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Roundup: World leaders hail Zambian president's re-election

Xinhua, August 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

World leaders have sent messages of congratulations to Zambia's President Edgar Lungu following his re-election, his office said on Wednesday.

The United States government, the European Union (EU) and two former presidents have all sent messages congratulating Lungu on his re-election after last Thursday's elections.

The American government hailed Lungu's victory and looked forward to advancing shared interests between the two countries.

"We congratulate President-elect Edgar Lungu and call on all candidates to show leadership in respecting the official results as announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia," a statement released by U.S. embassy in Zambia said.

The EU, in a separate statement, congratulated Lungu on his re-election, adding that it was looking forward to deepening its partnership with Zambia.

The EU further hailed Zambians for turning up in large numbers during the voting day, adding that the assessment so far indicated that voting was peaceful and generally well administered.

Meanwhile, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has also congratulated Lungu on his re-election.

Amos Chanda, Lungu's spokesperson said Carter telephoned Lungu to wish him well and urged him to do his best to unite the country.

The former U.S. president said Lungu should ensure peace and stability to prevail and allow the due process of the law.

On his part, the Zambian leader assured that he will do his best to unite the country and ensure stability prevailed.

And former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete also congratulated Lungu on his re-election and wished him well.

The former Tanzanian president, who was leader of the Commonwealth Observer Mission, hoped that Zambia should maintain its longstanding peace and stability.

Messages of congratulations have continued pouring in after Lungu was declared winner of the tightly-contested August 11 election.

Others who have congratulated him include former secretary-general of the United Nations (UN) Kofi Annan and current UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, according to a statement released to the media by Zambia's First Secretary for Press and Public Relations of the Permanent Mission at the United Nations, Chibaula Silwamba.

Lungu won the election after polling 1.8 million votes while his main rival Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND) polled 1.7 million votes. Endit