Zambia Has Elected Its First Woman Parliament Speaker, A Human Rights Lawyer And Anti-Corruption Activist
Lawyer Nelly Mutti has become the first woman Speaker of Zambia’s parliament.
Lawyer Nelly Mutti has become the first woman Speaker of Zambia’s parliament.
Mutti, a prominent human rights lawyer and former chairman of the country’s anti-corruption commission, was elected unopposed by the parliament on Friday Sep. 3.
She will replace Patrick Matibini, who had occupied the role of presiding over the parliament for 10 years.
Her election comes after opposition presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema defeated long-time president Edgar Lungu during the election in August.
President Hichilema said on Twitter on Sep. 3 that Mutti’s election illustrates the country’s desire to promote women leadership.
Hichilema had promised his people a “new dawn”.
Soon after his inauguration, he fired and reappointed several military, police and prison commanders. He has also allowed media publications that had been closed to re-open, and said he was committed to tackling the country’s debt crisis by focusing on “Recover, Repair and Revive”.
Mutti told the House she was humbled to be granted the opportunity, the Lusaka Times reported.
“It is therefore with great humility that I submit myself with the will of the House, I thank you,” she said.
She will be sworn in with the First and the Second Deputy Speakers and begin presiding over the first session of Zambia’s parliament on Sep. 10.
