Zambia’s incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema secured a second consecutive 5-year term, facing unexpectedly stiff competition from the opposition leader amidst public discontent over persistent challenges despite an economic upturn. The election commission revealed that Hichilema garnered around 60% of valid votes, with his main rival Brian Mundubile receiving approximately 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 political position in the country. Throughout his campaign, the 64-year-old Hichilema highlighted his economic achievements since assuming office amidst a debt crisis in 2021, particularly emphasizing Zambia’s significance due to its wealth of copper and the strategic interests of China and the United States in its mineral resources.
Following a relatively calm pre-election period, tensions surged post the August 13 vote. International monitors, including the European Union, noted that while the election itself was largely peaceful, the overall electoral process was marred by constraints on fundamental freedoms. Amidst rising tensions, authorities arrested 11 individuals, including prominent opposition figures, in a raid that involved gunfire while Mundubile was present. Subsequently, the electoral commission temporarily halted the vote-counting process due to reports of violence against polling officials and the theft of ballot papers.
Mundubile raised concerns about potential result tampering and called for an independent investigation, a claim refuted by Hichilema’s camp. The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops also criticized the army’s involvement in the vote counting process, noting that such responsibilities should lie with the police force as per constitutional provisions.
While the opposition is expected to challenge the election results through legal avenues, the likelihood of a successful overturn is deemed low by experts. Despite the possibility of localized political unrest in the near future, broader nationwide disturbances are not anticipated, according to Greg Musiker, a Zambia analyst at advisory firm Signal Risk.
