Africa Intelligence Brief August 18, 2026: Who Gets To Stay
Zambia declares Hichilema with 60.5%, Congo's Ebola outbreak becomes the deadliest in its history, and 92 die on Lake Kariba. The post Africa Intelligence Brief August 18, 2026: Who Gets To Stay appeared first on The Rio Times .
Zambia's presidential election on 18 August 2026 resulted in Hakainde Hichilema being named president-elect by the country's commission. He received 2.97 million votes, or 60.5% of valid votes, against Brian Mundubile's 1.86 million (37.9%). Hichilema had run seven times for the presidency, while this was Mundubile's first attempt.
Five of the 226 constituencies had outstanding votes, but the chairperson stated this would not significantly impact the outcome. The European Union observation mission noted that while elections were generally peaceful, the broader electoral process took place in an environment that restricted fundamental freedoms. Contested by the European Union, the mission described the process as an uneven playing field.
In Kenya, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua filed an appeal against his impeachment, arguing that the removal could not be reversed due to violations of his constitutional rights. In Zimbabwe, a ferry capsized on Lake Kariba, resulting in the death of 92 people. In Rwanda, annual agricultural exports reached approximately $1.1 billion in the year to June, marking a 24% increase from the previous year.
Despite challenges, Uganda's media landscape saw its outlets reopen after being shut down by the military in June. The country has 7,871 licensed doctors per 6,400 people, indicating a relatively low doctor-to-population ratio. The Central Bank maintained a policy rate of 9.75% in July, with inflation considered contained.
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