Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile charged with treason

Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been charged with treason, his lawyer announced on Saturday night. Mundubile was arrested on Thursday after a deadly raid by authorities led him to go into hiding. He had disputed the results of the 13 August presidential election, which saw incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema win a second term. The authorities accused Mundubile's NRPUP party of planning an armed insurgency, which it denied. Mundubile's lawyer Milner Katolo said 17 others, including running mate Makebi Zulu, were also charged with treason. Mundubile gained 38% of the vote, while Hichilema secured 60%. After the poll, security forces raided a property in Lusaka linked to Mundubile, killing a former cabinet minister and arresting several politicians. The government said they seized weapons. Mundubile and Zulu had taken refuge at a UN building but were detained after pressure on the UN. The opposition was unable to mount a legal challenge as courts were sealed off on the final day for filing. Hichilema is due to be sworn in on 1 September. Observers described election day as peaceful, but Zambia's Human Rights Commission has called for accountability over missing persons.