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Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema sworn in as President in rare victory for an African opposition leader

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Zambia’s newly-elected president, Hakainde Hichilema, has been sworn into office after pulling off a stunning rare victory for an African opposition leader.

Hichilema was inaugurated Tuesday morning at a ceremony attended by leaders such as Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Malawi leader Lazarus Chakwera.

Zambia’s second female Vice President Mutale Nalumango was also sworn in during the ceremony.

Hichilema defeated outgoing President Edgar Lungu in a landslide by almost one million votes in his sixth attempt at becoming ruler of Zambia.

It was a stunning turnaround for the politician known as HH — Hichilema spent several months in prison in 2017 for what were widely seen as politically motivated treason charges. The charges were dropped under intense international pressure.

After initially indicating he may challenge the result, Lungu addressed the nation following the elections, saying: “Based on the revelations issued at final results, I will comply with the constitutional provisions for a peaceful transition of power.

Despite conceding defeat early, Lungu was booed by some of the crowd as he made his way to the stage at the packed Heroes stadium in the capital Lusaka to hand over power.

Hichilema called Tuesday “a new dawn in Zambia,” in a tweet ahead of the ceremony. “As I sit here in our vehicle being driven to Heroes Stadium, I see the love, the joy and the jubilation as people line the streets on our way. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. I love you all so much,” he added.

An example for Africa

Opposition leaders from other African countries were also invited to the event.

Nelson Chamisa, opposition leader in Zimbabwe, told CNN: “This is a significant and fantastic for what is possible for the future of Africa. Zambia is an inspiration to stubborn laggards in democracy. Strong institutions are key for effective power transfer and smooth transitions,” he said in a statement when asked about the significance of today’s inauguration.

Chamisa added that Zambia is an excellent example to be emulated on the continent.

“Africa in general and Zimbabwe in particular needs leaders not rulers, strong institutions – not strong men. Leaders must lead and leave, serve and go. Zimbabwe must be free and Democratic. Freedom can be delayed but never denied,” he said when asked what the message for Zimbabwe is.

It is the third time that power has shifted peacefully from a ruling party to the opposition since the southern African country’s independence from Britain in 1964.

There was a huge turnout of mostly young people, some who came dressed in their academic robes to protest lack of employment post graduation.

Joseph Kalimbwe, a youth representative of Hichilema’s UPND party told CNN

Young people gave us the vote. Four million young people between the ages of 18 to 24 registered to vote. It was a huge turnout and it was very personal to them. They want to ensure the mistakes of their parents were corrected. They have voted for our leader on basis he has better policies and ideas and can strengthen our state institutions.”

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International

Some Top Republicans Secretly Pray for Kamala Harris Massive Win

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By Dan Ladden-Hall

It seems it’s not just Democrats who are hoping that Donald Trump will be dealt a devastating defeat in November.

Several notable Republican figures also want the former president to lose to Kamala Harris but aren’t saying so publicly, according to Politico. Some GOP lawmakers see the possibility of a new Trump term as bad news for the party, the outlet reports.

Among those concerned are proponents of free market economic policies who are concerned by Trump’s proposed import tariffs, while abortion rights opponents are also skeptical of his inconsistent messaging on that issue, according to Politico.

They’re also reportedly concerned that Trump winning in 2024 could hurt the GOP’s electoral chances in the future.

“There’s a lot of anxiety about what Trump does to Republican ability to win in 2028—and what he also may do to the party in terms of policy long term,” one anonymous conservative leader told Politico. “There is just this concern that like, ‘OK, if the party just goes in that direction, then what kind of party is it going forward? And can conservatives, then, have a home going forward?’”

The outlet also claims concerned Republicans hope Trump’s loss is by a wide margin in order to help stifle any attempts to cast doubt on the legitimacy of his hypothetical defeat.

In a separate column, Politico’s columnist Jonathan Martin claimed the best outcome for the future of the Republican Party is for Trump to “lose soundly” in November.

“For most Republicans who’ve not converted to the Church of MAGA, this scenario is barely even provocative,” Martin writes. “In fact, asking around with Republicans last week, the most fervent private debate I came across in the party was how best to accelerate Trump’s exit to the 19th Hole.”

In a statement, Trump spokesperson Brian Hughes told the outlet that Trump has “unified the GOP like never before” and “expanded his coalition of support across partisan lines to Democrats and Independents.”

“Our campaign and down-ballot Republicans are poised for a great result in November, despite a few hand-wringing, anonymous sources who are not bold enough to attach their names to this drivel,” Hughes added.

* Reuters

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International

Canada Ends Visitor-to-work Permit Policy

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The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has ended a temporary public policy that allowed visitors to apply for a work permit from within Canada.

The IRCC introduced the policy in August 2020 to help visitors who were unable to leave the country due to COVID-19 pandemic–related travel restrictions.

Under the policy, visitors in Canada could apply for a work permit without having to leave the country.

In addition, foreign nationals who had held a work permit in the previous 12 months but changed their status in Canada to “visitor” could apply to work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.

“While the temporary policy was set to expire on February 28, 2025, the IRCC is ending the policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system,” the Canadian government said in a statement published on its website on Wednesday.

The IRCC was also aware that “some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorisation.”

It however noted that it would continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the policy.

The development is likely to have a huge impact on intending migrants including Nigerians who might want to explore the avenue to seek a stay in the country.

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The development is also coming amid tensions that heightened earlier this week when tens of thousands of international students took to the streets across Canada to protest new immigration policies introduced by the government that could see about 70,000 of them deported.

Canada is a destination for many Nigerians seeking greener pastures and education, especially in the wave of ‘Japa’ that has hit the country. (Punch)

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International

Abuse of Visa Laws: Nigerian Immigration Deports Zimbabwean Bishop

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Comptroller-General, NIS, Kemi Nandap

By Sule Musa

After discovering he misused his tourist visa and breached immigration protocols, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on August 24, 2024, repatriated Zimbabwean Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatawi for a violation of immigration laws. NIS apprehended Nhiwatawi in Yola, Adamawa State.

He entered Nigeria on August 21, 2024, using a Tourist Visa (F5A), strictly meant for tourism activities. However, authorities discovered him participating in the Methodist Church leadership election, which violated the visa terms under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2024. Read Also: NIS Suspends Mendicant Officer as FAAN Urges Reporting Misconduct

Following the infraction, the Comptroller General of NIS, with ministerial approval, immediately ordered his repatriation. The NIS emphasized that while it encourages lawful entry for investment and business activities, it will not tolerate any violation of immigration laws.

“The Service encourages lawful FDIs and business activities, recognizing their role in economic growth and development. However, it will not tolerate violations of immigration laws”, the statement signed by DCI Kenneth Udo, Service Public Relations Officer, stressed.

The NIS reiterated its commitment to safeguarding national security by closely monitoring the activities of foreign nationals.

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