Zambia's opposition leader Mundubile charged with treason

Zambia's opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason, his lawyer Milner Katolo announced on Saturday night. The charge came amid heightened political tensions following the country's recent presidential election, which incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema won, securing 60% of the vote against Mundubile's 38%.

Following the election, authorities accused Mundubile's NRPUP party of planning an armed insurgency, a claim the party denied. Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu were arrested after authorities raided a property in Lusaka, killing a former cabinet minister and arresting several other politicians. The opposition leader, who had disputed the election results, had sought refuge at a United Nations building before being detained. Katolo stated that Mundubile would answer the treason accusation in court.