Hichilema Re-elected as Zambian President

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has won re-election for a second term after securing about 60 per cent of the votes cast in last Thursday’s presidential election.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia announced the result on Tuesday, confirming Hichilema’s victory over his closest challenger, Brian Mundubile, who secured nearly 38 per cent of the vote.

The 64-year-old Hichilema, who came to power in 2021, was seeking another five-year term in an election that featured 13 presidential candidates.

Although five of Zambia’s 226 constituencies were yet to be tallied when the result was announced, Electoral Commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis said the outstanding results were not expected to materially alter the overall outcome.

In his victory message, Hichilema thanked voters for their confidence and extended an olive branch to those who supported the opposition.

“We are truly humbled by the trust you have placed in our hands,” he said.

He added that citizens who supported his opponents would also be served by his administration.

“To those citizens who preferred the ideas presented by our opponents, we hear you, and we will continue to work for you,” he said.

His supporters subsequently took to the streets of the capital, Lusaka, dressed in the red colours of his United Party for National Development, singing, dancing and celebrating his victory.

Opposition Raises Allegations

While the election was largely peaceful on voting day, the process was preceded by accusations of intimidation, arrests, violence and restrictions against opposition parties.

Mundubile, who was making his first presidential bid, alleged irregularities in the counting process and claimed that documents containing results may have been tampered with.

He also alleged that officials in Southern Province were pressured to modify figures, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claims.

The opposition’s concerns came after the electoral commission temporarily suspended vote counting following reports of violence against election officials and the alleged theft of ballot papers.

Counting later resumed after the commission said the security threat had been contained.

International observers, including the European Union, expressed concern that the suspension and restrictions on opposition activities during the campaign could affect confidence in the electoral process.

Opposition Figures Arrested

Tensions also escalated after Zambian authorities announced the arrest of 11 people, including six opposition figures, during a raid over alleged “militia activity”.

The government said those arrested were found with high-grade military weapons, ammunition and other materials allegedly intended for an armed insurrection.

Mundubile’s opposition alliance rejected the allegations, describing them as false and denying any involvement in militia or insurgent activities.

The opposition also alleged that shots were fired during a police raid at Mundubile’s home and that a parliamentarian was injured.

Economic Record Tested

Hichilema’s re-election comes after a first term marked by efforts to stabilise Zambia’s economy following the country’s debt crisis.

His government has highlighted debt restructuring, lower inflation, economic growth, increased investment and reforms in the education and social welfare sectors as major achievements.

Zambia has also attracted significant investment into its copper industry, which remains central to the country’s economy.

However, critics argue that the economic improvements have not sufficiently translated into better living conditions for ordinary Zambians.

The cost of living remained a major issue during the campaign, with opposition candidates accusing the government of failing to ensure that the benefits of economic growth reached the wider population.

Pressure On Hichilema

Hichilema’s second term will therefore be closely watched as he seeks to turn macroeconomic improvements into higher incomes, employment and better living standards.

The election also comes amid concerns over democratic freedoms and the treatment of opposition figures. Rights groups and opposition parties have accused the government of restricting political activities, allegations the administration has rejected.

Despite the tensions surrounding the election, Zambia retains a long history of peaceful transfers of power through elections since the return to multiparty politics in 1991.

Hichilema’s victory now gives him another five years to pursue his economic programme while facing pressure to address the cost-of-living challenges that remain a major concern among Zambians.