Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema will take the oath for a second five-year term on Tuesday, even as his closest challenger remains in detention over treason allegations.
Hichilema, 64, won the August 13 election with about 60% of the vote, according to official results. Runner-up Brian Mundubile took 38% and has disputed the outcome, saying the vote was manipulated. He missed the deadline to file a court challenge after the courts were closed last week.
International observers noted that voting day was mostly calm. But the EU mission flagged issues with how results were handled. In many counting centers, staff did not write results on tally sheets immediately, and there was poor matching between digital and paper records. Returning officers also paused work repeatedly while waiting for instructions from HQ.
Tensions rose right after the election. Security forces raided a Lusaka property linked to Mundubile. A former cabinet minister was killed in the raid and several opposition figures were arrested. Authorities said they had uncovered plans for an armed uprising. The opposition denied this.
Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu went into hiding, reportedly at a UN facility in Lusaka. Both were picked up by police last week and charged over the weekend.
Hichilema first took office in 2021 after Zambia defaulted on its debt and inflation topped 24%. He told the BBC before the vote that he inherited “a broken-down country” and a shrinking economy. As a former businessman, he renegotiated the debt and restored ties with foreign lenders. Inflation has since eased, though many Zambians still feel the pressure of high prices.
Now he says his focus is to build on what he started in his first term.
Leaders from Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Tanzania are expected at the inauguration at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka. Hichilema will be sworn in with Vice President Mutale Nalumango.
