| Event Name: | Inauguration of Edgar Lungu |
| Participants: | President-elect |
| Location: | National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka |
The inauguration of Edgar Lungu as the 6th president of Zambia took place on 13 September 2016. This was the second time Edgar Lungu took the oath after he first took office on 25 January 2015. Edgar Lungu took the oath alongside Inonge Wina as Vice-President of Zambia.[1] [2] The day of the inauguration was set as a public holiday in Zambia and Monday September 12 as a half working day.[3] [4]
Lungu won the controversial August 2016 presidential election, receiving 50.35% of the votes. The election received various criticisms from the opposition party and the opposition petitioned the High court to block the inauguration. However, the high court rejected the application.[5]
The planning of the inauguration of President-elect Edgar Lungu started on the 16th of August but the planning and works were suspended[6] after a presidential petition was filed in an urgent application contesting the validity of President Edgar Lungu's win by Hakainde Hichilema, UPND President and his running mate Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba.[7] On 5 September The Constitutional Court dismissed the petition against the election of President Edgar Lungu by United Party for National Development leader Hakainde Hichilema and his running mate Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba on grounds that its mandate lapsed at 23:59 on Friday.[8] After this the preparations started for the inauguration of president-elect Monday 12 September was set a half working day and Tuesday 13 was a public holiday.
The official swearing-in ceremony took place at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka from 0800 hours (UTC) on 13 September 2016. Lungu arrived at the swearing in venue with his wife to a roaring crowd at 0835 (UTC). A priest delivered a prayer to commence the official proceedings. Under the observation of the Chief Justice of Zambia, Irene Mambilima, at 0900 (UTC) Lungu took his oath of office.[9] Lungu then addressed the nation.[10]
| Country | Title | Dignitary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Ian Khama[11] | ||
| Deputy President | William Ruto | ||
| Vice-President | Saulos Chilima | ||
| Vice-President | Nickey Iyambo | ||
| Vice-President | Samia Suluhu[12] | ||
| President | Robert Mugabe |
| Organisation | Title | Dignitary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| African Union | Commissioner for Economic Affairs | Anthony Mothae Maruping | |
| International Conference on the Great Lakes Region | Executive Secretary | Ntumba Luaba | |
| Southern African Development Community | Executive Secretary | Stergomena Tax | |
| Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa | Secretary-General | Sindiso Ngwenya[15] | |
| Commonwealth of Nations | Deputy Secretary General | Deodat Maharaj |