Zambia’s Hichilema begins second term amid disputed vote and arrests

Hakainde Hichilema began his second and final term as Zambia’s president promising that ordinary people would finally feel the benefits of an economic recovery that he says has placed the country on firmer ground. His inauguration in Lusaka, however, came amid questions over the August 13 election and arrests of opposition figures, including his main rival, Brian Mundubile.

Official results gave Hichilema about 60% of the vote, compared with roughly 38% for Mundubile. Mundubile rejected the outcome and alleged irregularities. The European Union Election Observation Mission said voters had a competitive choice, but described the contest as taking place on an uneven playing field. It also said transparency in the tabulation process deteriorated significantly after the counting was temporarily suspended.

The observers did not conclude that Hichilema had lost. Their assessment nonetheless casts a shadow over the start of a second term for a president who took office in 2021 promising to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and state institutions. Opposition figures have been arrested and charged with treason, adding to the political unease after the vote.

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We know that many of our families have challenges with the cost of living and that the benefits of our stabilisation have not yet been felt at every level.

Hichilema has economic progress to highlight. Zambia defaulted on its sovereign debt in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, but his government later oversaw a major debt restructuring and worked with the International Monetary Fund on reforms. Those efforts helped restore investor confidence and attract new investment, especially in mining.

Zambia’s copper production gives the economic changes wider importance as countries seek supplies of copper and other minerals for the global energy transition. But many Zambians still face high food and energy costs. The removal of fuel subsidies has added pressure to household budgets, while Mundubile argued during the campaign that the recovery had not reached enough people. Hichilema acknowledged the frustration at his inauguration, saying, “We know that many of our families have challenges with the cost of living and that the benefits of our stabilisation have not yet been felt at every level.” He added, “Economic growth must mean something at the dinner table to all our people.”

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Economic growth must mean something at the dinner table to all our people.