Zambia's Lungu: 'ordinary' but tough on opponents

Lusaka (AFP) - Zambia's newly re-elected president, Edgar Lungu, likes to portray himself as a man of the people, but observers see a sharp edge that he reserves for rivals and critics.

Lungu, 59, a trained military officer and lawyer, defeated his main opponent and erstwhile colleague Hakainde Hichilema by around 2.5 percent of the vote in a fiercely-fought contest.

The Patriotic Front leader cut his political teeth as a little-known lawmaker at the United Party for National Development (UPND), the party led by Hichilema. Lungu quit the UPND in 2001.

He came into power in 2015, after the death in office of his predecessor Michael Sata.

He has used his short stint in office to present himself as the rightful heir to Sata, who enjoyed widespread popularity. He describes himself as an "ordinary Zambian of humble beginnings."

"Although he has demonstrated some humbleness, he is not really liked across the country but remains popular within his party," said political analyst Oliver Saasa.

"Lungu is fairly harsh in dealing with those who appear to be against him, that has come up on a few occasions," Saasa said.

"That is not the way a president is supposed to present himself."

His tough stance against critical independent media coincided with the closure of The Post newspaper in July.

On the campaign trail, in warning to political rival and activists, he told a meeting in the key election battleground of Copperbelt province: "If they push me against the wall, I will sacrifice democracy for peace."

An opposition leader was earlier this month was charged with defamation for comments he made against Lungu almost a year ago, when he accused him of partying at the taxpayers expense.

On social issues, Lungu revealed a conservative side after the arrest of two Zambian gay men in 2013.

"Those advocating gay rights should go to hell," he said. "That issue is foreign to this country."

Born in 1956 in Chadiza in eastern Zambia, Lungu is from the minority Nsenga ethnic group, but he often describes himself as a non-tribal Zambian from an unexceptional background.

Lungu graduated with a law degree from the University of Zambia in 1981 and also underwent training as a military officer.

When the PF first came to power in 2011, he became home affairs minister.

After two previous presidents of Zambia died in office, his health has been in focus.

Lungu suffers from recurring achalasia, a condition caused by narrowing of the oesophagus, and was flown to South Africa for treatment last year after collapsing in public.

He is married with six children, and is now a grandfather.