Hichilema sworn in for 2nd term, extends olive branch to political opponents

27 Views President Hakainde Hichilema has been sworn in for a second five-year term at National Heroes Stadium, officially opening the 2026–2031 administration following his victory in the August 13 general election. Thousands of Zambians attended the ceremony alongside regional heads of state, senior government officials and international delegations who traveled to Lusaka for the […]

27 Views

President Hakainde Hichilema has been sworn in for a second five-year term at National Heroes Stadium, officially opening the 2026–2031 administration following his victory in the August 13 general election.

Thousands of Zambians attended the ceremony alongside regional heads of state, senior government officials and international delegations who traveled to Lusaka for the inauguration.

With the oaths taken, executive authority was formally handed over for the next five years.

The swearing-in comes amid heightened political tension.

In his first address after taking the oath, President Hichilema called for unity, extended a hand of peace to his opponents and set out a new economic focus for the country.

“We extend our hand to those who opposed us, this Republic belongs to all of us,” he said.

“Let us move forward together with humility, our political preferences may be there but our future is one,” he said.

The President appealed for national cohesion despite political differences.
“The person who voted against us is not our enemy. Whatever our political choices, we remain one people,” President Hichilema said.

“To those who chose other candidates and other parties, we have heard you, and we respect your choice. Democracy demands that we do not agree on everything.”

Apparently, his main challenger Brian Mundubile rejected the election results and vowed to mount a court challenge, however the courts were closed on the deadline for filing any presidential petition.

Hichilema’s olive branch comes at a time when Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu are in prison on treason charges.

Turning to the economy, Hichilema said his focus is now on growth.

“During the first term, we stabilised the economy,” he said. “In this term, we are moving from stabilisation to growing the economy so that more citizens can generate revenue. Our target is to triple the size of the economy in these next five years.”

He announced the ‘Grow Zambia Agenda’ as the centerpiece of his second term, shifting from the “New Dawn” platform that defined his first administration.

He urged citizens to focus on productivity and wealth creation.
“Zambians, let us dedicate ourselves to hard and smart work,” he said. “No matter how good-hearted one may be to their children and families, the truth is, you cannot share poverty. We have to do something to address wealth creation.”

On foreign policy, he said: “Zambia will continue to be a voice for peace, dialogue in the global community.”

“There can be no sustainable development without peace, stability and sustainability,” President Hakainde Hichilema added.

He said his government’s new term will prioritize jobs, investment, and infrastructure under the Grow Zambia Agenda, as the country navigates the post-election period.