Zambia’s president sworn in for second term

Zambia's incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema has been inaugurated for his second five-year term following a contentious election and the arrest of his principal rival on treason charges. Official results revealed that Hichilema secured 60% of the vote on August 13, while his closest competitor Brian Mundubile garnered 38%. Mundubile had contested the outcome, claiming that the election had been rigged, but his legal challenge was thwarted as courts were closed on the final day for filing cases.

Election monitors noted that while the voting process was generally peaceful, there were concerns regarding the tallying procedure. The European Union pointed out that tallying staff in numerous centers failed to record results on tally sheets as soon as the announcements were made, and highlighted weak verification between digital entries and paper records.

Additionally, security forces conducted a raid at a property in the capital, Lusaka, tied to Mundubile, resulting in the death of a former cabinet minister and the arrest of several opposition politicians, who denied the allegations. Hichilema did not address his opponent's detention during his inauguration speech, but emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, security, and stability, and encouraged the opposition to collaborate with his government for the nation's welfare.

African leaders from Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Tanzania joined thousands of Hichilema's supporters in celebrating the inauguration ceremony at the National Heroes Stadium in the capital. During his previous term, Hichilema oversaw the stabilization of Zambia's economy, which had defaulted on its international debt and experienced an annual inflation rate exceeding 24%.

Despite ongoing concerns about the rising cost of living, the president aims to transition from stabilization to growth in the upcoming five years, promising to serve as a servant president for all Zambians.