Zambia's Banda sworn in as president despite dispute

By Shapi Shacinda

LUSAKA (Reuters) - Centrist politician Rupiah Banda was sworn in as Zambia's president on Sunday, vowing to keep doors open to foreign investors after a disputed election victory over his populist rival.

Speaking shortly after a hastily arranged inauguration in the capital Lusaka, the pro-business Banda promised to follow in the footsteps of late President Levy Mwanawasa, whose death from a stroke in August triggered the October 29 election.

Defeated opposition leader Michael Sata and his Patriotic Front party branded the election a fraud and said they would challenge the result in court on Monday.

Zambia has been one of the most politically stable nations in Africa. However, a prolonged election dispute could unsettle investors at a time when Africa's largest copper producer is feeling the pinch from the global financial crisis.

Foreign lenders and investors have praised Mwanawasa for conservative fiscal policies credited with fuelling an economic boom in the mineral-rich southern African nation where growth has averaged 5 percent per year since 2002.

"We will continue to welcome foreign investors in mining and other sectors, for as long as they obey our laws, by continuing with our sound policies," Banda said to cheers from supporters after taking the oath of office.

"I promise to be an agent of continuity."

Banda won 40 percent of the 1.79 million votes cast on Thursday versus 38 percent for Sata, according to final results released by Zambia's electoral commission. A third candidate took the bulk of the remaining votes.

The margin of victory was 35,209 votes, and the opposition cried foul.

"Our stand is still that we do not recognize the election of Rupiah Banda as something reflecting the will of the people of Zambia," said Front spokesman Given Lubinda. "We are going to ask the court to grant an order to scrutinize and recount the votes."

Sata, who has strong support among workers and the poor, alleged fraud in 2006 when he lost the presidential election to Mwanawasa. This time has been more strident in his accusations, saying he will not accept Banda's victory.

OLIVE BRANCH

The opposition's suspicions were aroused by a late surge of votes that erased Sata's early lead. The Front said the poll was marked by discrepancies between vote tallies and the number of voters on registration lists.

Zambia's army had been placed on alert to quell potential violence and witnesses reported large numbers of armed police patrolling the streets in Lusaka after Banda pulled ahead in the race on Saturday night.

The police presence was reduced on Sunday, and there were no reports of unrest.