Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has been sworn in for a second five-year term, pledging to build on what he described as the economic gains recorded during his first tenure.
Hichilema took the oath of office on Tuesday at a ceremony in Lusaka attended by thousands of supporters of his United Party for National Development (UPND), as well as several African leaders.
His inauguration followed a tense election in which the president secured about 60 per cent of the vote, according to official results, while his main challenger, former provincial minister Brian Mundubile, polled 38 per cent.
The election was overshadowed by allegations of intimidation, restrictions on opposition activities and pro-government bias, raising concerns about Zambia’s democratic record.
Mundubile, who finished second in the August 13 election, is currently in detention alongside his running mate, Makebi Zulu. Both men have been charged with treason, allegations they have denied.
Addressing supporters at the swearing-in ceremony, Hichilema said his administration would shift its focus from economic stabilisation to accelerated growth and wider opportunities.
“Having done the heavy lifting in our first term, the next five years are all about growth, expansion, opportunity and prosperity for all our people,” he said.
Hichilema, 64, has received praise for guiding Zambia through an economic recovery after the country defaulted on its sovereign debt in 2020.
His administration introduced market-oriented reforms, while inflation fell and foreign exchange reserves increased. The government also abolished the death penalty and introduced free primary and secondary education.
However, critics argue that the benefits of the economic recovery have yet to significantly improve living conditions for many Zambians.
“There is still a lot more to be done. And that’s what this mandate is all about,” Hichilema said, acknowledging the challenges posed by the rising cost of living.
“We are moving from stabilisation to growth, effectively. This means, in practice, broad expansion and for all our people to access opportunities, irrespective of their backgrounds.”
World Bank data indicates that more than 70 per cent of Zambia’s estimated 22 million people live on less than $3 a day.
The country’s economy remains heavily dependent on copper, which accounts for about 70 per cent of export earnings. China is both a major investor in Zambia and its largest bilateral creditor.
Tensions escalated following the election when security forces raided Mundubile’s residence on August 14, saying they were searching for a suspected militia allegedly posing a threat to national security.
Mundubile’s NRPUP alliance rejected the allegations.
A former cabinet minister was killed during the operation, while 11 people linked to Mundubile’s political camp were arrested.
Mundubile and Zulu later surrendered to police on August 27 and were subsequently charged with treason.
In his inauguration speech, Hichilema called for political differences to be managed without threatening the country’s peace and stability.
“Political differences are an inevitable part of a democracy, but the pursuit of political power must never come at the expense of peace, security, and stability in our country,” he said.
“It takes courage to offer oneself for public service… but it should never reach the point where it becomes a matter of life or death.”
Mundubile and Zulu have links to the Patriotic Front, the party formerly led by Edgar Lungu, Hichilema’s predecessor and long-time political rival.
Ironically, Hichilema himself was detained on treason charges during Lungu’s administration after being accused of failing to give way to the presidential motorcade. He spent four months in a maximum-security prison before the charges were eventually dropped.
Hichilema’s second term comes amid renewed debate over political freedoms in Zambia, with critics alleging that the space for dissent narrowed during his first five years in office.
Since gaining independence from Britain in 1964, Zambia has generally been regarded as one of southern Africa’s more stable democracies, with a record of peaceful transfers of power.
