Zambia's Hichilema Secures Second Term as President (2026-08-18)

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has been re-elected for a second five-year term, the country's electoral commission announced early Tuesday. The commission declared him the outright winner of last Thursday's presidential election, as he secured more than 51% of the vote, eliminating the need for a runoff.

Commission chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis said Hichilema received 2,965,326 votes, while his closest rival, opposition leader Brian Mundubile, trailed with 1,856,217 votes. "I therefore declare, Hichilema Hakainde S, to be president-elect of the Republic of Zambia this 18th day of August, 2026," Zaloumis stated.

The election was closely watched, with vote counting suspended last Friday and later resumed under heightened security. The commission cited attacks on polling station officials and the theft of some ballot papers as reasons for the disruption.

In a separate development, the government confirmed the arrest of several leading opposition figures on election night, with police alleging they posed a threat to state security. Mundubile claimed his home was raided by police, describing the incident as an attack on his life.