World
Archived — This article has been archived. The information may be outdated.
Hichilema sworn in as Zambia opponent faces treason charge
BBC News··1 Sept
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in for a second five-year term on Tuesday after an August 13 vote he won with 60 percent. Runner-up Brian Mundubile, on 38 percent, alleged the tally was tampered with and later faced treason charges. European Union observers questioned tally-sheet recording and digital verification. Mundubile and running mate Makebi Zulu were detained last week.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Courts were sealed on the last day a legal challenge could be filed, blocking Mundubile's petition route.
- A Lusaka raid the day after polling killed a former cabinet minister, BBC reported.
- Inflation is lower than the above 24 percent rate Hichilema inherited, but prices are still rising.
What's Happening
- Authorities accused opposition figures of planning an armed insurrection; they denied it.
- Observers said polling day was largely peaceful while raising tallying concerns.
- Thousands of supporters gathered for the inauguration, BBC reported.
The Economy Hichilema Inherited
- Zambia had defaulted on international debt when he took office in 2021.
- He negotiated a debt restructuring and rebuilt creditor ties.
- He is 64 and entered office after a landslide five years ago.
all-news
