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By BARNABAS ZULU
ZAMBIA’s Sixth President, Edgar Lungu, has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Donald J. Trump following his historical election as the 47th President of the United States having been elected the 45th President and being subjected to legal before bouncing back into White House.
Former President Lungu has celebrated Trump’s resilience, political discipline, and leadership, describing his victory as one of the most consequential presidential polls in American history.
In a statement, yesterday, former President Lungu said: “Allow me to join the rest of the world in congratulating the incoming 47th President of the United States of America, His Excellency Donald J. Trump who has today won the most consequential presidential poll in the history of his country.”
Former President Lungu compared Mr Trump’s return to power to Zambia’s political environment saying: “If it were here, we could have said in Bemba: ëNabwelelapo pamupando’ (he is back on the Presidential throne).” The former head of State highlighted Trump’s perseverance, considering the challenges he faced during his previous presidency, including what the Zambian leader described as one of the most persecuted former presidents in America’s modern history.
The former Zambian President emphasized that Trump’s victory had demonstrated political discipline, leadership tenacity, and a campaign grounded in patriotic messages that resonated with American voters.
“Mr. Trump has shown the world that political discipline and leadership tenacity, coupled with the correct and patriotic campaign messages, have the power to win the hearts of the masses,” Mr Lungu remarked, acknowledging that many Zambians, like himself, are proud of Trump’s achievement.
“I speak from a place of knowledge that most Zambians, just like me, are proud of President Trump and wish him the best as he takes over the White House in January 2025.”
Though the United States may seem distant to many ordinary Zambians, President Lungu emphasized the global impact of U.S. politics and expressed hope that President Trump would take decisive action on international conflicts, particularly the ongoing tensions between Gaza and Israel, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war.
“We sincerely hope that President Trump will help to mediate and end the Gaza-Israel conflict as well as the Russia-Ukraine war,” he said.
Former President Lungu also commended the U.S. electoral and justice systems, noting that Trump was allowed to contest the election freely, despite legal challenges.
He praised the American system for preventing “lawfare” from interfering with Trump’s candidacy.
“The rest of the world must take a leaf from the United States that in a democracy, candidates must be allowed to run their race instead of being stopped from participating by using the courts of law,” the formar Zambian President said.
Mr Lungu also celebrated Vice-President Kamala Harris, who he praised for her spirited campaign and commended her as an important figure in the U.S. electoral process.
“Fellow Zambians, join me in celebrating the Trump victory and strongly commending Vice-President Kamala Harris for having mounted a spirited campaign,” Mr Lungu said.
The former president concluded by noting that Zambia could learn much from the U.S. election process, particularly in terms of free and fair political competition.
