Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema secured a second term in office, with the opposition leader making significant gains amid public dissatisfaction over persistent challenges despite economic improvements. Official results unveiled in the early hours of Tuesday revealed Hichilema garnered around 60% of valid votes, while his main rival, Brian Mundubile, received approximately 38%.
Chairing the election commission, Mwangala Zaloumis declared Hichilema Hakainde S as the president-elect of Zambia on August 18, 2026. This marked Hichilema’s seventh presidential bid, expectedly benefiting from the advantages of incumbency, while Mundubile made his first attempt at the highest office.
Throughout his campaign, the 64-year-old Hichilema emphasized his economic achievements since assuming office during a debt crisis in 2021. Zambia, renowned for its copper wealth and sought after by global powers like China and the United States for its strategic minerals, played a pivotal role in the election narrative.
Following a relatively calm lead-up to the August 13 elections, tensions escalated rapidly. International observers, including the European Union, acknowledged the peaceful conduct of the election but highlighted limitations on fundamental freedoms during the broader electoral process.
The aftermath saw a flurry of events, including the arrest of 11 individuals, including key opposition figures, amid gunfire exchanges during a raid in the presence of Mundubile. Subsequent disruptions led to the suspension of vote-counting due to reported violence against polling staff and theft of ballot papers.
Mundubile raised concerns about potential result tampering, calling for an urgent independent inquiry, a claim refuted by Hichilema’s camp. The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed unease over the army’s involvement in the vote count, emphasizing the constitutional mandate of the police in maintaining order during elections.
Despite potential legal challenges from the opposition, experts suggest the likelihood of success is low. While isolated political unrest may occur, widespread turmoil is not anticipated in the aftermath of the election.
