Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has secured a second five-year term after winning more than 60 per cent of votes in the country’s August 13 presidential election, according to official results announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia early Tuesday.
Hichilema defeated his main challenger, Brian Mundubile, after a closely watched election that was dominated by debates over Zambia’s economic recovery, the cost of living and allegations of intimidation during the campaign and vote-counting process. Reuters reported that Hichilema won about 60 per cent of the vote, while Mundubile secured about 38 per cent.
The victory gives Hichilema another term to pursue his economic reform programme after his administration oversaw Zambia’s emergence from a sovereign debt crisis inherited when he took office in 2021. His government completed major debt restructuring efforts and brought inflation under greater control, although many Zambians continue to face pressure from high living costs and unemployment.
Hichilema, 64, presented the election as a referendum on his record of stabilising the copper-rich country’s economy. His government has also sought to attract investment into mining and expand copper production, a sector that remains central to Zambia’s economy and export earnings.
However, the election was not without controversy.
Vote counting was temporarily suspended after electoral officials reported attacks on staff and the theft of ballot papers. The Electoral Commission later resumed the process under heightened security.
The opposition also alleged intimidation and irregularities surrounding the election. Authorities arrested 11 people, including senior opposition figures, on election night over what the government described as suspected militia or insurrection-related activity. Mundubile said an armed raid at his residence amounted to an attempt on his life, while the government rejected accusations that it was suppressing opponents.
Mundubile also questioned aspects of the tallying process and called for an investigation into alleged irregularities. Hichilema’s supporters rejected the accusations and maintained that the declared results reflected the choice of voters.
Hichilema first became president in 2021 after defeating then-incumbent Edgar Lungu, following several previous attempts at the presidency. His latest victory extends the United Party for National Development administration for another five years.
Attention will now turn to the priorities of Hichilema’s second term, including job creation, further economic expansion, securing a new programme with the International Monetary Fund and increasing investment in Zambia’s copper industry.
