Zambian opposition set to block Lungu's inauguration

7th September 2016 By: News24Wire

Zambian opposition set to block Lungu's inauguration

Zambian President Edgar Lungu
Photo by: Reuters

Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema along with his running mate, Geoffrey Mwamba, have taken to the High Court after their presidential petition was thrown out by the Constitutional Court on Monday, Lusaka Times reports.

The duo filed a motion against Edgar Lungu and his running mate, Ininge Wina along with the Electoral Commission of Zambia.

Zambia's constitutional court on Monday threw out an attempt by Hichilema to annul August's election results, clearing the way for Lungu's inauguration.

The opposition leader, who lost the election by just 100 000 votes, claimed that the result was rigged and launched a bid to stop Lungui retaining power.

Hichilema vowed to continue fighting against the Constitutional Court's decision and shared a post on Facebook assuring his supporters that he would not give up the fight in liberating Zambia.

According to The Post, Hichilema urged Zambians to reclaim their democracy.

"This is not time to give up, I will not give up. I will take it up until our courts do the right thing for the people of Zambia. The Zambia people must reclaim their democracy because it is gone. We don't have a country anymore," Hichilema was quoted as saying.

Lungu took office last year when he beat Hichilema in a snap election following the death of president Michael Sata.