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Obama congratulates Zambia on ‘historic’ elections

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US President Barack Obama congratulated Zambia yesterday on its “historic” elections and said he looked forward to working with incoming leader Michael Sata.

The polls in Zambia, one of the few African countries to have the ruling party change democratically twice since independence, were marred by sporadic violence, but the US leader said it commended the southern African nation “for building on your commitment to multiparty democracy.”

“Zambia’s Electoral Commission, political leaders, civil society, and above all its citizens all contributed to this important accomplishment,” Obama said in a statement released by the White House.

He also hailed outgoing leader Rupiah Banda’s “contributions to Zambia’s democratic development,” and his “admirable acceptance of the will of the Zambian people.”

Observers said the violence, which left two people dead on Thursday had not compromised the elections, and found no evidence of fraud in the voting.

Scores of police on horseback or in riot helmets stood by, but Banda’s speedy concession of defeat diminished the chance of more unrest.

“The hard work of a living democracy does not end when the votes are tallied and the winners announced,” Obama warned.

“Instead it offers the chance to reconcile and to advance greater security and prosperity for its people.

“I hope that all Zambians will find common ground as you address the challenges and seize the opportunities facing your country and our world.”

[AFP]

editor
editorhttp://www.lusakatimes.com

94 COMMENTS

  1. Thank you Mr. Obama. Zambians we should indeed be proud. No blood shed in huge numbers (condolences to the four who have lost their lives)

  5. DUET 4:7
    For what nation is there so great, who has God so near to them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call on him for?

    I feel so blessed to be Zambian.

  8. i just hope the president Sata wont embarrass us kuma foreigners…………..he is from colonial, with mentality from colonial, yet he has defied all odds against him, among them, education,management,state media,state abused resources, etc to coming out victorious in the Election….we salute you bwana

  9. Thank you President Obama and we thank you President Michael Chilufya Sata. Now it’s time to work and show RB that Zambia has will prosper and reach it’s goals of making it’s citizens happy. Sata will bring back what MMD destroyed ot took away from it’s citizens.

  10. THANK you mr obama. we look forward to working with you under the new hero of our nation mr michael c sata. both men are heroes but we’ll still follow up whosoever contravened the law. as there shall be no sacred cows

  12. Zambia has shown that it is a tip on the mountain for all African nations to look up to. I have much respect for former President Banda for the smooth transition of power.. Bravo RB

  13. its like, mmd blogger have sunk in oblivion. Ati sata taka ruling’e po! I wonder why some people would as if they vote for other shallow, it is shallow thinking indeed.

    • You want them to continue making noise?they have accepted the will of majority it’s called democracy read the article above. That’s the different between Zambia and the rest. Do not provoke them at this moment in time. It’s all Sata and PF now,God bless and thanks.

    • Dear dr dre. People says all sorts of things in the heat of the moment, but thats over now. Let by-gones be by-gones. Time to move on. Lets talk about reconciliation as US President says.

  15. Mr Sata,the important thing in this is not the victory but the difficult task ahead; the essential thing is not to have won but to govern well.As Obama and others heap accolades for your win remember its always easy to take all praise as sincere yet question all truthfull criticism as lies especially when one is president.

  16. We have been redeemed from the hands of the insensitive RB and his MMD. This marks the end of MMD and will never rule again. Bye bye to a care taker president as we search for the whereabouts of one William Banda. As for Dora,the writing is on the wall, but she can earn a living through bum shows! Viva Cobra! Viva Zambia! Its also time to give Ceaser what belongs to Ceaser and Finance Bank back to Mahtani!

  17. Am in Australia but am very proud to be Zambian.Congratulations President Michael Sata,the PF and in indeed all Zambians.Lets concentrate on building our nation.There is only one Zambia for all of us.GOD BLESS ZAMBIA AND OUR PRESIDENT.

  18. Those two Zambians who died because of the chaos arising from ECZ’s unnecessary delays and blackout of elections are the true heroes of Zambia today. MMD wasn’t ready to give up power yet. But they got scared the country was going to go up in flames if they carried out their vote fraud. If he was a genuine democratic and accepted the people’s verdict, RB wouldn’t have wept when shown the door of plot 1. He would have been excited and happy to exit when he realised that the people were not happy with his performance which was shody. But he was sad after awakening to the fact he miscalculated and thereby lost the presidency. You could have beaten Sata if you had carried out Mwanawasa’s development plan right from the get go instead of last minute exam cramming

  19. # 18 well said. Finnaly the culture of insecurity that MMD instilled in people that only MMD had the abilities to rule Zambia is over. after Mr Stata will see other political parties emerg victorious. Way to Zambia

  20. I am a proud and civilised Zambia. Thanks OBanda for smoothly handing over power to Sata. Just waiting for more money in my pocket. I now have only 88 days to realise that. Thanks a lot US president we are really a shining example of democracy in Africa.

  22. has the mmd already stopped paying for internert for Mr Capitalist, Senior Citizen, Autralian Engineer and all those MMD paid bloggers? Twalemweba bafikala that pipo cannot see the development RB is talking about. The unemployed pipo on the c/belt have spoken. Now it is time for the Kaponyas to rule. They are zambians and did not chose to be what they are. Donchi kubeba. We will find Willian Banda and this time we will not depot him because he can came back again. We are sending him were they do not come back.

  23. What about President Sata?He was shabily dressed,his hair?The beard?Then the teeth?He was struggling to read a speech!!Needs a few lessons from Obama.Good luck though ba mudala!Welcome to the real world.GOD BLESS ZAMBIA.

  24. We are happy as a people, we are looking forward to a new constitution and fair treatment for all Zambian. God bless H.E. President Sata, long leave Zambia and bless us all.

  27. VIVA ZAMBIANS, it really feels good to be leaders on Democracy in Africa. We are well better than almost all African Countries
    Well Done President SATA and President RB, We are proud of you. PF It’s time for us to work

  28. GOD loves Zambia. He had to allow H.E. MCS to win. Even a genuine win by RB would have meant the country going up in flames which our GOD would not allow. That was why prayer warriors spent time on their knees and got the response of peace as I have indicated above. Zambia was actually caught between a rock and hard place as they say. RB’s quick concesssion was part of GOD’s plan for Zambia’s peace. This government has lot of work cut out for them. One wishes them well. Our GOD in heaven be praised forever for the love over our land of Zambia. Amen.

  29. GOD BLESS ZAMBIA. As these events take place back home, I am out in North Africa where I work as a Social Worker. How good it feels when people admire you for the good things happening in your country. Every time when I mention that I am from Zambia there are three things that people mention; PEACE, FOOTBALL (Kalusha Bwalya) and First President Kenneth Kaunda. We can make our own conclusion why they mention these things which I think people have seen as Zambia’s contribution to the world. This makes us proud. Political cadres should however stop behaving as wild beasts when their party is in power. I hear PF cadres ransacked William Banda’s house. That is un acceptable. Lets learn to behave well and love one another. If that behaviour continues this will discredit PF as well.

  31. Thanks Mr Obama. I’m just disappointed with big international media speciifically CNN and BBC, they not bothered to highlight Africa achievemebt thru this democratic and peaceful transistion. Inside they’re interested in headlining stories and pics of Somalia, fighting in libya..all the negative things… Anyway most western media are looking for problems in africa and most developing nation… what do i say f u CNN and BBC

    • That just shows you that Western Media only make noise about Zimbabwe elections because they are interested in their own race in Zimbabwe. They see Mugabe as having mistreated their own and thus have to tell the whole world about how bad blacks are. Unfortunately African media are follow fashion monkeys who will mimic the Western media and cover Zimbabwe because the whites are doing it. Wake up Africa! CNN and BBC never carried the Zambia election result when it broke. It was only Al Jazeera who reported it.

  34. Ba mudala ba KK really set a good example of putting Country above self. Kaunda’s ceding of power even after ruling for 27 yrs was the blessing that keeps giving. Unlike elsewhere in Africa. Although Chiluba tried to take us off the track, Zambians showed him who’s boss. I am pretty sure if Mwanawasa lived to complete his term, he also would have left peacefully. Now it is RB’s turn. And he has done us Zambians proud for doing what’s right. We may still be poor, but our Democracy is surely maturing bit by bit.

    I know political campaigns can be contentious and sometimes brutal, but at the end of the day we are all Zambians and have only one Country we can all truly call home. So let us all work together to built the Zambia we deserve.

    Congrats to the incoming president!!!!!!

  35. RB took the Zambian people for granted. He was also surrounded by people who were misleading him that was going to win. He bought opinion polls from fake researchers like Neo Simutanyi and others to mislead the people of Zambia that he was going to win. Thank God all these people chewed his money and gave him fake opinion polls and used DON’T KUBEBA. Would like to commend the UPND for putting up a spirited fight which helped to dislodge the MMD out o power. We need JUSTICE to prevail to all those who abused NATIONAL resources and the Zambian people in the OPPOSITION PARTY MMD within 90 days.

  37. Thanks you President Obama. Congrat President Sata. We love you dearly, however remember to pay the last respect to the families who lost dear ones during those last trying and difficult moments. They were real martyrs who died for a change they will never live to winesss. May their Souls Rest in Peace. As for you Mbuya please go back to your farm and revamp development in that area. Remember to take william Banda with because gone are politics of stone throwing and insults. We are in 3third generation yet Willy is still living in pre colonial days. That too goes to you George Kunda. Your education leaves much to be desired. You are worse than the so called call boys of masala, masaiti, kamwala, chilundu or those from slums. Leave politics to real politician. Shame upon all MMD

  38. SO WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE SILLY STATICS THAT THE BANK WERE PRODUCING AND OTHERS , WHERE YOU REALLY READING THE EVENTS OR CONDUCTING PROPER STATICS , SHAME ON YOU EXCEPT FOR THE POST THAT GAVE ALMOST THE ACURATE STATICS…….ANYWAY I CANT BLAME YOU CAUSE YOU WERE TRYING TO BE IN GOOOD BOOKS WITH THE MMD, BUT IT IS ALWAYS NICE TO SAY THE TRUTH FOR NOW I JUST PITY YOU AND THE WAY YOU ARE FEELING NOW ESPECIALLY THAT STUPID BOY CHIMBA WHAT 3 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AM SURE YOU ARE FEELING THE HEAT NOW.SHOW THE WORLD SATA THAT YOU MEANT WHAT YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO….WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AS YOU START TAKING CARE OF OUR COUNTRY.

  39. Many thanks to President Obama for the message of congratulations. It is unfortunate that two people had to loose their lives in the sporadic violence.

    We the people of Zambia must now forget all our past diffrerences and embrace the spirit of reconciliation as we move forward in support of our newly elected president.

    “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Martin Luther King.

  41. Good for our democracy, but there are certain maggots you seem not to understand that Democracy is the will of the people and change is influenced by the majority. So certain individual maggots like Chanda Chiimba and Dora Siliya need to be taken back to school. We are here in exile because of what they did to our country. I m coming back home now now. Viva Democracy, Viva PF and our President Mr. Sata.

  43. Thanx to Mr Obama, All the best Mr President Michael C.Sata, but our president must be very careful on choosing the country we do economical investment with, i have no problem zambia working with china if at all they accept and follow our LABOUR ACT. China can do well with zambia. the last time i heared president Bush working with Tanzania he said this words ” the United States and Tanzania – in partnership with the World Bank and The Global Fund – planned to distribute 5.2 million free bed MOSQUITO nets in Tanzania in six months”. after that BA BUSH went back with billions of tanzanians money. So if US will bring in investment that will create JOBS and Development to our economy, then Mr Obam you are most wellcome. THANX

  46. Can someone tell me why men were stripping and walking in their underwear yesterday.Is it a sign of being homo or was it the heat or just plain stupidity?

  47. THE FACT IS THE WORK HAS JUST STARTED WITH THE FOLLOWING HEADLINES
    1. FIGHT AND ROOT OUT CORRUPTION
    2. PRESIDENT FOR ALL
    3. TAKE TO COURT ALL MMD THIEVES( Campaigned to parade them)
    4. SOCIAL SECTORS
    5. ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
    6. LOWER TAXES(PAYE) AND HIGHER EXTRACTIVE INDUSRY TAX
    7. INDEPENDENCE OF JUDICIARY AND SPEEDY DISPOSAL OF CASES
    8. ALL TO OBSERVE LAW AND BE SUBJECT TO THE LAW
    9.SCRAB AND CLEAN GOVT AND GET ALL THIEVES INTO COURT(FROM CHILUBA TO RB)
    10 GET DEC AND BOZ TO BE INDEPENDENT INCLUDING AUDITOR GENERAL AND SOLICTOR GENERAL
    11 GET A PROPER CONSITUTION WITHIN 1 YEAR
    THEN WE SHALL VOTE FOR YOU COME 2016

  48. Ba LT, please release comprehensive results for all the candidates who elected as MPs. We want to know who we are going to work with.

  49. why should it bother u how others celebrate? I did not want to take of my shirt or climb or tree so I was indoors and watched on TV. Homo was a failed plan for the MMD to derail the pipo. It never word so learn to change.

  50. # 39, Guy Scott is a Zambian and a carrier of green national registration card. He is no different from you you and me. The only thing people are speculating about is because he is white.

  53. @39, Guy Scot qualifies to be the veep. If you look at things carefully, you will realise that Guy Scot was born in Zambia from Zambian parents. His parents were in Zambia at the time of independence and thus become automatic Zambians. Unlike RB who was born in Zimbabwe from a Shona mother and a Malawian father

  54. A Phiri

    Watched this one with great respect to those on the ground who did what we cannot do from a distance. Who knows. Perhaps in time Zambians will be able to vote from wherever in the world they are! Congratulations Zambia. Congratulations President Sata and Vice President Scott. Congratulations PF and all its supporters. May all Zambians come together to make things better for all. I personally believe no party should stay in power past a single re-election or things become stagnant and it’s harder to make people accountable for errors or corruption. I now dream of seeing my Lozi mother and that side of my family acknowledged and not misrepresented. May all the provinces of Zambia benefit from a renewed promise. 

  55. #49 kci it bothers me when grown men undress in public in the name celebrating.Perhaps I’ve been away from home too long is this the new tradition.Can women do it too?

  56. THANK U MR OBAMA AND WE PROMISE U THAT WE WIL CAGE ALL THUGS FRM MMD SO DAT WE CN CONTINUE ENJOYIN PEACE IN OUR LAND. IF FIL AS IF IAM A FREEDOM FIGHTER ATLAST MMD IS NOW OPPOSITION PARTY, IT FEELS GUD TO BE A PATRIOTIC ZAMBIAN. LONG LIVE MR MICHEAL CHILUFYA SATA.

  58. Thanl you so very much Mr. Obama. Indeed hard work starts now. Zambians really need help from our government to provide leadership. President SATA, is just one person but collectively we can do it. God bless mother Zambia!

  59. Thank you No drama Obama.

    Those of you living abroad will probably agree with me here. Do you ever wonder why tourists or holidaymakers seldom visit peaceful Zambia, but always visit troubled places like Kenya, Nigeria, Angola, etc?
    :-? It’s because our ambassadors like Nevers Mumba, Anderson Chibwa, etc are busy living it up and not promoting Zambia!

  61. Thanks President Obama. Zambia has gone through interesting times and seasons. UNIP and Dr Kaunda were liberators Dr Kaunda is known for that. MMD and Dr Chiluba declared Zambia a Christian nation. Let us not remove this from our identity and they brought free market economy. Dr Rupiah Banda will be known for bring economic development within a very short time he was president and for being a gentle man to concede defeat for the peace of the nation, only heroes and mature people can do that. Work isn’t going to be easy because we have been freed from colonialism, we have free market economy what we need now is development. Zambia is one of the few countries in Africa where people can be ministers and presidents regardless of color and gender so let us keep this going . God bless Zambia.

  64. AM SUCH A FAILURE, FAILING TO BE IN THE STATES HOUSE FOR 3 FULL YEARS AND WORST OF ALL, FAILING TO RIG THE ELECTIONS!!!! ANYWAY I TRIED HARD TO RIG; IT’S JUST THAT THE PF WAS TOO ALERT.

  66. If something terrible or bad had happened the western media would have plastered the image of zambia everywhere. But when proper democratic elections happen I find hardly any news source apart from al jazeera actually covering the election. These people really love to heard bad news about africa and yet when theres good news it is ignored

  68. Yes, proudly Zambian. Now, Lets turn this peace and positivity these elections have generated into productivity at all levels. Peace is a brand which some Countries can only dream of.

  69. We are so Democratic and may God continue to bless our beautiful country… one Zambia is indeed one Nation.. we are one people, may peace and prosperity and may God continue showering the showers of blessings upon our beautiful country… what more can I say am Proud to be Zambian…by the way Thanks Mr Obama we really appreciate.

  70. I am surprised that PF cadres on this blog have shown no remorse over the loss of lives caused by other PF cadres who were determined to take the law into their own hands in order to see sata into state house without waiting for the results to be announced. Shame but good to read Nine Chali’s comment and concern.

  71. come on Zambians. How can someone who loots other pipos goods and is shot to be a heros?? A thief is a thief. Heroes are those who stayed home and wait for the results. Not looters and thugs. The heroes in Zambia politics are K.K,RB, Mwanawasa and yes indeed FTJ who wasn’t tribalist like M …..Bravo RB you have shown africa how wise you are.

  74. there is nothing as good experincing free electons, to RB YOU were a good man in your own way. you did what you could in tour season.Mr Sata i wish you well in your servisce to the nation and GODS guidanece. Thank you mr obama for recognising our country and your willingness to work with our new govt God bless you and the world at large

  75. i know am going to get alot of comments for saying this but can we really trust a white man to rule again? there are alot of white people in africa only for their own interests.

  76. Thanx President Obama, In Zambia we believe in true democracy. We love our president Micheal Sata because he mean what he says. He is a true Zambian who stands in for his people and not foriegners. Mr. President we love you very much please do your Job especially those who rigged the elections the law must visit them. Thank you

  77. #40. My speculation is that winter kabimba might Combine VP and Justice minister as the arrangement is currently due to his legal background. Seperating the two portfolios will defeat the the idea of reducing cabinet in the sata admin. Guy Scott will better be placed as Agic minister the first position he held under the first mmd govt.

  79. we thank god for peace in Zambia.FTJ MHSRIP…i know you still would have been proud of us.God bless President Sata and Christ bless Zambia.

  80. #31 Pan Africanist That just shows you that Western Media only make noise about Zimbabwe elections because they are interested in their own race in Zimbabwe. They see Mugabe as having mistreated their own and thus have to tell the whole world about how bad blacks are. CNN and BBC never carried the Zambia election result when it broke. It was only Al Jazeera who reported it. Unfortunately African media are follow fashion monkeys who will mimic the Western media and cover Zimbabwe because the whites are doing it. Wake up Africa!

  81. Bravo ba SATA, Zambia is just another unique shining example of How democracy should work in the entire world. GOOD EXAMPLE BA ZAMBIA

  82. LT check your IT, iam not living in the American sh*t.. whats this flag you are giving me???? work on it, i got independent a long long long time, define me by my AFRICAN FLAG!!!!!

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