Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema secured a second consecutive 5-year term in office, facing a formidable challenge from the opposition leader amid public discontent over persistent challenges despite economic improvements. The election commission announced Hichilema garnered around 60% of valid votes, with his main rival Brian Mundubile trailing at 38%.
Commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis officially declared Hichilema as the president-elect of Zambia on August 18, 2026. This marked Hichilema’s seventh attempt at the presidency, with his victory widely anticipated given the advantages of being the incumbent, while Mundubile made his debut bid for the top leadership position.
Throughout his campaign, the 64-year-old Hichilema emphasized his economic achievements since assuming office amid a debt crisis in 2021, particularly highlighting Zambia’s significance in the global competition for critical minerals between China and the United States.
Following a relatively calm pre-election period leading up to the August 13 polls, tensions quickly escalated post-election. International observers, including the European Union, acknowledged the overall peaceful conduct of the election but raised concerns about restrictions on fundamental freedoms during the electoral process.
On election night, authorities arrested 11 individuals, including key opposition figures, in a raid that involved gunfire in the presence of Mundubile. The electoral commission later paused vote-counting due to reported violence against polling staff and the theft of ballot papers. Mundubile alleged potential result tampering and demanded an independent investigation, a claim disputed by Hichilema’s team.
The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed unease over the army’s involvement in the vote counting, emphasizing that maintaining order during elections falls under the jurisdiction of the Zambia Police Service as per constitutional provisions.
While the opposition is expected to contest the election results through legal avenues, the likelihood of a successful challenge remains uncertain, according to Greg Musiker, a Zambia analyst at advisory firm Signal Risk. Despite potential localized political unrest, widespread disturbances are not anticipated in the coming days.