LUSAKA, Zambia- Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema is being sworn in for a second five-year term on Tuesday, weeks after winning a disputed presidential election and days after his main challenger, Brian Mundubile, was detained on treason charges.
Hichilema secured about 60% of the vote in the August 13 presidential election, according to official results, defeating Mundubile, who received about 38%. Mundubile rejected the outcome and alleged irregularities in the election process.
The inauguration is taking place at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka after Zambia’s Cabinet Office announced that no presidential petition had been filed within the constitutional seven-day period.
The swearing-in was therefore scheduled for September 1 in accordance with Article 105 of Zambia’s Constitution.
The ceremony comes against a backdrop of heightened political tensions following the arrest of Mundubile, who was detained alongside his running mate, Makebi Zulu.
Mundubile was initially questioned by police over an alleged treason offence before being formally charged, according to his lawyer.
Both men remained in detention, with the details of the alleged offence not publicly disclosed.
Mundubile had challenged the election result and raised allegations concerning the tallying process.
His detention has intensified scrutiny of the political environment surrounding Hichilema’s second term.
The election itself was largely peaceful on polling day, but opposition figures and some observers raised concerns about aspects of the electoral process.
Hichilema’s government has rejected allegations that the election result was fraudulent.
Ruto among regional leaders attending
Kenyan President William Ruto is among the leaders attending Hichilema’s inauguration.
Ruto departed Nairobi on Tuesday morning for Lusaka to represent Kenya at the ceremony.
Ruto had earlier congratulated Hichilema on his re-election, saying Kenya valued its relationship with Zambia and expressing confidence that Hichilema’s renewed mandate would strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
Other foreign dignitaries are also attending the ceremony, which marks the beginning of Hichilema’s second term in office.
Hichilema first became president in 2021 after defeating then-President Edgar Lungu.
His administration has focused on economic stabilisation, debt restructuring, mining-sector recovery and expansion of social programmes.
His second term is expected to run until 2031, with the government highlighting manufacturing, energy security, agriculture and social investment among its priorities.
