zambian leader "enjoys many benefits by virtue of his office".

"Inflation has increased prices and the cost of living has gone up, meanwhile job losses have seen more and more families destitute and without hope," he said.

"At such times, a leader must apply austerity not only to the nation but at a personal level," he added.

In the 2015 presidential elections, Lungu defeated Hichilema. Endit