Zambia elects first woman as parliament speaker

Nelly Mutti, a lawyer based in Lusaka, was elected unopposed to replace Patrick Matibini.

Zambia’s parliament has elected its first female speaker, more than a week after longtime opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in as the country’s new president. Nelly Mutti, a lawyer based in the capital, Lusaka, was elected unopposed on Friday to replace Patrick Matibini, a retired high court judge who served as speaker for 10 years. His tenure ended after the August 12 election that saw Hichilema defeat incumbent President Edgar Lungu.