Zambia’s Opposition Leader Hichilema Wins Presidential Vote

Business tycoon and opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema has been declared winner of the hotly contested presidential election in debt-burdened but copper-rich Zambia. With 155 of 156 constituencies reporting, official results showed Hichilema had garnered 2,810,757 votes against President Edgar Lungu’s tally of 1,814,201. The 59-year-old veteran opposition politician beat his long-time rival Lungu following a bruising race held against the backdrop of deteriorating standards of living. This is the sixth time Hichilema, who is 59, has run for the top job and the third time he has challenged 64-year-old incumbent Lungu.