File Photo: Zambia's New President Edgar Lungu. (Associated Press)
Lusaka:
Zambia's new President Edgar Lungu was sworn in on Sunday, pledging to unite the country and rebuild the economy after narrowly winning a vote rejected by the opposition.
Mr Lungu, the former defence minister from the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), takes over the helm for the remainder of the late Michael Sata's term until a general election scheduled for September 2016.
He promised to unite the southern African country and focus on building the economy of the continent's second biggest copper producer, which has been hit by declining prices.
"I am aware of the various challenges that our people are facing and something must be done," he said, listing poverty reduction as a key priority.
"I am very honoured that you have decided to make me your servant," he said after taking the oath at a ceremony attended by thousands of Zambians as well as African dignitaries.
"You are the masters and I am your servant."
He was declared the winner on Saturday of an election last week that was disrupted by bad weather and poor voter turnout.
Mr Lungu has vowed to continue the policies of his predecessor, including a contentious mining tax regime.
Zambia tripled mining royalties to 20 per cent on January 1 from six per cent, putting the government at loggerheads with mining firms already buckling under a fall in global commodity prices.
He said the government's "desire to ensure companies pay the right taxes will continue".
His rival in the closely-fought race, businessman Hakainde Hichilema, had promised to reverse the system.
As part of his plan to address poverty, the former lawyer said his adminstration will support small scale-farmers in order to improve food security.
"We shall therefore continue with president Sata's legacy and I want to promise you the people of Zambia a new constitution," he said.
The drafting of a new constitution, one of Mr Sata's pledges when he came to power in 2011, had been hit by a series of delays.
"We will definitely have a people-driven constitution," he added.
Mr Lungu, the former defence minister from the ruling Patriotic Front (PF), takes over the helm for the remainder of the late Michael Sata's term until a general election scheduled for September 2016.
He promised to unite the southern African country and focus on building the economy of the continent's second biggest copper producer, which has been hit by declining prices.
"I am aware of the various challenges that our people are facing and something must be done," he said, listing poverty reduction as a key priority.
"I am very honoured that you have decided to make me your servant," he said after taking the oath at a ceremony attended by thousands of Zambians as well as African dignitaries.
"You are the masters and I am your servant."
He was declared the winner on Saturday of an election last week that was disrupted by bad weather and poor voter turnout.
Mr Lungu has vowed to continue the policies of his predecessor, including a contentious mining tax regime.
Zambia tripled mining royalties to 20 per cent on January 1 from six per cent, putting the government at loggerheads with mining firms already buckling under a fall in global commodity prices.
He said the government's "desire to ensure companies pay the right taxes will continue".
His rival in the closely-fought race, businessman Hakainde Hichilema, had promised to reverse the system.
As part of his plan to address poverty, the former lawyer said his adminstration will support small scale-farmers in order to improve food security.
"We shall therefore continue with president Sata's legacy and I want to promise you the people of Zambia a new constitution," he said.
The drafting of a new constitution, one of Mr Sata's pledges when he came to power in 2011, had been hit by a series of delays.
"We will definitely have a people-driven constitution," he added.
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