Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has been sworn in for a second term following an election that returned him to office but also drew criticism over alleged irregularities and the treatment of opposition figures.
According to Reuters, Hichilema began his new term on Tuesday after winning the August 13 election, while his main rival, Brian Mundubile, remained in prison facing treason charges.
The election marked another victory for Hichilema, who first came to power in 2021 after campaigning on promises of democratic reform and a break from practices he had criticised under the previous government.
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However, local and international election observers reported several concerns surrounding the latest vote, including alleged changes to vote tallies, arrests of opposition lawmakers, the presence of soldiers at polling stations and restrictions on access to the courts.
Observers said there were indications that votes had been added to Hichilema’s tally, although their assessments also concluded that he would still have won the election without those disputed votes.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia told Reuters that allegations of discrepancies should be examined by the courts. However, access to the courts was restricted as the deadline for filing an election challenge approached, and authorities later said no complaint had been received.
Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, were charged with treason shortly before Hichilema’s inauguration. Several other opposition members have also been detained in connection with what authorities described as suspected national security threats.
Authorities have provided limited details about the allegations, while lawyers representing the accused have said they will defend the charges in court.
Historian Euston Chiputa warned that the confusion surrounding the vote had placed Zambia’s democratic reputation under pressure, pointing to the suspension of vote counting, military presence at counting centres and subsequent opposition arrests.
Despite the political controversy, investor confidence in Zambia has remained relatively strong.
Since the election, Zambia’s eurobonds have returned 0.8% in dollar terms, outperforming the 0.3% African average, according to JPMorgan bond index data. Citi also upgraded Zambia’s international bonds and indicated plans to increase its exposure to local government debt.
Hichilema’s first term included the restructuring of Zambia’s debt and an economic recovery that strengthened his appeal among investors seeking policy continuity.
Zambia’s economic and strategic importance has also drawn international attention. As a major copper producer, the country has become an important part of competition between China and the United States for access to critical minerals. Both governments congratulated Hichilema and sent representatives to his inauguration.
What This Means For Africa
Hichilema’s second term begins with a contrast between Zambia’s improving economic position and concerns about the strength of its democratic institutions.
The country has long been viewed as one of Southern Africa’s more competitive political systems, making the allegations surrounding the election especially significant.
For investors, continued economic stability and policy consistency remain attractive. However, analysts warn that weak institutions and unresolved political disputes could eventually affect the long-term investment environment.
The coming years will therefore test Hichilema’s ability to build on Zambia’s economic recovery while addressing concerns over political competition, opposition rights and confidence in the country’s electoral institutions.
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