Zambia's President Hichilema to be sworn in for second term amid disputed election and opponent's detention

Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema is due to be sworn in for a second five-year term on Tuesday following a disputed election and the arrest of his main opponent on treason charges. Hichilema, credited with stabilising the economy, swept to victory on 13 August with 60% of the vote, according to official results. Runner-up Brian Mundubile, who received 38%, alleged that the outcome had been tampered with. He was unable to mount a legal challenge as the courts were sealed off last week on the final day a case could be filed. Election observers said polling day was largely peaceful, but some raised questions about the vote tallying process. The day after the poll, security forces raided a property in Lusaka linked to Mundubile, killing a former cabinet minister and arresting opposition politicians. The authorities accused the opposition of planning an armed insurrection, which they denied. Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, had gone into hiding, were detained by police last week, and charged at the weekend. Hichilema, 64, came into office in 2021 after a landslide victory, inheriting a country that had defaulted on its international debt and had high inflation. He negotiated debt restructuring and rebuilt relations with creditors. Inflation has come down, but prices are still rising. Several African leaders are expected to attend the inauguration at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.