Zambia’s President, Hakainde Hichilema, secured a second consecutive 5-year term, facing a strong challenge from the opposition leader amid public discontent over ongoing struggles despite economic improvements. The election commission announced that Hichilema garnered around 60% of valid votes, while his main rival, Brian Mundubile, received approximately 38%.
Commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis 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 being the incumbent, whereas it was Mundubile’s first attempt to assume the presidency.
Throughout his campaign, the 64-year-old Hichilema emphasized his economic achievements since assuming office during a challenging period of pandemic-induced debt crisis in 2021. Zambia, known for its copper resources, has been a focal point of competition between global powers like China and the United States for its vital minerals.
Following a relatively calm prelude to the August 13 election, tensions escalated rapidly. International observers, including the European Union, noted that while the election itself was mostly peaceful, the overall electoral process occurred in a context that restricted fundamental freedoms.
In the aftermath of the election, authorities detained 11 individuals, including prominent opposition figures, in a raid that involved gunfire while Mundubile was present. Subsequently, the electoral commission halted vote counting for several hours due to reports of violence against polling staff and the theft of ballot papers.
Mundubile raised concerns about potential result tampering and called for an urgent independent investigation, a claim disputed by Hichilema’s camp. The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops also criticized the army’s involvement in the vote counting process, asserting that maintaining order during elections is the responsibility of the police.
Despite the opposition’s likely rejection of the election outcome and potential legal challenges, experts suggest that a successful challenge is improbable. While some localized political tensions may arise, widespread unrest is not anticipated in the days ahead.