Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Mahamat has congratulated Hakainde Hichilema on his election as president of Zambia.

Beating incumbent President Edgar Lungu, Zambia’s opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema was declared winner of the presidential election held on Aug. 12 early Monday by the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the country’s electoral body.

While hailing the election as a success, the Chairperson of the AU Commission in a statement on Tuesday praised the outgoing President, Edgar Lungu for demonstrating strong leadership and statesmanship through his gracious acceptance of the outcome of the elections.

Mahamat congratulated the Electoral Commission of Zambia and all national stakeholders for their collective efforts in the exemplary conduct of peaceful, free, and fair elections.

Buhari congratulates President-elect of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema

He praised Ernest Bai Koroma, former president of Sierra Leone, for his leadership of the AU Election Observation Mission to Zambia.

Mahamat expressed AU’s continued support to Zambia in its journey toward deepening the country’s democratic and participative governance credentials