Zambia’s president Hakainde Hichilema is due to be sworn in for a second five‑year term on Tuesday, following a disputed election that saw him win 60% of the vote.
He was declared the winner on 13 August, a result that was challenged by his main rival, Brian Mundubile, who received 38% of the vote and alleged that the outcome had been tampered with. Mundubile was unable to mount a legal challenge because courts were sealed off on the final day a case could be filed.
Election observers noted that polling day was largely peaceful, but raised questions about the vote‑tallying process. European Union observers reported that staff in many tallying centres did not record results on tally sheets as soon as they were announced, and cited weak verification between digital entries and paper records. Returning officers also paused proceedings while awaiting instructions from headquarters.
Following the election, security forces raided a property in Lusaka linked to Mundubile, killing a former cabinet minister and arresting several opposition politicians. The authorities accused the opposition of planning an armed insurrection, which they denied.
Both Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, were detained last week and charged over the weekend. They had gone into hiding during this period.
When Hichilema first took office in 2021 after a landslide victory, Zambia had recently defaulted on its international debt and an annual inflation rate of more than 24% was prevailing. He has negotiated a restructuring of the debt, rebuilt relations with foreign creditors and lowered inflation, although prices continue to rise and many still struggle with the cost of living.
Hichilema now aims to build on the foundations he laid over the past five years. Presidents from Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Tanzania are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony at’ the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Hichilema will be sworn in alongside his running mate, Mutale Nalumango.
