Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema secured a second consecutive 5-year term, facing unexpectedly stiff competition from the opposition leader amid public discontent despite economic improvements. The election commission’s results, announced early on Tuesday, revealed Hichilema garnered around 60% of valid votes, with his main rival Brian Mundubile receiving approximately 38%.
Mwangala Zaloumis, the commission chairperson, officially declared Hichilema Hakainde S as the president-elect of Zambia on August 18, 2026. This marked Hichilema’s seventh presidential bid, with his victory widely anticipated due to the advantages of his incumbency, while Mundubile made his first attempt at the top position.
Throughout his campaign, the 64-year-old Hichilema emphasized his economic accomplishments since assuming office during the pandemic-induced debt crisis in 2021. Zambia, known for its abundance of copper, has been a focal point of competition between China and the United States due to its strategic mineral resources.
Following a relatively calm lead-up to the August 13 election, tensions surged swiftly. International observers, including the European Union, acknowledged the mostly peaceful conduct of the election but noted limitations on fundamental freedoms during the broader electoral process. The EU mission chief, Michael McNamara, highlighted late legal alterations, uncertainties, and unequal campaign conditions that skewed the fairness of the competition.
On election night, authorities apprehended 11 individuals, including prominent opposition figures, in a raid marked by gunfire exchanges in the presence of Mundubile. The electoral commission later paused vote counting for several hours due to reports of violence against polling personnel and the theft of ballot papers. Allegations of result tampering from polling stations prompted Mundubile to demand an urgent independent inquiry, which was refuted by Hichilema’s camp.
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed unease over the military’s involvement in the vote counting process, emphasizing that maintaining order during elections falls under the jurisdiction of the Zambia Police Service by law.
Despite the potential for legal challenges from the opposition, including allegations of irregularities, the chances of overturning the results are slim, according to Greg Musiker, a Zambia analyst at advisory firm Signal Risk. While isolated political disturbances might arise in the near future, widespread unrest is not anticipated.
