Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has been sworn in for a second five-year term following a disputed election. As well as the detention of his main challenger on treason charges.
Hichilema secured 60% of the vote in the 13 August election, according to official results, while his main opponent, Brian Mundubile, received 38%.
Mundubile has alleged that the election result was manipulated. However, he was unable to mount a legal challenge after courts were sealed off on the final day for filing an electoral petition.
Election observers said voting was largely peaceful but raised concerns about aspects of the vote-counting process.
European Union observers reported that staff at several tallying centres did not immediately record announced results on tally sheets. They also cited weak verification between digital entries and paper records.
The observers further said returning officers frequently suspended proceedings while waiting for instructions from the electoral headquarters.
Opposition Figures Detained
The political tensions intensified after security forces raided a property in Lusaka linked to Mundubile the day after the election. The operation resulted in the death of a former cabinet minister and the arrest of several opposition politicians.
Authorities accused opposition figures of planning an armed insurrection, an allegation they denied. Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, subsequently went into hiding before being detained by police last week. They were charged over the weekend.
Hichilema did not directly address his opponent’s detention during his inauguration speech. Instead, he stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in Zambia.
“The pursuit of political power must never come at the expense of peace, security and stability in our country,” he said.
“Democracy does not require us to agree on everything. It requires us to respect one another even when we disagree.”
The president also called on the opposition to cooperate with his administration. “When you have a good idea, we will listen to you,” he said.
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