Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has been sworn in for a second five-year term following a disputed election and the arrest of his main political opponent on charges of treason.
Hichilema, 64, won 60% of the vote in the August 13 election, according to official results, while his closest rival, Brian Mundubile, won 38%. Mundubile has alleged that the election result was rigged, but was unable to challenge it in court after the courts were closed on the last day to file the case.
Election observers also raised concerns about aspects of the vote counting process. European Union observers said results were not always recorded in the minutes immediately after being announced and that verification between digital and paper records was sometimes weak.
Political tensions increased after the election, when security forces raided a property in Lusaka linked to Mundubile. During the operation a former cabinet minister was killed and several opposition politicians were arrested. Authorities accused the opposition of planning an armed uprising, a claim they denied.
Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, later went into hiding before being detained by police and charged.
During his inauguration at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, Hichilema did not directly refer to his opponent’s arrest. Instead, he called for political differences to be handled peacefully.
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“The pursuit of political power should never come at the expense of peace, security and stability in our country,” he said.
He also urged the opposition to cooperate with his government, saying democracy requires people to respect each other even when they disagree.
Thousands of fans gathered at the stadium to celebrate the opening, while several African leaders attended the ceremony, including the presidents of Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Tanzania.
Hichilema first came to power in 2021 after defeating then-president Edgar Lungu. At the time, Zambia was facing a major economic crisis after defaulting on its international debt, while annual inflation had risen above 24%.
During his first term, Hichilema’s government negotiated a restructuring of the country’s debt and improved relations with international creditors. Inflation has fallen, although many Zambians continue to face high costs of living.
The president said his second term would focus on economic growth and improving prosperity.
“Having done the heavy lifting in our first term, the next five years will be one of growth and prosperity for all our people,” Hichilema said.
He was sworn in alongside his running mate, Mutale Nalumango, as his government begins a second term amid continuing political tensions over disputed elections and the detention of opposition figures.
(BBC News)
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