(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY HARUMENDHAH HELMY

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

Zambia has found a new president in opposition leader Michael Sata. Despite a period of post-election violence, Al Jazeera’s report shows his supporters’ euphoria.

“Violence due to delayed results and suspected vote rigging has tainted the election. But despite two more deaths on Thursday, attention turns now to the winner, and expectations are high for Sata’s supporters. They are celebrating, the horns are blaring, they are saying, this is the first time the opposition has won in 20 years.”

The BBC focused its report on the outgoing President Rupiah Banda--who’s taking his defeat rather graciously.

Reporter: “For you, what do you think you went wrong? Because everybody thought you had the advantage, you’re going to win... Where did all go unraveled?”

Former Zambian President Rupiah Banda: “I don’t know... We need to study this. Maybe we didn’t understand what the people wanted. I don’t want to blame anybody but ourselves. We worked very hard. Perhaps we didn’t see the writings of the wall, maybe the people wanted the change and they’ve got it now.”

The New York Times says Zambia’s fairly smooth power transition is refreshing for Africa--a region that’s seen its fair share of post-election violence.

“Kenya exploded in violence in 2007 after a deeply flawed election kept the president in power, and Robert Mugabe’s refusal to give up the reins in Zimbabwe in 2008 set off nationwide bloodshed. In Ethiopia in 2005, government forces gunned down hundreds of opposition supporters after a contested election.”

Zambia is Africa’s largest copper producer. With 70 percent of the population living below the poverty line, Sata built his campaign platform on job creation and better distribution of copper wealth. (Video: Al Jazeera)

Sata used his inauguration ceremony to warn foreign investors to abide by Zambia’s labor laws -- but also vows to maintain and welcome business partnerships. The Christian Science Monitor suggests -- the market might need more convincing.

“Despite his reassurances, markets were rocked by the announcement. Investors began selling off Zambian currency ... signaling nervousness that Zambia would become a riskier investment climate under the populist president with strong opinions on foreign investment.”

Nicknamed King Cobra, Sata is known for his outspoken, fiery speeches and his criticism against China’s extensive investment in Zambia’s copper industry.