Zambia’s Hichilema re-elected though cost-of-living pressures dent his support

Lusaka, August 18 - President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia has secured a second term in office, according to early election results. However, opposition leader Brian Mundubile managed to make a surprising impact, benefiting from widespread dissatisfaction despite economic improvements. Hichilema secured around 60% of the valid votes, while his opponent garnered 38%. This marks Hichilema's seventh presidential campaign, while Mundubile is making his first run for the office.

The 64-year-old incumbent highlighted his economic management since he assumed power during the pandemic-induced debt crisis in 2021. On the flip side, Mundubile argued that these positive economic trends had not significantly improved people's everyday lives.

Zambia's economy is heavily dependent on copper, making it a focal point of competition between China and the United States for these critical minerals.

Post-election, the atmosphere became tense quickly. On the night of the poll, authorities arrested 11 people including key opposition figures in a raid involving some gunfire. The following day, the electoral commission halted the vote-counting process due to reports of violence towards poll workers and stolen ballot papers. The opposition leader Mundubile alleged potential manipulation of the results and demanded a thorough independent investigation. Hichilema's team, however, dismissed these allegations.

The opposition is unlikely to accept these results and could potentially challenge them legally, although success is doubtful according to Greg Musiker, a Zambia analyst at advisory firm Signal Risk. While localized political violence may occur in the days to come, a widespread unrest is not anticipated.